Japanese symbol for “later”
後
のち
Romaji: nochi
later; afterwards
In Japanese, later is 後, read のち (nochi).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- adj-no, adv, n later; afterwards
- adj-no, n future
- adj-no, n after one's death
- n descendant
Written forms: 後、后. Readings: のち.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “later”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 後日 | ごじつ gojitsu | in the future; another day; later |
| 後で | あとで atode | later (on); afterwards |
| 後の方 | あとのほう atonohou | later |
| 後出 | こうしゅつ koushutsu | later; following |
| 後から | あとから atokara | after; later |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 最後 | さいご saigo | end; conclusion |
| 今後 | こんご kongo | from now on; hereafter |
| 午後 | ごご gogo | afternoon; p.m. |
| 後半 | こうはん kouhan | second half; latter half |
| 後ろ | うしろ ushiro | back; behind; rear |
| 直後 | ちょくご chokugo | immediately following |
See also: Chinese symbol for “later”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.