後付(あとづ)け

あとづけ
noun, no-adjective
added later, after-the-fact, retrofitting
1. added later, retrofitted, after-the-fact
Something attached, added, or devised after the original was completed. Can refer to physical additions (equipment, parts) or abstract ones (explanations, reasons). Often carries a nuance that the addition is not as natural or convincing as something planned from the start.
それは後付(あとづ)けの理由(りゆう)だろう。
That's an after-the-fact excuse, isn't it?
後付(あとづ)けで説明(せつめい)をつけるのは簡単(かんたん)だ。
It's easy to come up with an explanation after the fact.
この建物(たてもの)のエレベーターは後付(あとづ)けで設置(せっち)されたものだ。
The elevator in this building was retrofitted after construction.

Usage

When used about reasoning or explanations, 後付(あとづ)け implies the justification was constructed after the decision was already made, suggesting it may not be genuine. When used about physical objects, it simply means something was added to an existing structure or device.

Common patterns

Used as a noun (後付(あとづ)けで, as a retrofit) or as a の-adjective (後付(あとづ)けの理由(りゆう), an after-the-fact reason).

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.22 13:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12588_atozuke