Japanese kanji 後: behind and after

The idea

Compare 後ろ（うしろ） and 後（あと） in the table: a character can have different readings in different words. 後 has 9 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Examples

• 猫ねこは椅子いすの後うしろにいます。The cat is behind the chair.
• 駅えきの後うしろに公園こうえんがあります。There is a park behind the station.
• 授業じゅぎょうの後あとで友達ともだちと話はなします。I talk with a friend after class.
• 昼ひるご飯はんの後あとにお茶ちゃを飲のみます。I drink tea after lunch.
• 午後ごご、図書館としょかんへ行いきます。I go to the library in the afternoon.
• 一時間後いちじかんごに電話でんわします。I will call in one hour.

Watch out

Use 後ろ（うしろ） for position behind something, but 後（あと） for what follows an event. In 午後 and 一時間後, 後 is ご; it does not automatically read あと.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 後ろ in hiragana.

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   うしろ

   後ろ is read うしろ; the complete word means behind; the back.

2. Write the reading of 後 in hiragana.

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   あと

   後 is read あと; the complete word means after; afterward.

3. Fill in the missing kanji: 午＿（ごご）.

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   後

   後 completes 午後, read ごご; the complete word means afternoon; p.m..

Use it today

Cover the table and write 後 from memory. Read 後ろ and 後 aloud, then make a sentence and check its meaning against the examples.