JLPT N5 grammar · Intermediate Action Patterns

~あとで: meaning, usage and examples

~あとで means: after, later.

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 授業じゅぎょうのあとで、図書館としょかんに行いきます。

   After class, I will go to the library.

2. 映画えいがを見みたあとで、レストランで食事しょくじをしました。

   After watching a movie, we ate at a restaurant.

3. 仕事しごとのあとで、友ともだちに会あいます。

   After work, I'm meeting a friend.

4. 晩ばんごはんを食たべたあとで、歯はをみがきます。

   After dinner, I brush my teeth.

When to use it

あとで means "after". It shows that one action happens after another: 授業じゅぎょうのあとで = after class, 食たべたあとで = after eating. Alone, あとで also means "later": あとで電話でんわします = I will call later. Use it to talk about your daily routine and plans.

Nuance

Used in casual and polite speech. The verb before あとで is always in the た-form, even for future plans: 食たべたあとで行いきます. The order of events is the main point, and there can be time between the two actions.

Compare

あとで vs てから: both mean "after". てから stresses the order, often a needed first step (手てを洗あらってから食たべます). あとで just gives the order (食たべたあとで散歩さんぽします). Also compare まえに, the opposite: 食たべるまえに = before eating.

Tip: Before あとで the verb is た-form; before まえに it is dictionary form. 寝ねるまえに vs 寝ねたあとで.