V た-form / N の + あとで (V-ta / N no + ato de) — After ~, do the next thing
The pattern for saying the order: first this finishes, then that happens.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
「〜あとで」shows the order: the first action finishes, then the second one happens.
How to attach
There are two ways to attach it: the た form of a verb + あとで (食べた あとで), and a noun + の + あとで (会議の あとで).
Versus what you know
- N5The difference from 「〜てから」is small: てから ties the two actions closely, "only after this, right away", while あとで just gives a loose order, "after that, at some point".
- One more difference — あとで can attach to a noun (会議の あとで), but てから cannot.
Watch out
Here is the biggest trap — the first verb always stays in the た form, even when the sentence is about the future: 仕事が 終わった あとで、買い物に 行きます.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
仕事が 終わった あとで、買い物に 行きます。
しごとが おわった あとで、かいものに いきます。
After work finishes, I will go shopping.
会議の あとで、部長に 話します。
かいぎの あとで、ぶちょうに はなします。
After the meeting, I will talk to the department manager.
ご飯を 食べた あとで、薬を 飲んで ください。
ごはんを たべた あとで、くすりを のんで ください。
Please take the medicine after you eat.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
What goes in the gap in 「仕事が ___ あとで、帰ります」?
💡 Hint: The form does not change even when the sentence is about the future.
あとで always takes the た form — 終わった あとで. 帰ります already shows the future.
Which correctly says "after the meeting"?
💡 Hint: A noun needs の.
Noun + の + あとで = 会議の あとで. てから, on the other hand, cannot attach to a noun.
Which sentence is wrong?
💡 Hint: てから attaches only to the て form of a verb.
あとで attaches to a noun + の (食事の あとで) and to the た form. てから attaches only to the て form of a verb — 食事してから. On top of that, てから gives the closer link of "only after this, right away", while あとで just gives the order.
Your score: /3