あとで (atode) Meaning Japanese Grammar - After
Anna Baffa Volpe
4 min reading time
Updated on 13 January 2023
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 後で, 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 た or だ
宿題の後で、テレビを見ます。
I watch TV after homework.
歯を磨いた後で寝る。
I go to sleep after brushing my teeth.
The particle で is often omitted in sentences and it is found simply 後 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:
授業の後でプールへ行きます。
After class I go to the swimming pool.
ケーキは、お父さんが帰って来たあとで食べましょうね。
Let's eat cake when dad is home.
Now let's see a particular example of a sentence from an anime that uses 後で:
0:00.00
-1:0-1.00
あなたに死なれると後で優さんに怒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:
あなたに死なれる
You are killed.
Then after (後で) the second will eventually happen too:
優さんに怒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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Support us to unlockMore examples for the difference between あとで and てから:
大学を卒業した後で、日本に行った。
I went to Japan after I graduated.
I emphasize the fact that I went to Japan only after graduation and not before.
シャワーを浴びた後で出かける。
I go out after taking a shower.
Extract from an article on the net, using 後
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Support us to unlockあとで single use as an adverb
あとで can be used as an adverb combined with a verb.
後で電話します。
I'll call you later.
その件は後で確認します。
I'll check after that question.
A short excerpt from an online article:
「後で、後で」が口癖のあなた！その「後」はいつ来る後回しにしない生活のススメ
For you who always say: later, later! When will that later come? Advice for a life without putting things off.
