connective N2 uncommon writtenliterary
のち(に) — after
のち(に)
Meaning
- after ~ / later / subsequently — a formal, written 'after,' often for a notable later development
Key sentence
大学を卒業したのちに、彼は作家になった。
After graduating from university, he later became a novelist.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (た-form) or Noun + の | V-た + のち(に) / N + の + のち(に) | 卒業したのち / 戦争ののち |
When: Written and literary — narration, biographies, formal records. In conversation, 後で is natural.
Examples
戦争ののち、町は大きく姿を変えた。
After the war, the town changed greatly.
よく検討したのちに、ご返事いたします。
After careful consideration, I will give you a reply.
When you can't use it
- Formal and written; for everyday conversation 後で is natural. Often introduces a later, significant development rather than an immediate next step.
Easily confused with
See のち(に) in real sentences
Jengo shows のち(に) the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.