Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 2: 9/17

後(あと)で

After, Later

Structure

Verb［た］+ あとで
Noun + の + あとで
後(あと)で + Phrase
Verb + のは + あとで

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About あとで

In Japanese, あとで is a combination of the noun 後(あと) (behind), and the particle で (with). When these words are linked, they form an adverbial phrase which is used to express 'after', or 'later'. As with で's standard meaning of 'with', あとで is simply highlighting that something will happen, 'with' the 'after/behind' part of something.
To use あとで, attach it to the end of any past-tense verb, noun followed by の, or verb followed by のは (nominalization).
  • 勉強(べんきょう)するのは食(た)べた後(あと)でいいよ。
    You can study after you finish eating. (With the time after eating)
  • 仕事(しごと)の後(あと)で、飲(の)み会(かい)に行(い)きます。
    I will go to the party after work. (With the time after work)
  • コピーを取(と)るのは後(あと)でいいから、今(いま)は上司(じょうし)に電話(でんわ)して。
    Since it's fine to make the copies later, please call the boss right now. (With the time after calling the boss)
Fun Fact
The reason that 後(あと) is translated as both 'after', and 'behind', is because sequences of events in Japanese behave similarly to a train. When the head of the train (one action) passes a specific point, there are still potentially many carriages (other actions) coming 'after', or 'behind' it.
後(あと)で may also be used to alter the meaning of an entire phrase, by appearing at the front. This nuance is just that (A) will happen (at some point) after now.
  • 後(あと)で洗濯(せんたく)もの干(ほ)してね。
    Please hang the laundry later.

Examples

  • 勉強(べんきょう)した後(あと)で、遊(あそ)んでもいいよ。

    It is ok to play after you study.

  • 食事(しょくじ)の後(あと)で、お皿(さら)を洗(あら)わなくてはいけない。

    I have to wash dishes after a meal.

  • また後(あと)で、会(あ)いましょう。

    Let's meet again later.

  • 私(わたし)はアルバイトの後(あと)で、疲(つか)れている。

    I am tired after my part time job.

  • 後(あと)で買(か)い物(もの)に行(い)きます。

    I will go shopping later.

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あとで – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    Thank you for sharing these links with us. I have updated the Readings section to include both links. Cheers!

  • garlicdog

    garlicdog

    Looking through the examples for 後で, I only found one for the “verb + のは” connection most of it is without connections. This is not that important but maybe in the future there could be 1-2 more to better drill the variations for this grammar. (I find this is a problem for me in some other ones where variations represent a small portion of the examples and I often get those wrong )

  • Meatdog

    Meatdog

    What is the difference in meaning between Verb［た］+ あとで and Verb + のは + あとで?

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