noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
behind; the rear; the back
Spatial use referring to the area behind someone or something. For the physical back side, 後ろ is often more explicit, but 後 is common in phrases such as 後に立つ and 後を振り返る.
See also: 後ずさり
車の後に立たないでください。
Please do not stand behind the car.
大きな音がして、思わず後を振り返った。
There was a loud noise, and I instinctively looked back behind me.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Temporal use for what comes after an event or point in time. Common in patterns such as noun + の後, verb past + 後で, and その後.
See also: その後
食事の後で散歩した。
I went for a walk after the meal.
その後、彼から連絡はなかった。
After that, there was no contact from him.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
the rest; the remainder; what remains
Refers to the remaining part of a task, group, amount, or matter. Often used as 後は... meaning 'as for the rest...'.
後は私に任せてください。
Please leave the rest to me.
宿題は後少しで終わる。
I will finish my homework with just a little left to go.
noun, adverb
Adverbial use before a quantity to mean an additional or remaining amount, as in あと五分 'five more minutes' or あと二つ 'two left'.
あと五分だけ待ってください。
Please wait just five more minutes.
チケットはあと三枚残っています。
There are three tickets left.
noun, adverb
also; in addition; another thing
Used to add one more point, request, or item. Sentence-initial あと is very common in conversation and practical writing, and is generally less formal than さらに or 加えて.
あと、牛乳も買ってきて。
Also, please buy some milk.
あと一つ確認したいことがあります。
There is one more thing I would like to confirm.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Used for the person or line that comes after someone, especially in succession. It is most natural in fixed expressions such as 後を継ぐ 'to succeed; to take over after someone'.
彼が父の後を継いで社長になった。
He succeeded his father and became company president.
この家の後を継ぐ人がいない。
There is no one to inherit this household line.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
after one's death; after one is gone
Refers to matters remaining after a person's death. In modern Japanese, 死後 is more explicit, but 後 appears naturally in phrases such as 自分の後のこと.
亡くなる前、父は自分の後のことを心配していた。
Before he died, my father was worried about what would happen after he was gone.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Archaic use meaning 'past' or 'previous.' It is not a normal modern standalone use; modern Japanese usually uses words such as 以前, 昔, or 前 for this meaning.
古語では「あとの事」が「以前の事」を表す場合がある。
In classical usage, あとの事 can sometimes mean 'a previous matter.'
More specifically means the physical back or behind-position; 後 can be spatial, temporal, or abstract.
A fixed adverbial expression meaning 'later' or 'afterward'; 後 by itself has broader noun and adverbial uses.
Specifically means the remaining amount or remainder; 後 can also mean 'the rest' but has many other meanings.
A more formal or written-sounding way to say 'in addition'; sentence-initial あと is more conversational.
A native Japanese word written with the kanji 後, which is conventionally associated with what is behind or what comes later. The detailed historical development of the reading あと is not specified.