How to say "after" in Japanese
"After" in Japanese is 〜の後で (no ato de) after a noun, as in 会議の後で (after the meeting). After a verb, use the te-form plus から.
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Ways to say "after" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 〜の後で〜のあとで · no ato de | After (a noun or event). |
| 〜てから〜てから · te kara | After doing something (with a verb). |
| 後であとで · ato de | Later; afterward. |
How to use it
Like "about," the order is reversed: 昼ご飯の後で (hirugohan no ato de) is "after lunch."
With verbs, 食べてから (tabete kara) means "after eating." Alone, 後で (ato de) means "later," as in 後で電話します (I'll call you later).
Example sentences
- 会議の後で少し話せますか。Kaigi no ato de sukoshi hanasemasu ka.Can we talk for a bit after the meeting?
- 仕事が終わってから、ジムに行きます。Shigoto ga owatte kara, jimu ni ikimasu.I'm going to the gym after work.
- 後で電話します。Ato de denwa shimasu.I'll call you later.
- 昼ご飯の後でコーヒーを飲みましょう。Hirugohan no ato de kōhī o nomimashō.Let's have coffee after lunch.
- 資料を読んでから返事をします。Shiryō o yonde kara henji o shimasu.I'll reply after reading the materials.
- 授業の後で宿題をしました。Jugyō no ato de shukudai o shimashita.I did my homework after class.
Kanji in this word
Questions
How do you say "see you later" in Japanese?
You can say じゃあ、また後で (jā, mata ato de). To a coworker you will see later that day, また後で (mata ato de) is natural.
What is the difference between 後で and てから?
後で (ato de) follows a noun or stands alone. てから (te kara) follows a verb in the te-form, as in 食べてから (after eating).
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