てから means after doing. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to show that one action happens after another.
This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, classroom Japanese, and JLPT-style questions. If you want to show that one action happens after another, てから is a useful pattern to learn because it helps you build natural basic sentences.
What does てから mean?
Use てから when you want to show that one action happens after another.
Natural translations include:
- after doing
- after doing
- after doing
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 てから
Verb て-form + から
Examples of the pattern:
- 食べてから
- 勉強してから
- 帰ってから
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 てから used?
Use てから in situations like:
- daily routines
- instructions
- sequencing plans
Tone and register:
- neutral and common
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions
てから example sentences
- ご飯を食べてから勉強します。 — I study after eating.
- 宿題をしてからテレビを見ます。 — I watch TV after doing homework.
- 手を洗ってから食べてください。 — Please eat after washing your hands.
- 日本へ来てから日本語を勉強しました。 — I studied Japanese after coming to Japan.
- 仕事が終わってから友達に会います。 — I will meet my friend after work ends.
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 てから
The key nuance is the first action is completed before the second begins.
This matters because beginner Japanese often uses small words and endings to show meaning that English expresses with word order or helper verbs. For てから, the sentence can change a lot depending on placement and context.
For example:
- In conversation, it helps the listener understand the first action is completed before the second begins.
- Compared with あとで, it has a different job even when the English translation looks close.
てから vs あとで
Both てから and あとで can express related ideas, but they are different.
てから:
- directly connects two actions
- emphasizes order after doing the first action
あとで:
- means “after” and can follow nouns or verb phrases
- may be less tightly connected
Quick contrast examples:
- ご飯を食べてから勉強します。— I study after eating.
- ご飯のあとで勉強します。— I study after the meal.
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 てから
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using dictionary form before から for this pattern
- Confusing it with reason から
- Using it when actions happen at the same time
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 てから on the JLPT?
Yes. てから 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 てから
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say you study after eating.
- Say watch TV after homework.
- Tell someone to eat after washing hands.
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 てから with Kanjiru
If you want to review てから together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: