<p>I am not sure, but I think "in 5 minutes" here doesn't mean "5分钟后". For example, now it's 00:12.</p>

<p>When I say "I will be back in 5 minutes", I mean "I will have come back by 00:17. I probably come back at 00:13, or 00:14". In this case, I will say, in Chinese, "我5分钟内回来“。</p>

<p>When I say "I will be back 5 minutes later". I mean "I will be back at 00:17,". In this case, I will say, in Chinese, "我5分钟后回来“。</p>

<p>Please correct me if I misunderstand "in 5 minutes" and "5 minutes later".</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T13:45:52.657Z
Your understanding is perfect!
杨以轩
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T19:45:08.467Z
I don't agree. If I say "I'll be back in 5 minutes" at 00:12, I'm saying I'll be back at 00:17.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T03:37:31.600Z
@StumpyJoePete, strictly speaking, "in" means [within](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/in?s=t) a certain time period, but usage wise I tend to agree with you.
杨以轩
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-04T03:40:55.463Z
I'm just saying that that is how I use it. I can't tell you how other English speakers interpret it, but for me, it's definitely `过X分钟之后`
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T13:30:05.990Z
2012-09-03T13:30:05.990Z
Huang
<p>I believe this sentence should be translated as "I will be back after 5 mins"</p>

<p>"I'll be back in 5 minutes" should be</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我在五分钟内回来</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-28T01:39:45.127Z
I think the latter should be "I'll be back *within* five minutes."
Becky 李蓓
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T19:45:34.137Z
I don't agree. If I say "I'll be back in 5 minutes" at 00:12, I'm saying I'll be back at 00:17.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-03T03:45:15.243Z
2012-09-22T04:08:34.880Z
2012-09-22T04:08:34.880Z
InitialB
<p>My take:-</p>

<p>(a)  我五分钟后就回来 --- I'll be back in 5 minutes.</p>

<p>The "后" here does not mean "after" 5 minutes, but after whatever time I left the place.</p>

<p>(b)  我在五分钟之内就回来 ---   I'll be back within 5 minutes.</p>

<p>"在...之内", generally to denote "within".</p>

<p>(c)  我五分钟过后就回来   ---   I'll be back after 5 minutes.</p>

<p>The "过后" denotes passing "beyond" the event.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-28T06:31:52.947Z
2019-12-28T06:31:52.947Z
Wayne Cheah
<p>"I'll be back in 5 minutes" is the only correct translation for this sentence. </p>

<p>"I came back 5 minutes ago" is </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我5分钟前就回来了。</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-27T19:46:23.113Z
Welcome to the site, and thanks for your answer.
Don Kirkby
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-02T00:08:55.063Z
2012-09-02T00:08:55.063Z
nfang
<p>My newsletter says this sentence</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我五分钟后就回来。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>is translated as "I'll be back in 5 minutes".</p>

<p>I am curious to know whether this sentence could be translated as "I came back 5 minutes ago", or does it need to be changed? If so, how and why?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-02T16:48:11.853Z
Did you mean to ask if it could also be "I came back 5 minutes later."? That would be a more interesting question.
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-09-08T15:55:07.100Z
@StumpyJoePete: I did not, but it is an interesting question!
dr Hannibal Lecter
<grammar><meaning-in-context><ambiguity>
Is 我五分钟后就回来 ambiguous out of context?
# Is 我五分钟后就回来 ambiguous out of context?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-09-01)

My newsletter says this sentence

> 我五分钟后就回来。

is translated as "I'll be back in 5 minutes".

I am curious to know whether this sentence could be translated as "I came back 5 minutes ago", or does it need to be changed? If so, how and why?

**Tags:** grammar, meaning-in-context, ambiguity

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Did you mean to ask if it could also be "I came back 5 minutes later."? That would be a more interesting question.  
> **username_0**: @username_1: I did not, but it is an interesting question!  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_7 on 2012-09-02. Score: 12 | Accepted answer

"I'll be back in 5 minutes" is the only correct translation for this sentence.

"I came back 5 minutes ago" is

> 我5分钟前就回来了。

> **Comments:**
> **username_8**: Welcome to the site, and thanks for your answer.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2012-09-03. Score: 3

I am not sure, but I think "in 5 minutes" here doesn't mean "5分钟后". For example, now it's 00:12.

When I say "I will be back in 5 minutes", I mean "I will have come back by 00:17. I probably come back at 00:13, or 00:14". In this case, I will say, in Chinese, "我5分钟内回来“。

When I say "I will be back 5 minutes later". I mean "I will be back at 00:17,". In this case, I will say, in Chinese, "我5分钟后回来“。

Please correct me if I misunderstand "in 5 minutes" and "5 minutes later".

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Your understanding is perfect!  
> **username_1**: I don't agree. If I say "I'll be back in 5 minutes" at 00:12, I'm saying I'll be back at 00:17.  
> **username_3**: @username_1, strictly speaking, "in" means [within](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/in?s=t) a certain time period, but usage wise I tend to agree with you.  
> **username_1**: I'm just saying that that is how I use it. I can't tell you how other English speakers interpret it, but for me, it's definitely `过X分钟之后`  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2012-09-03. Score: 2

I believe this sentence should be translated as "I will be back after 5 mins"

"I'll be back in 5 minutes" should be

> 我在五分钟内回来

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't agree. If I say "I'll be back in 5 minutes" at 00:12, I'm saying I'll be back at 00:17.  
> **username_5**: I think the latter should be "I'll be back *within* five minutes."  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2019-12-28. Score: 1

My take:-

(a) 我五分钟后就回来 --- I'll be back in 5 minutes.

The "后" here does not mean "after" 5 minutes, but after whatever time I left the place.

(b) 我在五分钟之内就回来 --- I'll be back within 5 minutes.

"在...之内", generally to denote "within".

(c) 我五分钟过后就回来 --- I'll be back after 5 minutes.

The "过后" denotes passing "beyond" the event.


---

