Japanese grammar

What does ～たあとで mean? Japanese grammar N5

～たあとで means after ~.

Quick facts
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N5
Structure	V(た形) + あとで N + の + あとで
Romaji	~ ta ato de
Meaning	after ~

How to use it

Action B happens after A.

Opposite of まえに: before あとで, the た form (past) is used, even when the whole sentence is about the future.
With a noun: 授業のあとで.
Close in meaning to てから, but あとで is more neutral about order, while てから emphasizes "only after it's fully finished".

Examples

授業(じゅぎょう)が終(お)わったあとで、図書館(としょかん)へ行(い)きます。
I will go to the library after class ends.
食事(しょくじ)のあとで薬(くすり)を飲(の)みます。
I take medicine after meals.

Common mistakes

Wrong授業(じゅぎょう)が終(お)わるあとで

Correct授業(じゅぎょう)が終(お)わったあとで

Before あとで, use the た form, not the dictionary form (opposite of まえに).

Related patterns

All N5 grammar →