1.
the latter, the second one
The second of two things or people mentioned.
前者と後者
The former and the latter.
私は後者を選ぶ。
I choose the latter.
後者の方がいい。
The latter is better.
AとBの二つの案があるが、費用の面から考えると後者の方が現実的だ。
There are two proposals, A and B, but considering cost, the latter is more realistic.
速度と安全性のどちらを重視するかと聞かれ、後者の方が大切だと答えた。
When asked which I value more, speed or safety, I answered that the latter is more important.
後者 means "the latter" when referring to the second of two items previously mentioned.
REGISTER:
Formal/written style. More common in academic writing, business documents, and formal speech.
USAGE PATTERN:
前者は〜、後者は〜 (The former is ~, the latter is ~)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 後者の方が: the latter is more...
- 後者を選ぶ: to choose the latter
- 後者の場合: in the case of the latter
ANTONYM:
前者 (the former, the first one)
NOTE:
Only used when exactly two items are being compared. For more than two items, use 最後の or ordinal numbers.