Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "After" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "after", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
それから
それから (sorekara)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
後
あと (ato) / うしろ (ushiro)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "after" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between それから and 後.
In Japanese, それから (それから (sorekara)) is typically associated with "after that, then, and then" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used to connect actions or events in chronological order, indicating a sequence. It can also mean 'and also' when adding items..
On the other hand, 後 (あと (ato) / うしろ (ushiro)) maps to "after, later / behind" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Can mean 'after/later'. A literal translation of "after" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "それから"
まずシャワーを浴びます。それから、朝ごはんを食べます。
First, I take a shower. After that, I eat breakfast.
Bilingual Context for "後"
食事の後で、散歩に行きました。 / 彼の後ろに大きな木があります。
We went for a walk after the meal. / There is a big tree behind him.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "まずシャワーを浴びます。 ＿＿＿ 、朝ごはんを食べます。" (Meaning: "First, I take a shower. After that, I eat breakfast.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "それから" fits here because it means "after that, then, and then" in the context of: "First, I take a shower. After that, I eat breakfast.". "後" represents "after, later / behind".