その後

§ Basic meaning of その後

The Japanese word その後 (sonogo) is an adverb. It means "after that" or "thereafter." It's used to show a sequence of events, indicating that something happened or will happen following a previously mentioned event or time.

Japanese Word

その後 (sonogo)

Part of Speech

Adverb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

After that, thereafter.

§ How to use その後 in sentences

その後 is quite straightforward to use. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or a clause to connect it to a previous statement. It acts as a transition, letting the listener or reader know that the next piece of information follows logically from what was just said.

You don't need any special particles or prepositions directly attached to その後 itself. It functions independently as an adverb modifying the entire subsequent clause or sentence.

• 会議 (kaigi): meeting
• 10時 (juuji): 10 o'clock
• 始まりました (hajimarimashita): started (polite past tense of 始まる)
• ランチ (ranchi): lunch
• 食べました (tabemashita): ate (polite past tense of 食べる)

Translation hint: The meeting started at 10 o'clock. After that, we ate lunch.

• 彼 (kare): he
• 日本 (Nihon): Japan
• へ行きました (e ikimashita): went to (polite past tense of 行く)
• 日本語 (Nihongo): Japanese language
• 勉強し始めました (benkyou shihajimemashita): started to study (polite past tense of 勉強し始める)

Translation hint: He went to Japan. Thereafter, he started studying Japanese.

§ Indicating a period of time after

その後 can also imply a period of time that followed an event, not just an immediate next action. In such cases, it often refers to what happened "since then" or "in the period following that."

• 彼女 (kanojo): she
• 病気になりました (byouki ni narimashita): became sick (polite past tense of 病気になる)
• ずっと (zutto): continuously, all the time
• 家にいます (ie ni imasu): is at home (polite present tense of 家にいる)

Translation hint: She got sick. Since then, she has been at home.

Notice how in this example, その後 covers the duration from when she got sick up to the present moment, or a specified later point. It's not just about the very next action.

§ Common misconceptions

A common mistake for learners is to confuse その後 with words that mean "later" in a general sense, like 後で (atode). While there's overlap, その後 always refers back to a specific preceding event or time. 後で can simply mean "later, generally, in the future," without a direct reference point.

• あとで (atode): later
• 電話します (denwa shimasu): will call (polite present/future tense of 電話する)

Translation hint: I will call later.

In this sentence, "later" is unspecified. You don't know what event it's 'after.' With その後, you always have a clear reference point.

§ Key takeaways for その後

• It's an adverb meaning "after that" or "thereafter."
• It connects sentences or clauses, indicating a sequence of events.
• No particles are needed directly after その後.
• It can refer to an immediate follow-up or a longer period "since then."
• Don't confuse it with general terms for "later" like 後で.

You've learned that その後 (sono ato) means "after that" or "thereafter." Now, let's look at how this adverb is actually used in real-world Japanese conversations and situations. Understanding these contexts will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

§ その後 in Daily Conversations

In daily conversations, その後 is a very common way to connect events or actions in chronological order. Think of it as a smooth transition, much like saying "and then" or "what happened next?" in English.

§ その後 in a Work Setting

In a professional environment, その後 is crucial for giving updates, reporting on progress, or following up on tasks. It helps to keep communication clear and organized.

Using その後 shows that you are tracking tasks and maintaining a clear timeline, which is highly valued in Japanese business communication.

§ その後 in School or Academic Contexts

In school, その後 is useful when describing sequences of events in history, experiments, or even just daily school activities.

§ その後 in News and Media

News reports often use その後 to update viewers or readers on unfolding events, providing a timeline of developments. This is particularly common in breaking news stories or follow-ups.

§ Key Takeaways for Using その後

To master その後, remember these points:

• It always refers to an event or time that has just passed.
• It's a versatile adverb suitable for formal and informal contexts.
• Listen for it in conversations, news, and even dramas to get a feel for its natural usage.

By actively listening for and practicing その後 in different situations, you'll find yourself using it more confidently and naturally in your own Japanese. Keep practicing!

You're learning Japanese, and that's great! Today, we're focusing on 「その後」(sono ato), which means "after that" or "thereafter." It's a really useful word, but it's also one that learners often misuse. Let's look at some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing 「その後」 with 「後で」

This is a big one. Both mean "later" or "after," but they are used in different situations. 「後で」(ato de) generally refers to a nonspecific later time, or a single action that will happen later. 「その後」, on the other hand, usually refers to what happened next in a sequence of events that have already been established. Think of it like this:

後で (ato de)

Later (general, or single action)

その後 (sono ato)

After that (referring to a specific preceding event or sequence)

§ Mistake 2: Using 「その後」 to mean "then" or "next" when describing steps

While 「その後」 implies a sequence, it's not always the best choice for listing steps or instructions. For that, you might use words like 「次に」(tsugi ni) or 「それから」(sore kara). 「その後」 feels a bit more like a natural progression of events rather than a deliberate, step-by-step instruction.

