Have you ever tried to explain your daily routine and felt like you were just listing random actions?

“I wash my hands. I eat dinner. I watch anime.”

It sounds a bit like a robot, right?
In Japanese, when we want to show a clear sequence that action A happens first, and then action B follows, we use てから (te kara).

It basically means “after doing” or “since doing.”
More importantly, it often implies that action A must be completed before action B can begin.

Imagine being a kid and hearing your mom say,
“You can play video games after you finish your homework!”
That feeling of “do this first, then that” is exactly where てから shines.

Let’s learn how to connect your actions smoothly and naturally.
Ready? Let’s go!

たあとで (ta ato de) vs てから (te kara)
Both expressions mean “after,” but the nuance is a little different.

たあとで (ta ato de)
たあとで simply shows the order of events.
There can be a time gap between the two actions.

映画を見たあとで、来週の予定を立てます。
えいが を みた あとで、らいしゅう の よてい を たてます。
eiga wo mita ato de, raishuu no yotei wo tatemasu.
After watching the movie, I will make plans for next week. (The planning could happen much later.)

てから (te kara)
てから, on the other hand, suggests a close and natural connection.
Action B happens as the next step after action A.

手を洗ってから、ご飯を食べます。
て を あらってから、ごはん を たべます。
te wo aratte kara, gohan wo tabemasu.
After washing my hands, I eat a meal. (This feels immediate and natural.)

手を洗ってから、おやつを食べます。
て を あらってから、おやつ を たべます。
te wo aratte kara, oyatsu wo tabemasu.
After washing my hands, I eat a snack.

宿題をしてから、ゲームをやりなさい。
しゅくだい を してから、げーむ を やりなさい。
shukudai wo shite kara, geemu wo yarinasai.
Do your homework first, then play games.

説明書を読んでから、使ってください。
せつめいしょ を よんでから、つかってください。
setsumeisho wo yonde kara, tsukatte kudasai.
Please use it after reading the manual.

よく考えてから、返事をします。
よく かんがえてから、へんじ を します。
yoku kangaete kara, henji wo shimasu.
I will reply after thinking about it carefully.

日本に来てから、三年が経ちました。
にほん に きてから、さんねん が たちました。
nihon ni kite kara, sannen ga tachimashita.
Three years have passed since I came to Japan.

<Conversation Example>
A: 一緒にランチに行きませんか？
いっしょ に らんち に いきませんか？
issho ni ranchi ni ikimasen ka?
Would you like to go to lunch together?

B: いいですね！このメールを返信してから、いきます。
いいですね。この めーる を へんしん してから、いきます。
ii desu ne. kono meeru wo henshin shite kara, ikimasu.
Sounds good! I will go after replying to this email.

• Grammar Point: てから (te kara)
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: After doing, since
• Quick Explanation: Use てから to show a clear sequence where one action finishes and the next begins. Useful for routines, rules, and step by step explanations.
  
  

So that’s how we use てから.
It’s a very useful expression when you want to show that one action must happen first before the next one starts.

私は、いつもコーヒーをいれてから、仕事をはじめます。
わたし は、いつも こーひー を いれてから、しごと を はじめます。
watashi ha, itsumo koohii wo irete kara, shigoto wo hajimemasu.
I always start working after making coffee.

Small routines like this are perfect for practicing てから.
Try paying attention to the order of your own daily actions and connecting them smoothly.

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

Get Hikari's JLPT Mock Exams & Preparation Lessons!

Whether you are studying to pass the JLPT or looking for a challenge in your learning journey, these courses are perfect for you!