после vs через

posle vs cherez — after an event vs in a period from now

What it really means

"После" means after a named event, person, or time period and takes the genitive: после урока (after the lesson), после работы (after work). "Через" means after a measured interval from now or from another reference point and takes the accusative: через час (in an hour), через неделю (in a week).

Use после when you name what comes first. Use через when you count forward by an amount of time. "После урока" depends on the lesson ending; "через час" depends on one hour passing.

Examples in natural speech

После работы я иду домой.
I go home after work.
Мы поговорим после урока.
We will talk after the lesson.
Я позвоню через час.
I will call in an hour.
Через неделю мы уезжаем.
We are leaving in a week.
После экзамена она отдохнула.
She rested after the exam.
Через два дня будет выходной.
There will be a day off in two days.

Common mistakes

Do not use после with a bare number when you mean a countdown from now: "после час" is wrong; say "через час." Do not use через for an event such as work or a lesson: say "после работы" and "после урока." Remember the cases: после + genitive, через + accusative.

Memory tip

После follows an event; через follows an amount of time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between после and через in Russian?

После means after a named event or period and takes the genitive: после урока. Через means in or after a measured interval from now and takes the accusative: через час.

How do you say after work in Russian?

Say "после работы." После introduces the event that comes first and requires the genitive: работа becomes работы.

How do you say in two days in Russian?

Say "через два дня." Через counts forward from now by an amount of time and takes the accusative form of the time expression.

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