午後

• Reading: ごご
• Romaji: gogo
• Kanji breakdown: 午 (go) — noon, horse (zodiac); 後 (go/ato) — after, behind
• Pronunciation: /ɡo.ɡo/

Meaning

Afternoon; p.m. The second half of the day, from noon to midnight.

Literally 'after noon' — 午 (go, noon) + 後 (go, after). Used with clock times to specify p.m.: 午後三時 (gogo sanji, 3:00 p.m.). Paired with 午前 to form the a.m./p.m. system. Commonly seen on train schedules, appointment forms, and in news broadcasts.

Examples

1. 午後二時に歯医者に行きます。 I'm going to the dentist at 2:00 p.m.
2. 午後は図書館で勉強します。 I'll study at the library in the afternoon.
3. 午後から天気がよくなります。 The weather will clear up starting in the afternoon.

Usage Guide

Context: schedules, appointments, formal time

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 午 (go, the horse hour — noon) and 後 (go, after). Literally 'after the hour of the horse,' following the ancient Chinese zodiac time system.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal