後(あと)

あと

noun

after, later, remaining

See also: 跡(あと) (trace, remains)

1. after, later

The time following an event or action.

昼食(ちゅうしょく)の後(あと)、少(すこ)し昼寝(ひるね)をした。

After lunch, I took a short nap.

後(あと)で連絡(れんらく)します。

I'll contact you later.

後(あと)から来(く)る。

I'll come later. / I'll follow behind.

2. rest, remainder, remaining

What is left over; the remaining portion.

後(あと)五分(ごふん)で終(お)わる。

It will be done in five more minutes.

後(あと)は任(まか)せて。

Leave the rest to me.

3. behind, back

The position or location at the rear.

後(あと)から来(く)る。

I'll come later. / I'll follow behind.

Common expressions

後(あと)で (later)
〜の後(あと), 〜た後(あと)で (after ~)
後(あと)から (afterward, from behind)
あと〜 (~ more, remaining ~)

Usage

あと五分(ごふん) (five more minutes)
あと三(みっ)つ (three more)
あとは〜 (as for the rest...)

Similar words

後(のち): the same character read のち; formal and written
後(ご): the reading in compounds (食後(しょくご), 午後(ごご))
後(うし)ろ: behind, in space. あと is mainly about time and what remains.

Watch out

Do not confuse with 跡(あと) (trace, mark), which has the same reading.

Related Words

Related: 後(のち) (formal equivalent)

Related: 後(あと)で (later)

Compare: 先(さき) (ahead, earlier (先に vs 後で))

Compare: それと (and)

Compare: 前(まえ)に (before, in front of)

Compare: 残(のこ)り (remainder, rest, remaining)

Compare: 以来(いらい) (since, ever since, henceforth)

Compare: 前(まえ) (front, before, ago)

Compare: 以降(いこう) (from...onward)

Related: その前(まえ) (before that)

general

Added 2026.2.3 10:43 · Revised 2026.10.3 22:18

09500/09580_ato