# sau meaning in Vietnamese: after (A2)

> sau means “after” in Vietnamese. It can also mean behind, next. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/sau-after/ · Updated 2026-10-18

**sau**: after · behind · next

Level: A2 (our estimate)

## 1. after (preposition)

Before a noun or a time: *sau Tết*, after Tết. Before an action, *sau khi*.

- Sau giờ làm, mình đi cà phê nha. — Let's get a coffee after work.
- Sau Tết em đi làm lại. — I go back to work after Tết.

Level: A2

Grammar: [Before and after doing: trước khi / sau khi](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/truoc-khi-sau-khi/)

## 2. behind (preposition)

behind, at the back of

Before a place: *sau nhà*, behind the house; also *phía sau*, at the back.

- Xe để sau nhà. — The motorbike's parked behind the house.
- Con mèo ngủ sau cái ghế. — The cat is asleep behind the chair.

Level: A2

Grammar: [Position words: trên, dưới, trong, ngoài, trước, sau, cạnh](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/location-words/)

## 3. next (adjective)

After a time word: *tuần sau*, next week; *năm sau*, next year.

- Tuần sau em đi Huế. — I'm going to Huế next week.
- Hẹn gặp lại năm sau. — See you next year.

Level: A2

Grammar: [This, last, next: tuần này, tuần trước, tuần sau](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/this-last-next/)

## Opposite

- [trước](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/truoc-before/#s_truoc_in_front): in front

Previous: [sao](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/sao-star/)
Next: [sau đó](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/sau-do/)

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