Using 「その後」 here would sound a bit unnatural. It's not strictly wrong, but it's not the most common or natural phrasing for instructions.

§ Mistake 3: Overusing 「その後」 in sentences

Sometimes learners overuse a new word they've learned. While 「その後」 is useful, you don't need to use it in every sentence to show a sequence. Often, simply starting a new sentence or using other conjunctions can be more natural. Consider this:

• 悪い例 (Bad example): 彼は学校に行きました。その後、彼は友達に会いました。その後、一緒に遊びました。

• 良い例 (Good example): 彼は学校に行きました。友達に会い、一緒に遊びました。

The second example flows much more naturally. Don't feel like you have to force 「その後」 into every opportunity. Sometimes, less is more.

§ Mistake 4: Not understanding the implied context

「その後」 always refers back to something that was just mentioned. If there's no clear preceding event, using 「その後」 will confuse your listener. Make sure the context is clear.

Here, the context is clear: "after watching the movie." If B just said "その後、レストランで食事をしました," without the preceding context, it would be confusing.

§ Practice makes perfect

The best way to get good at using 「その後」 correctly is to pay attention to how native speakers use it. Read Japanese texts, listen to conversations, and try to incorporate it into your own sentences. When in doubt, simplify your sentence or use a more general term like 「そして」(soshite - and then) until you're more confident.

Let's break down another common Japanese word: その後 (sono ato). This is an adverb you'll hear and use a lot. It means "after that" or "thereafter." Simple enough, right? But like many words, understanding its nuances and how it compares to similar terms is key to sounding natural.

Japanese Word

その後 (sono ato)

Word Type

Adverb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

After that, thereafter.

§ Examples of その後

(Ranchi o tabeta. Sono ato, eiga ni itta.)

Hint: I ate lunch. After that, I went to the movies.

(Kare wa Tōkyō ni引っ越した. Sono ato, nani o shimashita ka?)

Hint: He moved to Tokyo. What did he do thereafter?

(Kaigi ga owatta. Sono ato, minna de shokuji ni itta.)

Hint: The meeting finished. After that, everyone went out to eat.

§ Similar Words and When to Use その後 vs. Alternatives

While その後 (sono ato) is straightforward, Japanese has a few other ways to express "after" or "later." Let's compare them so you know when to use which.

• その後 (sono ato): This is your general-purpose "after that." It connects two events sequentially. It can refer to something immediately after or a longer period thereafter. It's often used when you're talking about a narrative flow or a sequence of past events. It can also be used to ask what happened after a certain point.
• 後で (ato de): This also means "later" or "after." The key difference is that 後で often implies a short, unspecified period of time in the near future. It's more about delaying an action or referring to something that will happen later *today* or very soon. You'll often hear it in commands or statements about future plans.

後で電話します。

(Ato de denwa shimasu.)

Hint: I will call you later (e.g., in a few hours, or when I'm free today).

• ～の後 (～ no ato): This structure directly follows a noun or a verb in its plain form + あと (ato) to mean "after X." It's more specific about *what* the "after" refers to.

仕事の後、飲みに行こう。

(Shigoto no ato, nomi ni ikō.)

Hint: Let's go for a drink after work.

食べた後、歯を磨きます。

(Tabeta ato, ha o migakimasu.)

Hint: I brush my teeth after eating.

• それから (sore kara): This means "and then," "after that," or "since then." It's very similar to その後, but それから often has a stronger sense of listing sequential events or can also indicate "from that point onwards." It's excellent for narrating a series of actions.

朝起きた。 それから、朝食を食べた。

(Asa okita. Sore kara, chōshoku o tabeta.)

Hint: I woke up in the morning. And then, I ate breakfast.

The main takeaway: その後 (sono ato) is your go-to for simply stating "after that" in a narrative or when asking what followed a past event. For near-future "later," use 後で (ato de). To specify what an action follows, use ～の後 (～ no ato). And for a stronger "and then" in a sequence, それから (sore kara) is a solid choice.

Practice using these in different contexts, and you'll quickly get a feel for which one fits best.