What is the Kanji for 'After' and 'Behind'? | 後

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'After' and 'Behind', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'After' and 'Behind' is 後.

kanji

後

Meaning

After, Behind

Reading

kunyomiうし

ushi

のち

nochi

onyomiご

こう

kou

Parts

彳Stop 夂Late 幺Slight

Example Word

死後: afterlife. The Japanese noun '死後 (しご)' refers to the state or period after death, commonly translated as 'afterlife'. It is used in contexts discussing life after death, spiritual beliefs, or philosophical discussions about existence beyond physical death. For example: He believed in the afterlife「彼は死後を信じていた」(かれはしごをしんじていた). The concept of the afterlife varies across cultures「死後の概念は文化によって異なる」(しごのがいねんはぶんかによってことなる). This term is often used in religious, spiritual, or philosophical contexts and carries a formal tone.

Radical

彳

Stroke Count

JLPT

Grade

Frequency

Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 後

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

radical

彳

Meaning

Stop

radical

夂

Meaning

Late

radical

幺

Meaning

Slight

Words Using 後

This kanji is used in 25 words:

word

後

Meaning

After

word

最後

Meaning

End

word

明後日

Meaning

Day after tomorrow

word

今後

Meaning

Future

word

後ろ

Meaning

Back

word

戦後

Meaning

Postwar

word

午後

Meaning

Afternoon

word

前後

Meaning

Approximately, Before and after

word

以後

Meaning

After, Hereafter

word

後半

Meaning

Second half

word

後ろ向き

Meaning

Backward

word

明々後日

Meaning

Day after tomorrow

word

後書き

Meaning

Postscript

word

直後

Meaning

Immediately after

word

背後

Meaning

Behind

word

後回し

Meaning

Postponement

word

後者

Meaning

Latter

word

後戻り

Meaning

Retreat, Backtrack

word

後片付け

Meaning

Tidying

word

後悔

Meaning

Regret

word

後輩

Meaning

Junior

word

死後

Meaning

Afterlife

word

後期

Meaning

Second, Later

word

後方

Meaning

Rear, Back

word

後見

Meaning

Guardianship

Kanji Related to 後 Through the Part 彳

These 19 kanji contain the part 彳 as well.

kanji

行

Meaning

kanji

待

Meaning

Wait

kanji

役

Meaning

Duty

kanji

徒

Meaning

Follower, Junior

kanji

律

Meaning

Law, Rhythm

kanji

従

Meaning

Follow, Obey

kanji

往

Meaning

Journey, Go on

kanji

復

Meaning

Restore

kanji

得

Meaning

Acquire

kanji

徳

Meaning

Virtue

kanji

御

Meaning

Honorable, General honorific term

kanji

彼

Meaning

Third person pronoun, He

kanji

徴

Meaning

Levy, Symptom

kanji

微

Meaning

Slight, Delicate

kanji

徹

Meaning

Penetrate, Go through

kanji

徐

Meaning

Slowly, Gradually

kanji

径

Meaning

Path, Diameter

kanji

征

Meaning

Subjugate

kanji

循

Meaning

Circulate, Sequential

Kanji Related to 後 Through the Part 夂

These 11 kanji contain the part 夂 as well.

kanji

夜

Meaning

Night

kanji

夏

Meaning

Summer

kanji

冬

Meaning

Winter

kanji

麦

Meaning

Wheat

kanji

変

Meaning

Change, Abnormal

kanji

各

Meaning

Each

kanji

処

Meaning

Deal with

kanji

愛

Meaning

Love

kanji

憂

Meaning

Anxious, Grief

kanji

隆

Meaning

Hump, Prosper

kanji

慶

Meaning

Congratulate, Congratulations

Kanji Related to 後 Through the Part 幺

These 8 kanji contain the part 幺 as well.

kanji

糸

Meaning

Thread

kanji

幾

Meaning

Some, How many

kanji

幼

Meaning

Childhood, Infancy

kanji

郷

Meaning

Hometown

kanji

玄

Meaning

Profound, Mysterious

kanji

幻

Meaning

Illusion

kanji

幽

Meaning

Faint, Seclude

kanji

畿

Meaning

Capital, Suburbs of capital

Learn the Kanji 後

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 後 mean?

後 means 'After' and 'Behind'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.