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あとで (atode) Meaning Japanese Grammar - After

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'あとで (atode) Meaning Japanese Grammar - After'

Anna Baffa Volpe

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あとで (atode) Meaning Japanese Grammar - After

The expression あとで (atode) means later, afterwards, after that.

あとで is a very common expression to state something that is done after what was done before.

In this post we are going to explore the meaning of あとで, how it is formed, when あとで is used and the differences with てから.


How あとで is formed

あとで ato de in kanji becomes ()で, but it is common to simply find the hiragana transcription.

あと is a noun that can be used in 2 ways:

  • Preceded by the particle の
  • Preceded by the plain past verb ending in or
Noun++あとで

宿(しゅく)(だい)(あと)で、テレビを()ます。

I watch TV after homework.

Plain past in た or だ+あとで

()(みが)いた(あと)()る。

I go to sleep after brushing my teeth.

The particle で is often omitted in sentences and it is found simply (あと) alone.

When using あとで

あとで ato de is used when we want to highlight the order, the sequence of two actions:

I perform action A and then action B.

Using あとで I want to emphasize the first action, following which the second occurred:

(じゅ)(ぎょう)(あと)でプールへ()きます。

After class I go to the swimming pool.

ケーキは、お(とう)さんが(かえ)って()たあとで()べましょうね。

Let's eat cake when dad is home.

Now let's see a particular example of a sentence from an anime that uses (あと)で:

0:00.00

-1:0-1.00

あなたに()なれると(あと)(ゆう)さんに(おこ)られちゃいますから。

If you are killed after Yuu-san will end up angry.

This sentence uses 後で in a hypothetical situation with the particle と: if the first event occurs:

あなたに()なれる

You are killed.

Then after ((あと)で) the second will eventually happen too:

(ゆう)さんに(おこ)られちゃいますから

Yuu-san will eventually get angry.

たあとで and てから

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More examples for the difference between あとで and てから:

(だい)(がく)(そつ)(ぎょう)した(あと)で、()(ほん)()った。

I went to Japan after I graduated.

I emphasize the fact that I went to Japan only after graduation and not before.

シャワーを()びた(あと)()かける。

I go out after taking a shower.

Extract from an article on the net, using (あと)

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あとで single use as an adverb

あとで can be used as an adverb combined with a verb.

(あと)(でん)()します。

I'll call you later.

その(けん)(あと)(かく)(にん)します。

I'll check after that question.

A short excerpt from an online article:

(あと)で、(あと)で」が(くち)(ぐせ)のあなた!その「(あと)」はいつ()(あと)(まわ)しにしない(せい)(かつ)のススメ

For you who always say: later, later! When will that later come? Advice for a life without putting things off.

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