Translation guide
The English word "behind" has several distinct meanings. It can refer to physical location at the back of something, being late or delayed, being the cause or support for something, or being less advanced. This guide breaks down these uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
Describing something that is physically at the back of or to the rear of something else.
The most common and neutral word for 'behind' as a location. Used for people, objects, and abstract positions.
彼は私の後ろに立っている。
He is standing behind me.
家の後ろに庭があります。
There is a garden behind the house.
More formal or technical term for 'rear' or 'behind'. Often used in written language or official contexts.
後方に注意してください。
Please be careful of the rear.
Refers to the back side of something, like a building or a piece of paper. Often implies the opposite side or hidden side.
建物の裏に駐車場がある。
There is a parking lot behind the building.
紙の裏に書いてください。
Please write on the back of the paper.
Literary or formal word for 'behind', often used in abstract or figurative senses as well.
背後に気配を感じた。
I felt a presence behind me.
Indicating that someone or something is not on time, or is behind schedule.
The standard verb for 'to be late' or 'to fall behind schedule'. Can be used for people, trains, work, etc.
電車が10分遅れている。
The train is 10 minutes behind schedule.
彼はいつも仕事に遅れる。
He is always behind with his work.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to fall behind' in a competitive sense or in progress.
Te-form of 遅れる used as a state, meaning 'is behind'.
彼はクラスの他の生徒より後れている。
He is behind the other students in the class.
Indicating the reason, person, or thing that is responsible for something, often in a hidden or supportive role.
Used to mean 'behind the scenes' or 'there is something behind it', implying a hidden cause or influence.
この事件の裏には大きな陰謀がある。
There is a big conspiracy behind this incident.
彼の成功の裏には家族の支えがあった。
Behind his success was the support of his family.
Similar to 裏に, but slightly more formal. Often used for people or organizations pulling strings.
彼の背後には強力な後援者がいる。
He has a powerful backer behind him.
Means 'behind one's back' or 'in secret', often with a negative connotation.
彼は陰で悪口を言う。
He talks behind people's backs.
Describing a state of being less advanced, less developed, or inferior in some quality.
Used for being behind in development, technology, or progress.
この国は技術的に遅れている。
This country is behind technologically.
Means 'to be inferior' or 'to fall behind' in quality or ability.
彼は英語ではクラスメートに劣っている。
He is behind his classmates in English.
English uses 'behind' as a preposition in many contexts. In Japanese, the equivalent is often a noun plus a particle (e.g., 後ろに, 裏に). Do not try to translate 'behind' as a single word; instead, use the appropriate noun + に or で.
後ろ (うしろ) refers to the space behind something, while 裏 (うら) refers to the back surface or hidden side. For example, 家の後ろ means the area behind the house, while 家の裏 means the back of the house itself (the rear wall or back entrance).
We are falling behind our competitors.