後 — JLPT N5 Kanji | Nihongo Pass

後

JLPT N5

Kun-yomi (Japanese reading)

のち、うし.ろ、うしろ、あと、おく.れる

On-yomi (Chinese reading)

ゴ、コウ

Meaning

Stroke Count

9 strokes

Related Vocabulary

後悔 regret, remorse 最後 the last, the end 以後 after, from now on, hereafter 明後日 the day after tomorrow

📝 How to Remember

「後」has 9 strokes. Break it into smaller visual components — most complex kanji are combinations of simpler parts you already know.

⚠️ Teacher's Note — On-yomi vs Kun-yomi

「後」has both On-yomi (ゴ、コウ) and Kun-yomi (のち、うし.ろ、うしろ、あと、おく.れる). On-yomi is typically used in compound words (two kanji together), while Kun-yomi appears when the kanji stands alone or with hiragana.

🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested

もんだい1 (Kanji Reading) & もんだい2 (Kanji Writing)

「後」typically appears in もんだい1, where you choose the correct reading, and もんだい2, where you choose the correct kanji for a hiragana word. Make sure you can recognize it both ways.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read the kanji 「後」?+

On-yomi: ゴ、コウ. Kun-yomi: のち、うし.ろ、うしろ、あと、おく.れる.

What does 「後」mean in Japanese?+

「後」means "null". It is a JLPT N5 kanji — one of the most essential characters for beginners.

How many strokes does 「後」have?+

「後」is written with 9 strokes.

Is 「後」on the JLPT N5?+

Yes, 「後」is an official JLPT N5 kanji. Knowing all ~110 N5 kanji is essential for passing the exam.

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