後回し

• Reading: あとまわし
• Romaji: atomawashi
• Kanji breakdown: 後 (go/ato) — after, later; 回 (kai/mawa) — turn, revolve
• Pronunciation: /a.to.ma.wa.ɕi/

Meaning

Putting off; postponing; deferring to later.

Describes the act of delaying something by pushing it to a later time. Almost always used with にする (atomawashi ni suru — to put off). Carries a slightly negative nuance, implying the task should have been done sooner.

Examples

1. 面倒な仕事をいつも後回しにしてしまう。 I always end up putting off tedious tasks.
2. 健康診断を後回しにしていたら、体調を崩した。 I kept putting off my health checkup and ended up getting sick.
3. 大事なことを後回しにする癖を直したい。 I want to break the habit of putting off important things.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, self-improvement

Tone: slightly negative

Origin & History

Compound of 後 (ato, after/later) + 回し (mawashi, turning/sending around). Literally 'turning to later' — sending a task to the back of the queue.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal