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Definition
The grammar pattern 〜てから is used to express sequential actions, emphasizing that one action must be completed before the next action begins. It is often translated to 'after doing X, then Y.' This pattern is commonly used to describe a series of actions that occur in a specific order.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Te-form | Verb stem + て | 食べる (taberu) becomes 食べて (tabete) |
| Dictionary form | Not used in this pattern | Do not use dictionary form before から |
| Te-form + から | Te-form + から | 食べてから (tabete kara) |
Examples
手を洗ってから、ご飯を食べます。
Te o aratte kara, gohan o tabemashou.
After washing your hands, you eat dinner.
手 (te) = hand, 洗っ (aratte) = washed, から (kara) = after, ご飯 (gohan) = dinner, を (o) = object marker, 食べ (tabe) = eat
宿題を終わってから、テレビを見ます。
Shukudai o owaratte kara, terebi o mimasu.
After finishing your homework, you watch TV.
宿題 (shukudai) = homework, 終わっ (owaratte) = finished, から (kara) = after, テレビ (terebi) = TV, を (o) = object marker, 見 (mi) = see
日本に住んでてから、日本語がもっと上手になりました。
Nihon ni sumonde te kara, nihongo ga motto jou ni narimashita.
After living in Japan, I became much better at Japanese.
日本 (nihon) = Japan, に (ni) = in, 住んで (sumonde) = living, て (te) = te-form, から (kara) = after, 日本語 (nihongo) = Japanese, が (ga) = topic marker, もっと (motto) = more, 上手 (jou) = good, に (ni) = in, なり (narimashita) = became
Context
The 〜てから pattern is used to express sequential actions, emphasizing that one action must be completed before the next action begins. It is often used in everyday conversations to describe a series of actions that occur in a specific order. This pattern is commonly used in casual conversations, but it can also be used in more formal situations.
Watch out
The te-form is used to indicate that an action is completed before the next action begins. Using dictionary form instead of te-form can change the meaning of the sentence.
〜てから emphasizes that one action must be completed before the next action begins, while 〜たあとで is less strict about sequence.
〜てから is used to express sequential actions, not simultaneous actions. Other patterns, such as 〜の間 or 〜のあと, can be used to express simultaneous actions.
Strategy
When using the 〜てから pattern on the JLPT exam, make sure to use the te-form before から and to emphasize the sequential nature of the actions. Pay attention to the context and the meaning of the sentence to choose the correct pattern.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜てから used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
手を洗ってから、ご飯を食べます。
Pattern used: 洗ってから
Te-form + から expresses 'after doing.' 洗うから means 'because I wash' (reason), which is a different meaning of から.
宿題をしてから、テレビを見ます。
Pattern used: してから
してから means 'after doing.' するから would mean 'because I will do' — から after dictionary form indicates a reason, not a sequence.
日本に来てから、日本語がもっと上手になりました。
Pattern used: 来てから
来てから means 'after coming to Japan' — since then, Japanese improved. 来たから would mean 'because I came,' shifting the meaning from sequence to reason.
Interactive
手を______、ご飯を食べます。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.