两者均可表示“在…之后”,其区别是:
1. after 主要用于时间或次序,behind 主要用于位置:
He decided to leave after lunch. 他决定午饭后离开。
Summer comes after spring. 春去夏来。
The hospital is behind the post office. 医院在邮局后面。
【注】behind 有时也用于时间,表示“迟于”,主要用于behind time(迟,晚)这一习语:
The train was 20 minutes behind time. 火车晚点 20 分钟。
2. 两者都可用于引申义,after 侧重指追求、寻找、模仿等;而behind 则侧重指在背后、支持、落后等:
The police are after her. 警察在追捕她。
Many young people are after her. 许多年青人都追求她。
We are behind you completely. 我们完全支持你。
He is behind the others in maths. 他的数学不如别人。