食後
shokugo
The Japanese phrase for "after eating" is 食後 (shokugo).
食後 is used to refer to the period of time following a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the kanji 食 (eat/meal) and 後 (after/later).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
食後 is a formal, noun-based way to say 'after eating', 食べた後 is a more common, conversational way to express the same idea using a verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many sentences, the particle に is added to 食後 to function as an adverbial phrase meaning 'at the time of after eating'. 食後 is a compound noun and can be used directly as a subject or object in certain formal contexts, though it most often functions as a time marker.
How do you pronounce it?
shokugo
When do people say it?
Gochisousama deshita is a common formal expression used to show appreciation for a meal. Gochisousama is the shortened, informal version of Gochisousama deshita.
Did you know?
- In Japan, the phrase ごちそうさま used after eating is derived from the word for 'run around', as it originally referred to the effort the host spent running errands to gather ingredients for the meal.
- The phrase ごちそうさま is often spoken to a meal even if no one else is present, as it serves as a gesture of gratitude to the ingredients and the nature themselves.
- The kanji for 'after' in 食後, which is 後, is also used in the word for 'back' or 'rear' of a person or object, meaning the phrase literally places the meal in the 'rear' of the timeline.
Examples in context
- 食後に歯をみがきなさい。Brush your teeth after eating.This sentence demonstrates using 食後 to give an instruction regarding dental hygiene.Tatoeba #145873 by bunbuku, translation #1341297 by CK
- 昼食後、彼らは次の目的地に向かった。After eating lunch, they headed for their next destination.This sentence shows 食後 being used to establish a timeframe after a lunch meal.Tatoeba #126371 by bunbuku, translation #10773519 by end
- 食後に薬を飲んでください。shokugo ni kusuri o nonde kudasai.Please take your medicine after eating.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are discussing their schedule for the afternoon.
- 美咲 Misaki食後にコーヒーを飲みに行かない？shokugo ni kōhī o nomi ni ikanai?Do you want to go for coffee after eating?
- 蓮 Renいいですね。行きましょう。ii desu ne. ikimashō.That sounds good. Let's go.
- 美咲 Misaki近くにいいカフェがあるよ。chikaku ni ii kafe ga aru yo.There is a nice cafe nearby.
- 蓮 Ren楽しみです、美咲さん。tanoshimi desu, Misaki-san.I'm looking forward to it, Misaki.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
