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How to Say "later" in Spanish

English → Spanish

después

adverbA1general
Use 'después' to indicate that something will happen after a specific event or at a later time in a sequence.

Examples

Nos vemos después.

See you later.

luego

/lwe-go//ˈlwe.ɣo/

adverbA1general
Use 'luego' to indicate the next event in a sequence, often interchangeable with 'después' in simple chronological order.
A visual sequence showing a person first putting on socks, and then putting on shoes, to illustrate the concept of 'afterwards' or 'next'.

Examples

Primero vamos a cenar y luego al cine.

First we're going to have dinner and then to the movies.

Termino el trabajo y luego te llamo.

I'll finish work and then I'll call you.

Nos vemos luego.

See you later.

Showing What's Next

'Luego' is a simple way to connect actions in time. It's like a signpost that says, 'Okay, after the first thing is done, this second thing happens.'

Confusing with 'Después'

Mistake: “'Luego' and 'después' are very similar, but 'después' is often followed by 'de' ('después de la clase'). 'Luego' usually stands on its own.”

Correction: Use 'luego' to simply connect two actions in a sentence ('Como y luego duermo'). Use 'después de' to say 'after something' ('Duermo después de comer').

ya

/yah//'ʝa/

adverbB1general
Use 'ya' when referring to something that will happen in the future, often implying a sense of 'eventually' or 'we'll see'.
A signpost with an arrow pointing forward towards a distant, hazy horizon, suggesting the future.

Examples

Ya veremos qué pasa.

We'll see what happens later.

No te preocupes, ya te pagaré.

Don't worry, I'll pay you later.

Ya entenderás cuando seas mayor.

You'll understand eventually when you're older.

Future Signal

When you hear 'ya' used with a future action (like 'veremos' or 'pagaré'), it's a clue the speaker is talking about 'later' or 'some day'.

posterior

/poh-steh-RYOHR//pos.teˈɾjoɾ/

adjectiveB1formal
Use 'posterior' as an adjective to describe something that is located at the back or comes after something else in order or position, not typically for time.
A colorful storybook illustration showing the back view of a person wearing a green backpack.

Examples

La puerta posterior del edificio está abierta.

The back door of the building is open.

En una fecha posterior decidiremos los detalles.

At a later date we will decide the details.

El éxito fue posterior a mucho esfuerzo.

Success came after a lot of effort.

One Form for All

This word is great because it doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine. You can say 'el lado posterior' or 'la parte posterior' without changing the word!

Don't add an 'a'

Mistake: “la parte posteriora”

Correction: la parte posterior

Confusing 'después/luego' with 'posterior'

Learners often mistakenly use 'posterior' to mean 'later' in time. Remember that 'posterior' is an adjective usually referring to physical location (back) or order, while 'después' and 'luego' are adverbs for time sequence.

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