Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
後の祭り (あとのまつり) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
expression, noun
too late ; a day after the fair
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression meaning that an action or regret comes after the opportunity has passed; often used when something is already done and cannot be changed.
わっ
て
から
勉べん
強きょう
し
て
も
後あと
の
祭まつ
り
だ
よ
。
Studying after the exam is over is a day after the fair.
Written forms 後あと の 祭まつ り
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
後あと の 祭まつり
Variant spelling without okurigana; less common but still encountered.
Kanji 祭 ritual, offer prayers, celebrate Similar words 手て 遅おく れ 手遅れ is more literal, meaning 'too late' in a practical sense (e.g., missing a deadline), while 後の祭り is an idiomatic expression emphasizing the futility of regret after the fact.
後あと のまつり Kana spelling of the same expression; interchangeable, but the kanji form is more common in formal writing.
Etymology Literally 'the festival afterwards'; the phrase originates from the idea that once a festival is over, any preparations or regrets are pointless. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used idiomatically since the Edo period.
