front and back; before and after; both ends
Refers to spatial or temporal order: what is in front and behind, or what comes before and after. Often used in set phrases like 後先になる (to be reversed) or 後先を考える (to think ahead and behind).
The order of the story got reversed.
He acts without thinking about the consequences.
order; sequence; consequences; context
Used in fixed expressions: 後先になる (to be out of order), 後先考えず (without thinking of the consequences), and 後先を考える (to consider the context or consequences). The core idea is the proper sequence or the implications of actions.
See also: 後先になる
The explanation is out of order, so I don't understand what you want to say.
I spoke without thinking of the consequences and regretted it.
Standard kanji spelling.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially in set phrases.
Compound of 後 (あと, 'after, behind') and 先 (さき, 'before, ahead'). The meaning 'order' or 'consequences' developed from the literal spatial/temporal sense.