それから: and then; after that

それから means and then; after that. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to continue a sequence or add the next event.

This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to continue a sequence or add the next event, それから is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.

What does それから mean?

Use それから when you want to continue a sequence or add the next event.

Natural translations include:

• and then
• after that
• and then; after that

The exact English translation changes with context. Focus on the role of the grammar point in the sentence first, then choose the English phrase that sounds natural.

How to form それから

Sentence. + それから + sentence.

Examples of the pattern:

• それから、寝ます
• それから、学校へ行きます
• それから、買い物します

Pay attention to the word form before and after the pattern. Many beginner mistakes happen because the meaning is understood, but the grammar is attached to the wrong form.

When is それから used?

Use それから in situations like:

• telling routines
• narrating events
• adding the next step

Tone and register:

• neutral and conversational
• Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions

それから example sentences

• 朝ご飯を食べます。それから、学校へ行きます。 — I eat breakfast. After that, I go to school.
• 宿題をしました。それから、テレビを見ました。 — I did homework. Then I watched TV.
• 駅で友達に会いました。それから、映画を見ました。 — I met my friend at the station. Then we saw a movie.
• シャワーを浴びます。それから、寝ます。 — I take a shower. After that, I sleep.
• 本を読みました。それから、少し勉強しました。 — I read a book. Then I studied a little.

Read the Japanese sentence first, then check the English translation. Try to notice what the grammar point contributes: question, contrast, reason, time limit, suggestion, negation, comparison, or obligation.

Nuance of それから

The key nuance is moves the story or list forward to the next thing.

This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For それから, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.

For example:

• In conversation, it helps the listener understand moves the story or list forward to the next thing.
• Compared with そして, it has a different job even when the English translation looks close.

それから vs そして

Both それから and そして can express related ideas, but they are different.

それから:

• often means “after that” in sequence
• focuses on what comes next

そして:

• means “and” or “and then” more broadly
• can add information without strong time sequence

Quick contrast examples:

• 朝ご飯を食べます。それから、学校へ行きます。— I eat breakfast. After that, I go to school.
• 朝ご飯を食べます。そして、学校へ行きます。— I eat breakfast, and then I go to school.

If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: ask a question, connect ideas, show a reason, mark time, make an invitation, compare two things, or express obligation.

Common mistakes with それから

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using it for contrast instead of sequence
• Confusing it with しかし
• Using it when no next step or addition follows

A good study habit is to write one short sentence and then change only the grammar point. This makes the difference between similar patterns easier to feel.

Is それから on the JLPT?

Yes. それから is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the words around the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.

Practice questions for それから

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Describe breakfast, then school.
• Say you did homework, then watched TV.
• Make a two-step routine with それから.

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.

Learn それから with Kanjiru

If you want to review それから together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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• JLPT N5 grammar lessons