JLPT N5
後で
After ~
Structure
Verb た-form 後で
How it works
The grammar point '後で' (ato de) is used to indicate that one action occurs after another has been completed. When used with verbs, the preceding verb must be in the Ta-form (past tense) to show the completion of that action before the next one starts.
Examples
晩ご飯を食べた後で、宿題をします。
After I eat dinner, I will do my homework.
仕事が終わった後で、飲みに行きましょう。
After work finishes, let's go for a drink.
映画を見た後で、デパートに行きました。
After watching the movie, I went to the department store.
Common mistakes
Using the dictionary form (e.g., 食べる後で) instead of the Ta-form (食べた後で). Even if the overall sentence is about the future, the action before 'after' must be in the past/completed form.
Tip
Think of the Ta-form as 'action completed.' You can also use this with nouns by adding 'no' (e.g., 仕事の後で - after work).
More JLPT N5 grammar
See 後で in real Japanese
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