後
behind · back · later
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of '彳' (go), '幺' (thread), '夊' (foot). Dragging feet, falling behind.
Symbolism
Future, next, behind. Represents 'after' in both time and space.
Component Breakdown
彳 + 幺 + go slowly
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
空前絶後
くうぜんぜつご
(so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last
後生大事
ごしょうだいじ
with religious zeal; with utmost devotion; take great care of
事後承諾
じごしょうだく
ex-post-facto approval
前後不覚
ぜんごふかく
unconsciousness; having no recollection of one's actions
最後通牒
さいごつうちょう
ultimatum
鶏口牛後
けいこうぎゅうご
better to be the beak of a rooster than the rump of a bull; better to be the leader of a small group than a subordinate in a large organization; better to be a big fish in a little pond than a little fish in a big pond
先憂後楽
せんゆうこうらく
worrying before one's people worry, enjoying oneself only after one's people have enjoyed themselves (a precept to be observed by a ruler)
面従後言
めんじゅうこうげん
pretending to obey someone to his face but badmouthing him behind his back
後生可畏
こうせいかい
the young should be regarded with respect
前虎後狼
ぜんここうろう
one calamity followed close on the heels of another; out of the frying pan into the fire; tiger in front, wolf in the back
善後処置
ぜんごしょち
remedial measure; settlement (of matters); dealing with the aftermath
前後矛盾
ぜんごむじゅん
self-contradiction; self-inconsistency
後の祭り
あとのまつり
After the festival; Too late, missing the opportunity
Proverbs & Idioms
後悔先に立たず
こうかいさきにたたず
Regret comes too late
It is too late to regret after the fact
Anime & Manga
進撃の巨人 The Final Season完結編 後編
Attack on Titan Final Season THE FINAL CHAPTERS Special 2
A well-known work with 後 in its Japanese title.
先輩がうざい後輩の話
My Senpai is Annoying
A well-known work with 後 in its Japanese title.
キミと僕の最後の戦場、あるいは世界が始まる聖戦
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World
A well-known work with 後 in its Japanese title.
君は放課後インソムニア
Insomniacs After School
A well-known work with 後 in its Japanese title.
最後にひとつだけお願いしてもよろしいでしょうか
May I Ask for One Final Thing?
A well-known work with 後 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
後桃園天皇
Name contains 後
Emperor Go-Momozono , personal name Hidehito, was the 118th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Wikipedia後藤象二郎
Name contains 後
Count Gotō Shōjirō was a Japanese samurai and politician during the Bakumatsu and early Meiji period of Japanese history.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 後 mean in Japanese?
後 means behind, back, later.
How do you read 後?
On'yomi: ゴ、コウ (GO, KOU). Kun'yomi: のち、うし.ろ、うしろ、あと、おく.れる (nochi, ushiro, ushiro, ato, okureru).
How many strokes does 後 have?
後 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 彳 (step).
Is 後 a good kanji for a tattoo?
後 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means behind, back, later. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.