以来(いらい)

以来(いらい) marks a starting point in the past and implies the situation has continued from then until now. It attaches directly to a time expression, a verb te-form, or a demonstrative referring to a time (これ以来, それ以来).

Common patterns

• [noun]以来(いらい): 卒業(そつぎょう)以来(いらい) (since graduation)
• 〜て以来(いらい): 会(あ)って以来(いらい) (since meeting)
• 以来(いらい)ずっと: ever since then (emphasizes continuity)
• これ以来(いらい): from then on

Unlike 後(あと) or 以後(いご), 以来(いらい) strongly implies the state or action has continued up to the present. It connects a past event to the current moment.

Similar words

• 以来(いらい): since (continuing up to now)
• 以後(いご): after (forward-looking, may not continue to present)
• 以降(いこう): from ~ onward (formal/written)
• 後(あと): after (general, casual)

Watch out

Do not confuse with 依頼(いらい) (request) — same reading, different kanji and meaning.