1.
later, afterwards, subsequently
A point in time after the present or after a reference point.
後ほど連絡します。
I'll contact you later.
後ほど = later (polite)
雨の後晴れるでしょう。
It will probably clear up after the rain.
Common weather forecast expression
卒業後、海外に行った。
After graduation, I went abroad.
事故の後、安全対策が見直された。
After the accident, safety measures were reviewed.
会議の後に、詳しい報告をいたします。
I will give a detailed report after the meeting.
2.
future, later time
The time to come; future circumstances.
後のことは考えていない。
I haven't thought about what comes later.
後の世に名を残す。
To leave one's name for future generations.
後の世 = future generations, posterity
後に大きな問題になった。
It became a big problem later on.
この決定が後にどんな影響を与えるか、今はまだ分からない。
We don't yet know what effect this decision will have in the future.
あの出来事は、後になって振り返ると、大切な経験だったと思う。
Looking back on it later, I think that event was an important experience.
USAGE: 後 is a more formal/literary way to say 'after' or 'later' compared to 後. It's commonly used in weather forecasts and formal writing.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜の後 (after ~)
- 後に (later, subsequently)
- 後ほど (later - polite)
- 後の世 (future generations, posterity)
WEATHER EXPRESSIONS:
- 雨後曇り (rain, then cloudy)
- 晴れ後雨 (clear, then rain)
CONTRAST:
- 後 - afterwards (formal/literary)
- 後 - after, later (everyday)
- 以後 - after, since (formal)
- その後 - after that
Related Words
Related:
後 (after (everyday))