食後(しょくご)

食後(しょくご) refers to the time period right after eating. It is a compound of 食(しょく) (eating) + 後(ご) (after), following the same pattern as many other time-related compounds.

Common patterns

• 食後(しょくご)に薬(くすり)を飲(の)む: take medicine after meals
• 食後(しょくご)のデザート: after-meal dessert
• 食後(しょくご)のコーヒー: after-meal coffee
• 食後(しょくご)30分(ぷん): 30 minutes after eating

Related time-of-meal words

• 食前(しょくぜん): before a meal
• 食間(しょっかん): between meals (used for medicine timing)
• 食事(しょくじ)中(ちゅう): during a meal

Usage

Frequently seen on medicine labels and prescriptions. Pharmacists will specify 食後(しょくご) vs. 食前(しょくぜん) vs. 食間(しょっかん) for when to take medication.