Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "After" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "after", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
以後
いご (igo)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
とどのつまり
とどのつまり (todono-tsumari)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "after" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 以後 and とどのつまり.
In Japanese, 以後 (いご (igo)) is typically associated with "after this, from now on, hereafter" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates a period of time that starts from a specific point.
On the other hand, とどのつまり (とどのつまり (todono-tsumari)) maps to "after all; in the end; ultimately; when all is said and done" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Used to summarize or state the ultimate conclusion after considering various factors, often implying an unavoidable or somewhat negative outcome. 結局. A literal translation of "after" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "以後"
この件に関して、以後注意します。
I will be careful about this matter from now on.
Bilingual Context for "とどのつまり"
色々考えてみたが、とどのつまり、今の仕事を続けるのが一番だと結論した。
I thought about various things, but ultimately, I concluded that continuing my current job was the best option.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この件に関して、 ＿＿＿ 注意します。" (Meaning: "I will be careful about this matter from now on.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "以後" fits here because it means "after this, from now on, hereafter" in the context of: "I will be careful about this matter from now on.". "とどのつまり" represents "after all; in the end; ultimately; when all is said and done".