Translation guide
How to express 'after' in Japanese, covering time sequence, spatial following, and pursuit.
Expressing that one action or event occurs after another.
Used to say 'after doing V, ...'. The verb before から is in て-form. This pattern emphasizes the sequence of actions.
ご飯を食べてから、出かけます。
I'll go out after eating.
宿題をしてから、テレビを見ます。
I'll watch TV after doing my homework.
Used to say 'after doing V'. The verb before あとで is in past (た) form. This is a very common and neutral way to express 'after'.
映画を見たあとで、食事をしました。
After watching the movie, we had a meal.
仕事が終わったあとで、飲みに行きませんか。
After work is finished, shall we go for a drink?
Similar to あとで, but slightly more formal or written. Can be used interchangeably in many cases.
会議が終わったあと、すぐに報告書を書きます。
After the meeting ends, I will write the report immediately.
Used with nouns to mean 'after N'. The noun is followed by のあとで.
授業のあとで、図書館に行きます。
After class, I go to the library.
Used to express 'not until after doing V' or 'only after doing V'. Often followed by a negative or conditional.
実際に見てからでないと、信じられない。
I can't believe it until I see it with my own eyes.
Expressing that something happens after a specific time or event.
Means 'after' or 'later'. Can be used with time expressions or events.
10分後に戻ります。
I'll be back in 10 minutes.
その後、どうしましたか。
What did you do after that?
Means 'on and after' or 'since'. Used for time periods starting from a point. More formal than 後.
Expressing physical following or sequence in a line.
Means 'behind' or 'back'. Used for physical position.
彼は私の後ろに立っていた。
He was standing behind me.
Can also mean 'after' in a sequence or line.
彼は私の後に並んでいた。
He was standing in line after me.
Expressing the action of going after someone or something.
Verb meaning 'to chase' or 'to run after'.
犬が猫を追いかけている。
The dog is chasing the cat.
Literally 'follow after', meaning to pursue or follow someone.
Both mean 'after doing V', but てから emphasizes the order of actions more strongly. たあとで is more neutral and can be used when the second action is not directly dependent on the first. In many cases they are interchangeable.
手を洗ってから食べてください。
Please eat after washing your hands.
手を洗ったあとで食べてください。
Please eat after washing your hands.
後ろ (うしろ) only refers to physical behind. For time, use 後 (あと) or 以降 (いこう).
I will contact you again after next month.
彼は彼女の後を追って部屋を出た。
He followed her out of the room.