後の + (Noun)
…left, Rest, Remaining, In, …to, …else
Structure
あと + Phrase
あと + Number +（Counter)
Explanation
The noun 後, which usually means 'after' or 'behind', also commonly refers to a remainder or what is left over. This can be understood as 'the rest of (A)', 'what is remaining of (A)', or 'anything other than (A)'. Let's look at some examples to see this in practice.
後 can be attached to a noun with the case marking particle の, placed immediately before a number, or used to start an entire phrase.
- 牛乳と卵を買っておいて。後の買い物は私がするから。Could you get the milk and eggs? I'll take care of the rest of the shopping.
- 後もう少しで宿題が終わるよ。My homework will be finished in just a little bit.
- 日本旅行まで後五日！Only five days left until our trip to Japan!
Although there are several ways to translate it into English, the fundamental concept of 後 consistently points to what follows or remains after a certain point within a given sequence.
Examples
「映画が始まるまでどのくらい？」
「後十分だよ。」
'How long until the movie starts?'
'It will start in ten minutes.' (after)
田中さん：「じゃあ、僕が掃除をします。」
鈴木さん：「ありがとう。後のことは私に任せてください。」
Tanaka: 'Okay, I will do the cleaning.'
Suzuki: 'Thanks. Please leave the rest to me.' (remaining)
姉：「旅行まで後何日？」
妹：「まだ後三日だよ！楽しみ！」
Older Sister: 'How many days are left until the trip?'
Younger Sister: 'Still three days left! I'm so excited!' (remaining)
母：「野菜と肉は買ってきたわよ。」
娘：「ありがとう。後は何か要る？」
Mother: 'I've bought the vegetables and meat.'
Daughter: 'Thanks. Do we need anything else?' (remaining)
先生：「山田くんと佐藤さんはもう帰ったよ。」
学生：「後のメンバーは？」
先生：「図書館にいるはずだ。」
Teacher: 'Yamada and Sato have already gone home.'
Student: 'What about the rest of the members?'
Teacher: 'They should be in the library.' (remaining)
部長の指示：「この資料の準備は君がやってくれ。後の仕事は別のチームに頼む。」
Manager's Instruction: 'You prepare these documents. I will ask another team to do the remaining work.'
スマホを見ながらつぶやく：「バッテリーが後１０パーセントしかない。家まで持つかな？」
Muttering while looking at a smartphone: 'I only have 10 percent battery left. I wonder if it will last until I get home?' (remaining)
夫が妻に：「冷蔵庫に後少ししかビールがないから、今夜買ってきてくれる？」
A husband to his wife: 'Since there's only a little beer left in the fridge, could you buy some tonight?' (remaining)
「レポートの締め切りまで後二日しかない。もう寝られないな。」
'There are only two days left until the report deadline. I guess I won't be able to sleep.' (remaining)
客：「このメロンパンはまだありますか？」
パン屋の店員：「すみません、後一つだけです。」
Customer: 'Do you still have any of these melon pans?'
Bakery clerk: 'Sorry, there is only one left.' (remaining)
同僚１：「どうしてそんなにのんびりしてるの？プレゼンは明日だよ！」
同僚２：「ええっ！？プレゼンまで後一日しかないなんて知らなかった！」
Colleague 1: 'Why are you so relaxed? The presentation is tomorrow!'
Colleague 2: 'What!? I didn't know there was only one day left until the presentation!' (remaining)
友人たちが話している：「じゃあ、この一切れはケンジくんが食べて。後のものはみんなで分けよう。」
Friends are talking: 'Okay, Kenji, you can have this slice. We'll share the rest.' (remaining)
先生が生徒に：「午前中は授業が三つあります。最初の一つは数学で、後の二つは国語です。」
A teacher talking to students: 'There are three classes this morning. The first one is math, and the remaining two are Japanese language.'