〜てから

〜てから is a て-form extension that expresses after doing ~. The て-form is one of the most productive patterns in Japanese — by combining it with various helper verbs and expressions, you can express a wide range of meanings from ongoing actions to requests to sequential events.

This is an intermediate pattern used regularly in everyday Japanese conversation and writing.

When to Use#

• Sequential actions: ご飯を食べてから、出かけます (After eating, I'll go out)
• Precondition: 考えてから決める (I'll decide after thinking about it)

When NOT to Use#

• In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

• 起きてからベッドを整えます。 — I make my bed after waking up.
• シャワーを浴びてから服を着ます。 — I take a shower and then get dressed.
• 顔を洗ってから、朝ごはんを食べます。 — After washing my face, I eat breakfast.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Using 〜てから interchangeably with 〜後で — These patterns are similar but not identical. 〜後で (after ~) may be preferred in different contexts or registers.
2. Incorrect て-form conjugation — Make sure you correctly form the て-form of the preceding verb before attaching this pattern. Group 1 verbs have sound changes (く→いて, ぐ→いで, す→して, etc.).

Related Patterns#

• 〜後で (after ~) — Similar
• 〜ている (ongoing action / state) — Next step