Translation guide
Expresses that an action or event occurs immediately following another point in time or event. Japanese uses various patterns depending on whether the reference point is a time, a verb, or a noun.
The speaker wants to say that something happens right after another action or event finishes.
The most common and neutral way to say 'just after doing something'. Vた is the past plain form of the verb.
家に帰ったあとすぐにシャワーを浴びた。
I took a shower just after I got home.
Slightly more formal or written. 直後 (ちょくご) means 'immediately after'.
会議が終わった直後に彼は退社した。
He left the office just after the meeting ended.
Emphasizes that an action has just been completed. Often used when the result is still relevant. Can be used as 'Vたばかりだ' or 'VたばかりのN'.
食べたばかりなので、お腹がいっぱいです。
I'm full because I just ate.
Expresses that something unexpected or sudden happened the moment an action was completed. Often used for surprising changes.
ドアを開けたとたん、猫が飛び出した。
Just as I opened the door, the cat jumped out.
The speaker wants to say that something happens immediately after a clock time or named time point.
Used for clock times. Attach すぎ to the hour or minute to mean 'just after'. E.g., 3時すぎ = just after 3 o'clock.
3時すぎに来てください。
Please come just after 3 o'clock.
More descriptive, 'around the time just after...'. Often used in narratives.
午後10時を過ぎたころ、電話が鳴った。
The phone rang just after 10 p.m.
The speaker refers to an event by a noun (e.g., 'the war', 'graduation') and wants to say something happened right after it.
Standard way to say 'just after N'. 直後 means 'immediately after'.
地震の直後に津波が来た。
A tsunami came just after the earthquake.
More casual and conversational than 直後.
卒業のすぐあとに就職した。
I got a job just after graduation.