Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 後で | ato de | [a̠to̞ de̞] (narrow) |
| のちに | nochini |
The phrase 後で is used to mean 'later' or 'after' in a temporal sense, typically when a speaker intends to do something at an unspecified later time within the same day or the near future. Other related forms include …の後ろに for describing the physical position 'behind' something, and 後に for expressing that something occurs subsequently or following in time.
Which one should you use?
後で is used in daily conversation to mean 'later,' whereas のちに is a more formal or literary way to express that something happened subsequently. Note that while both relate to time, you should use …の後ろに to express the physical position 'behind' an object, as 後で refers only to time.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 後で, the particle で functions to indicate the time or circumstance in which an action occurs.
How do you pronounce it?
ato de
Did you know?
- The word 後 is the root of 後輩 (kouhai), referring to a junior colleague. This defines the person's status based on the fact they arrived 'after' others.
- Japanese has a specific word 後出し (atodashi), which refers to the act of giving an answer 'after' seeing someone else's move, often used to describe cheating in games.
- Using the phrase あとで can sometimes be a polite way to delay a decision or a request without giving a direct 'no'.
Examples in context
- 仕事の後で、一杯どう？How about going out for a drink after work?This sentence is useful for suggesting an activity like a drink after work using 後で.Tatoeba #169135 by small_snow, translation #245352 by CK
- テレビを見た後で宿題するよ。I'll do my homework after I watch television.This sentence demonstrates using 後で to sequence two actions, such as watching television and doing homework.Tatoeba #201964 by bunbuku, translation #39175 by CK
- 仕事の後で会うのはどうかしら？How about we meet up after work?This sentence shows how to propose a meeting time using 後で.Tatoeba #9777026 by small_snow, translation #7356859 by Hybrid
- 私たちは授業の後に会議を開きます。We will have a meeting after the class.
- 食事のあとで映画を見ましょう。Let's watch a movie after the meal.
- ランチのあとで散歩しましょう。Let's take a walk after lunch.
- 仕事が終わったら、飲みに行きましょう。Let's go for a drink after work.
- 宿題をした後で友達と遊びました。I played with my friends after doing homework.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about a movie.
- 結衣 Yuiこの映画、後で見てもいい？Kono eiga, ato de mite mo ii?Can I watch this movie later?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいよ。時間がある時に見て。Ii yo. Jikan ga aru toki ni mite.Sure. Watch it when you have time.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとう。じゃあ、後で連絡するね。Arigatou. Jaa, ato de renraku suru ne.Thanks. Well, I'll contact you later.
- 大翔 Hiroto了解。待ってるよ。Ryoukai. Matteru yo.Got it. I'll be waiting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “after” translations and entries 後で, のちに, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
