Translation and Meaning of: 後回し - atomawashi

If you've already postponed something important today, know that the Japanese have a perfect word for it: 後回し (あとまわし, ato mawashi). This expression carries a deep meaning about procrastination, priorities, and even Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its etymology, how it is used in everyday life, and even tips to memorize this kanji without delay. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, get ready to include practical examples in your deck!

Many people search on Google not only for the translation of 後回し but also for its origin and how to apply it in real sentences. Does it have a connection with other terms like 先延ばし (saki nobashi, "to postpone")? Or does its pictogram hide a visual logic that facilitates learning? Let’s uncover all of this without putting it off!

Etymology and Pictogram: What the Kanji Reveal

The word 後回し is composed of two kanji: 後 (あと, ato) means "after" or "behind," while 回し (まわし, mawashi) comes from the verb 回す (mawasu), which means "to turn" or "to rotate." Together, they create the mental image of "turning something back" — literally pushing a task to the back of the line. It's no wonder that this term appears frequently in discussions about productivity in Japan!

Looking at the strokes, the kanji 後 has an interesting radical: 彳 (gyōninben), which represents steps or movement. Meanwhile, 回 shows something circulating inside a square, like a task spinning around in your head. This visual combination helps to understand why the Japanese associate the word with the vicious cycle of procrastination. Who hasn't been going in circles instead of tackling what truly matters?

Everyday Lies: When Do Japanese People Say 後回し?

In the office, it's common to hear phrases like この仕事は後回しにしよう (Kono shigoto wa ato mawashi ni shiyou) — "Let's put this work off for later." But be careful: the term has a slightly negative nuance, different from 延期 (enki, "formal postponement"). Using 後回し too much can give the impression that you are avoiding responsibilities, not just rearranging deadlines.

A curious cultural detail: in research about Japanese habits, 後回し frequently appears linked to the concept of めんどくさい (mendokusai) — that laziness to start something tedious. In schools, teachers warn students about the "snowball effect" of putting off studies in 後回し before exams. And isn't the problem universal?

Tips for Memorizing and Not Procrastinating

To fix the kanji 後, imagine someone walking (彳) while carrying a heavy package (夂) on their back — a symbol of the tasks we push back. Already, 回 can be visualized as a revolving conveyor belt where you place obligations that keep spinning endlessly. Creating these absurd associations helps to memorize the writing in an almost unconscious way.

How about practicing with a useful phrase? Note it in your Anki: 後回しにするとストレスがたまる (Ato mawashi ni suru to sutoresu ga tamaru) — "Putting things off accumulates stress." This way, you learn vocabulary in a real context, avoiding the very 後回し in your studies. After all, as they say in Japan: 後回しは泥棒の始まり (putting things off is the beginning of the theft of time)!