What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the demonstrative その (that) and the noun 後 (after/later).
Which one should you use?
While その後 refers to a specific point in time, it can also be used to mean "since then" to describe a sequence of events. In casual, everyday conversation, you might hear そこから (from there/after that) or the more common conversational それから (after that/and then) when listing a sequence of events.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
その後 can be used in formal contexts to mean "after that" or "afterward." For more colloquial and common conversational settings, such as when listing things that happened in a sequence, それから is more frequent.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle で to create その後で emphasizes the phrase as a temporal marker, indicating that a specific action has been completed before the next one begins.
How do you pronounce it?
sonogo
Did you know?
- The word 後 can be read as nochi in poetic or archaic contexts. This reading is frequently found in traditional literature to evoke a sense of distant or nostalgic futures.
- In professional emails, その後 is often used in the phrase その後いかがでしょうか, which asks how a situation has developed. It is a polite way to check on progress without sounding pushy.
- In Japanese, the word for 'after' in その後 is actually written with the kanji 後, which is the same character used to mean 'behind' or 'back' in a physical sense.
Examples in context
- その後どうなるの？What happens after that?This sentence is useful for asking about subsequent events using その後.Tatoeba #11561704 by small_snow, translation #4499193 by CK
- その後で、わたしはホーチミンへ発ちます。After that, I'll leave for Saigon.This sentence shows how to use その後 to indicate a future departure.Tatoeba #553929 by Namikaze, translation #554238 by Scott
- 彼はその後、映画やドラマで多くの脇役を演じていきました。After that, he played many supporting roles in movies and dramas.This sentence demonstrates the use of その後 when describing a sequence of events in a career.Tatoeba #10901475 by small_snow, translation #11861281 by espamatics
- 会議が終わった後、その後の予定をお伺いいたします。After the meeting, I will inquire about the subsequent plans.
- レポートを提出しました。それから、プレゼンの準備を始めました。I submitted the report. After that, I started preparing for the presentation.
- 今日は買い物に行く。次は友達とランチに行こう。Today, I'll go shopping. After that, let's have lunch with friends.
- ドアが閉まった。その後、彼が助けてくれた。The door closed. After that, he helped me.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie they watched.
- 美咲 Misaki映画が終わったね。eiga ga owatta ne.The movie finished.
- 蓮 Renその後、どうする？sonoato, dou suru?After that, what should we do?
- 美咲 Misakiご飯を食べに行こう！gohan o tabe ni ikou!Let's go eat something!
- 蓮 Ren賛成。あのお店に行こう。sansei. ano omise ni ikou.I agree. Let's go to that shop.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry その後, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
