後
KANJI DETAIL
after · behind
On readingご, こう9 strokesN4
Radical 彳 · walk slowlyStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 後.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- ご, こう
- Kun reading
- のち, うしろ, あと, おくれる, しり
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: 後 has 9 strokes and the on-readings ご and こう. 後 (あと) uses a kun-reading, while 後 in 午後 (ごご) uses the on-reading ご.
- Basic usage: 後 can refer to a later time or a position behind someone in a line; 午後 names the afternoon.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- After an event and behind someone
- 食事の後で means after a meal. 私の後に三人の客が並んだ describes three customers lining up behind the speaker.
- 午後から means from the afternoon onward. 雨は午後にはやんでいた describes the rain as having already stopped by the afternoon.