When used as an adverb, あと (ato) can indicate something that happens after another event or something that is remaining. For example, あとで電話します (ato de denwa shimasu) means "I'll call you later."
You might also hear あと少し (ato sukoshi) which means "a little more" or "a little bit remaining." It can also be used to refer to a remainder, such as あと一つ (ato hitotsu) meaning "one more left."
§ What あと means
- Japanese Word
- あと (ato)
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- After; remaining; later. Subsequent in time or order; left over.
あと (ato) is a very common Japanese word. It can be an adverb, meaning "after" or "later," or it can describe something "remaining" or "left over." You'll hear this word in many different situations, from casual conversations to formal announcements. Understanding its various uses is key to sounding more natural in Japanese.
§ Where you hear あと at work
In a work setting, あと is often used for scheduling, delegating tasks, or discussing follow-ups. You'll hear it in meetings, emails, and daily office conversations.
When referring to a time after an event:
会議のあとで詳細を話しましょう。
Let's discuss the details after the meeting.
When talking about remaining tasks:
この仕事のあとには、何かすることがありますか？
Is there anything to do after this work?
§ Where you hear あと at school
In a school environment, あと is used by teachers, students, and staff. It's often related to class schedules, homework, or activities that follow another event.
When giving instructions for later:
授業のあとで、質問があれば来てください。
If you have questions, please come after class.
Referring to something remaining:
テストのあとは、従業が残っています。
After the test, there's homework remaining.
§ Where you hear あと in the news
In news reports, あと is used to describe sequences of events, follow-up actions, or the aftermath of a situation. It's often found in reports on politics, disasters, or current affairs.
Describing events in sequence:
大規模な災害のあと、復興活動が始まりました。
After the major disaster, recovery efforts began.
Referring to later developments:
警察は事件のあと、調査を続けています。
The police are continuing their investigation after the incident.
As you can see, あと is a versatile word. Pay attention to the context and the surrounding words to grasp its precise meaning. Keep practicing with these examples, and you'll soon be using あと naturally in your Japanese conversations.
How Formal Is It?
"午後六時以後は閉店します。(Gogo rokuji igo wa heiten shimasu.) Translation hint: After 6 PM, the store will close."
"会議の後、食事に行きましょう。(Kaigi no ato, shokuji ni ikimashō.) Translation hint: Let's go eat after the meeting."
"後で電話するね。(Atode denwa suru ne.) Translation hint: I'll call you later."
"ご飯のあとでおやつ食べようね。(Gohan no ato de oyatsu tabeyou ne.) Translation hint: Let's eat a snack after dinner."
"あとよろしく。(Ato yoroshiku.) Translation hint: I'll leave the rest to you."
उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका
- Often confused with the long 'aa' sound in 'father'.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
会議のあとで、質問してもいいですか？
After the meeting, can I ask questions?
「〜のあとで」means 'after doing something'
宿題を終わらせたあとで、ゲームをします。
After finishing homework, I will play games.
「〜たあとで」is used when the action before 'あとで' is completed.
食事が終わったあと、散歩に行きましょう。
After the meal is over, let's go for a walk.
「〜たあと」can be used without 'で' in less formal contexts or when 'あと' functions as a noun.
残り時間がほとんどない。あと5分しかない。
There's almost no time left. There are only 5 minutes remaining.
「あと〜しかない」means 'only ~ left'.
あとでかけ直します。
I'll call you back later.
「あとで」alone means 'later'.
デザートはあとで食べます。
I'll eat dessert later.
「あとで」can be used with actions that will happen in the future.
あと少しで目的地に着きます。
We'll arrive at our destination in just a little bit.
「あと少しで」means 'in just a little while' or 'almost'.
この本を読み終わったら、あと何冊か借りたい。
After I finish reading this book, I want to borrow a few more.
「あと何冊か」means 'a few more books'.
