immersionlog
Sign inCreate account

〜てから

after doing, once … (then)

Verb て-form + から

Sign up free to review this point on a spaced schedule.

て-form + から means "after doing A, (then) B", with the emphasis on the order: 宿題をしてから遊びます, "I'll play after I've done my homework", in other words, not before.

Plain て-form joining (起きて、顔を洗う) just lists actions in order. てから insists the first is finished before the second starts, which is why it's the natural choice for instructions: 手を洗ってから食べてください.

It also marks a starting point in time: 日本に来てから三年です, "it's been three years since I came to Japan".

Careful: past + から (したから) means "because I did". The て-form is what makes it "after".

Examples

  • 宿題しゅくだいをしてから遊あそびます。

    I'll play after I've done my homework.

  • 手てを洗あらってから食たべてください。

    Please wash your hands before you eat.

  • 日本にほんに来きてから、日本語にほんごの勉強べんきょうを始はじめました。

    I started learning Japanese after I came to Japan.

  • 先さきに電話でんわをかけてから行いきます。

    I'll call first, then head over.

  • 晩ばんご飯はんを食たべてから、テレビを見みました。

    After dinner I watched TV.

Related