Translation and Meaning of: 後 - ato

The Japanese word 後[あと] is one of those terms that you find in practically every conversation in Japan. Whether to arrange a meeting, talk about what comes next, or even to indicate something that was left behind, this kanji has a strong presence in daily life. In this article, we will explore its etymology, meaning, practical usage, and even tips to memorize it once and for all. Furthermore, you will discover how it appears in common phrases and why it is so useful in memorization programs like Anki.

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese talk about what comes "after" or how they express ideas like "remaining" and "successor," 後 is the answer. Its pictogram carries an interesting story, and its use goes far beyond the basics. Let's dive into details ranging from writing to curiosities that not many people mention.

Etymology and Origin of the Kanji 後

The kanji 後 is composed of two main radicals: 彳 (which indicates movement) and 幺 (which represents something small or thin). Together, they suggest the idea of "following behind" or "what comes after". This visual construction perfectly reflects its meaning of "behind", "after", or "remaining". Interestingly, in ancient China, this character was also used to express notions of succession and inheritance.

In Japanese writing, 後 can be read as あと (ato), のち (nochi), or ご (go), depending on the context. The reading あと is the most common in everyday use, while ご appears in compound words like 午後 (ごご), which means "afternoon." This variation in readings is one of the reasons many students take time to fully master the use of this kanji.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

One of the most common situations where you will hear 後 is in combination with hours and deadlines. Phrases like 後で会いましょう (あとであいましょう) – "See you later" – are frequent in informal conversations. Another example is 後５分 (あとごふん), which means "five more minutes" or "five minutes remaining." Do you notice how this kanji is always connected to the idea of future time or sequence?

But it doesn't stop there. 後 also appears in expressions that indicate consequences, such as 後の祭り (あとのまつり), which literally means "the festival after" and is used to describe something that is already too late, like "crying over spilled milk." It's one of those terms that the Japanese love to use in proverbs and popular sayings, showing how the language values what comes after just as much as what is in front.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

A foolproof way to fix 後 in your memory is to associate it with concrete situations. For example, think of a line: whoever is behind (後) is the one who came later. Or remember that when you leave something for "later," you are using the same idea. If you like visual notes, drawing an arrow pointing backwards next to the kanji can help reinforce its main meaning.

A little-known fact is that 後 sometimes appears in place names in Japan, such as 後楽園 (こうらくえん), a famous garden in Okayama. In this case, it carries a more poetic sense of "paradise that comes after," showing how a single ideogram can have layers of interpretation. So, are you ready to start using 後 in your next Japanese sentences?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 後ろ (ushiro) - Back
• 後方 (kōhō) - Back; rear direction
• 後部 (kobu) - Back; rear section
• 後方地域 (kōhō chiiki) - Rear area
• 後方地帯 (kōhō chitai) - Support zone
• 後方地方 (kōhō chihō) - Posterior region
• 後方地方軍 (kōhō chihō gun) - Rear military forces
• 後方地方軍隊 (kōhō chihō guntai) - Rear guard

後

Romaji: ato
Kana: あと
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: after; back; later; rear; remaining; successor

Meaning in English: after;behind;later;rear;remainder;successor

Definition: Moreover: To be located after a previous event. Or superfluous or unused things.

Example Sentences - (後) ato

See below some example sentences:

彼は最後まで追い込んで勝利を手にした。

Kare wa saigo made oikonde shōri o te ni shita

He fought to the end and got the victory.

He drove to the end and took the victory.

• 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
• は - Topic particle
• 最後まで - "to the end"
• 追い込んで - "pursue to the limit"
• 勝利 - "victory"
• を - direct object particle
• 手にした - "conquered"

背後に誰かいるかもしれない。

Ushiro ni dareka iru kamoshirenai

Pode haver alguém atrás de mim.

Maybe someone behind.

• 背後に - indicates the location "behind"
• 誰か - means "someone"
• いる - Verb "to be" in the present
• かもしれない - expression that indicates possibility, "it could be that"

私は長い散歩の後に草臥れました。

Watashi wa nagai sanpo no ato ni kusagarerimashita

I was exhausted after a long walk.

I was lying down after a long walk.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - Topic particle
• 長い - "long" adjective
• 散歩 - noun "walk"
• の - Possession particle
• 後に - expression "after"
• 草臥れました - verb "to be exhausted"

明後日は会議があります。

Ashita wa kaigi ga arimasu

There will be a meeting the day after tomorrow.

There will be a meeting a day the day tomorrow.

• 明後日 - means "the day after tomorrow"
• は - Topic particle
• 会議 - means "meeting"
• が - subject particle
• あります - verb "to have" in polite form

攻撃は最後の手段だ。

Kougeki wa saigo no shudan da

The attack is the last resort.

The attack is a last resort.

• 攻撃 - It means "attack" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "attack".
• 最後 - It means "last" in Japanese.
• の - It is a grammatical particle that indicates possession or belonging.
• 手段 - It means "means" or "method" in Japanese.
• だ - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the end of the sentence and can be translated as "is" or "to be."

前後を見てから行動してください。

Maego wo mite kara koudou shite kudasai

Please check around before taking action.

Please look back and forth before acting.

• 前後 (zen-go) - means "front and back" in Japanese
• を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 見て (mite) - verb form of "mirar" in Japanese
• から (kara) - means "after" in Japanese
• 行動 (koudou) - means "action" in Japanese
• して (shite) - verb form of "to do" in Japanese
• ください (kudasai) - Japanese expression of request, meaning "please"

今後もよろしくお願いします。

Kongo mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu

Please keep supporting me from now on.

I hope to work with you in the future.

• 今後 (kongo) - From now on
• も (mo) - also
• よろしく (yoroshiku) - please take care of me
• お願いします (onegaishimasu) - please do

サボると後悔する。

Saboru to koukai suru

I lament when I jump.

I lament when I jump.

• サボる - verb that means "to miss" or "to slack off".
• と - particle that indicates the cause-and-effect relationship between the two parts of the sentence.
• 後悔する - verb that means "to regret".

以後もよろしくお願いします。

Igo mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu

Thanks after that.

• 以後 (igo) - from now on, from now on
• も (mo) - also
• よろしく (yoroshiku) - please take care of me, count on me
• お願いします (onegaishimasu) - please, I ask you

後退することは時に勝利することです。

Kōtai suru koto wa toki ni shōri suru koto desu

Retiring can sometimes be a win.

• 後退すること - go back
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 時に - sometimes
• 勝利すること - to win
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present