How to Write 後 (behind, back, later) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) character 後 (“behind, back, later”), indexed under the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step)) radical. Practice 後 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 後ろ (うしろ (ushiro) — behind / back), 午後 (ごご (gogo) — afternoon / PM), 後で (あとで (atode) — later).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (後)
Primary Radical (部首): 彳 — ぎょうにんべん (step)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 彳
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生) (JLPT N5). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゴ, コウ) when 後 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (のち, うし.ろ, あと, おく.れる) when 後 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 後 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 彳 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 彳.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 後
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 後 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 後 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 後 ("behind, back, later") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N5 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 2 (小学2年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 後 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step)) radical (Standalone / Integrated position). Establish the 彳 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 後?
For 後 (JLPT N5), the Onyomi is ゴ, コウ and the Kunyomi is のち, うし.ろ, あと, おく.れる. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ゴ, コウ) when 後 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (のち, うし.ろ, あと, おく.れる) when 後 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 後 includes 後ろ (うしろ (ushiro) — behind / back), 午後 (ごご (gogo) — afternoon / PM), 後で (あとで (atode) — later).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 後 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 後 (behind, back, later), start with the 彳 (ぎょうにんべん (step)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 後 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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