締め切りまであと3日しかない。
あと3日 (あとみっか): only three days left; 締め切り (しめきり): deadline
あと + numeral + counter + しかない: only X remaining
彼女は私に一言あとで話があると言った。
一言 (ひとこと): a word; 話がある (はなしがある): something to talk about
あとで: later (in time)
このプロジェクトが終わったら、あとは君に任せるよ。
終わったら (おわったら): when it finishes; 君に任せる (きみにまかせる): I'll leave it to you
あとは: the rest/remainder
あと少しで目的地に着く。
あと少し (あとすこし): a little more; 目的地 (もくてきち): destination; 着く (つく): to arrive
あと + quantifier: a little more (distance, quantity, etc.)
食事が終わったら、あと片付けは私がするよ。
食事が終わったら (しょくじがおわったら): when the meal is over; 後片付け (あとかたづけ): cleaning up after
あと + noun: after-X, remaining X
あとで後悔しないように、今できることを全部やろう。
後悔する (こうかいする): to regret; 今できること (いまできること): what we can do now; 全部 (ぜんぶ): all
あとで後悔しないように: so as not to regret later
テストまであと一週間だ。
テスト (てすと): test; 一週間 (いっしゅうかん): one week
あと + time period: X time remaining
このケーキ、あと半分残っているよ。
半分 (はんぶん): half; 残っている (のこっている): is remaining
あと + quantity/fraction: remaining X amount
खुद को परखो 24 सवाल
You just finished eating at a restaurant. Write a sentence saying you will pay later.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あとで払います。
You are making plans with a friend. Write a sentence saying you will meet later.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あとで会いませんか。
You have some cake left. Write a sentence saying there is still some cake remaining.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ケーキがあと少しあります。
When does the speaker want to read the book?
Read this passage:
すみません、この本、あとで読めますか？
When does the speaker want to read the book?
「あとで」 means 'later'.
「あとで」 means 'later'.
What will the person do after drinking coffee?
Read this passage:
コーヒーを飲んだあと、仕事を始めます。
What will the person do after drinking coffee?
「コーヒーを飲んだあと」 means 'after drinking coffee', and 「仕事を始めます」 means 'start work'.
「コーヒーを飲んだあと」 means 'after drinking coffee', and 「仕事を始めます」 means 'start work'.
What does the speaker plan to do?
Read this passage:
あとでまた電話します。
What does the speaker plan to do?
「あとで」 means 'later' and 「また電話します」 means 'call again'.
「あとで」 means 'later' and 「また電話します」 means 'call again'.
'ごはんのあとで' means 'after a meal'. The particle 'で' indicates the time or situation of an action. So the correct order is 'After a meal, I will take a walk.'
'しごとがおわったあとで' means 'after work finishes'. The correct order is 'Let's go drinking after work is finished.'
'あのあと' means 'after that'. The sentence asks 'What happened after that?'
会議の___で、質問の時間があります。
「会議のあと」は「after the meeting」を意味します。
食事の___で、コーヒーを飲みました。
「食事のあと」は「after the meal」を意味します。
宿題を終えた___で、ゲームをしてもいいですか。
「宿題を終えたあと」は「after finishing homework」を意味します。
「あと30分で授業が終わります」は「The class will end in 30 minutes」という意味です。
「あと」は「remaining」という意味で使われ、時間や数量の残りを示すことができます。
「あとで電話します」は「I will call later」という意味です。
「あとで」は「later」という意味で、将来の時点を示す副詞です。
「この問題はあと回しにしましょう」は「Let's do this problem first」という意味です。
「あと回しにする」は「to postpone」または「to put off until later」という意味です。したがって、この文は「Let's put this problem off until later」という意味になります。
This sentence means 'Let's go for a drink after work.' '仕事のあとで' means 'after work.'
This sentence means 'The room was messy after the party.' 'パーティーのあと' means 'after the party.'
This sentence means 'There's still half of the homework left.' 'あと半分' means 'half remaining.'
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
उदाहरण
あとで電話します。
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
general के और शब्द
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
