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After / later
Definition
The grammar pattern "〜後で" is used to indicate that something happens after another action. It is often used to express a sequence of events or a plan for the future. The pattern can be used with both verbs and nouns, and it is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe what will happen after a certain action is completed.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ta-form | Verb + た + 後で | 食べた後で |
| Noun + の + Ta-form | Noun + の + た + 後で | 仕事の後で |
Examples
ご飯を食べた後で、コーヒーを飲みます。
Gohan o tabeta atode, kohi o nomimasu.
After eating dinner, I will drink coffee.
ご飯を食べた (dinner is eaten) + 後で (after) + コーヒーを飲みます (I will drink coffee)
仕事の後で、友だちに会います。
Shigoto no atode, tomodachi ni aimasu.
After work, I will meet with friends.
仕事の (work) + の (genitive particle) + 後で (after) + 友だちに (with friends) + 会います (I will meet)
宿題を終わった後で、テレビを見ます。
Shukudai o owaratta atode, terebi o mimasu.
After finishing homework, I will watch TV.
宿題を (homework) + 終わった (finished) + の (genitive particle) + 後で (after) + テレビを見ます (I will watch TV)
旅行の後で、疲れたので寝ます。
Ryokou no atode, tsukareta node nemasu.
After the trip, I will sleep because I'm tired.
旅行の (trip) + の (genitive particle) + 後で (after) + 疲れた (tired) + ので (because) + 寝ます (I will sleep)
Context
The grammar pattern "〜後で" is commonly used to describe what will happen after a certain action is completed. It can be used in both formal and informal situations, and it is often used in everyday conversation to describe plans or sequences of events. Be careful not to confuse it with the pattern "〜前に", which is used to describe what happens before a certain action.
Watch out
The verb before "後で" must be in the ta-form, not the dictionary form. For example, "食べる後で" is incorrect, but "食べた後で" is correct.
The patterns "〜後で" and "〜前に" are often confused, but they have opposite time relationships. "〜後で" is used to describe what happens after a certain action, while "〜前に" is used to describe what happens before a certain action.
Strategy
When using the grammar pattern "〜後で" on the JLPT exam, be careful to use the correct form of the verb and to describe the correct time relationship. Also, be prepared to use the pattern in a variety of contexts, such as describing plans or sequences of events.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜後で used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
ご飯を食べた後で、コーヒーを飲みます。
Pattern used: 後で
後で means 'after': I drink coffee after eating. 前に would mean 'before', reversing the time order.
仕事の後で、友だちに会います。
Pattern used: の
Nouns require の before 後で. 仕事の後で means 'after work'. This parallels the noun + の + 前に pattern.
宿題をした後で、テレビを見ます。
Pattern used: した
The verb before 後で must be in ta-form (past form). した後で means 'after doing'. This contrasts with 前に, which uses dictionary form.
Interactive
ご飯を食べた______、コーヒーを飲みます。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.