後ろ

• Reading: うしろ
• Romaji: ushiro
• Kanji breakdown: 後 (ushi/go/kou) — after, behind, rear
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ɕi.ɾo/

Meaning

Back; behind; rear. The area at the back of something or someone.

A noun indicating the space behind something. Often used with the particle に to mark location (後ろに = behind). Distinct from 裏 (ura, the hidden back side of an object). In polite speech, 後ろ is neutral and can be used freely in any context.

Examples

1. 学校の後ろに山があります。 There is a mountain behind the school.
2. 後ろの席に座ってもいいですか。 May I sit in the back seat?
3. だれかが後ろに立っています。 Someone is standing behind me.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, position, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. Related to the verb 後る (okuru, to fall behind). The kanji 後 means after or behind, and ろ is an old suffix indicating direction.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal