"～てから" (te kara) is used in two main ways. First, it expresses the order of actions ("After doing A, I will do B"). Second, it expresses the start of a period ("Since doing A, [situation] has continued").
Attach "から" (kara) to the Te-form of the verb.
Verb Conjugation
| Masu-form | Te-form + kara | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 食べます (tabemasu) | 食べてから | After eating |
| 終わります (owarimasu) | 終わってから | After finishing |
| 来ます (kimasu) | 来てから | Since coming / After coming |
1. Order of Actions (A → B)
"After doing A, I do B." This emphasizes that action A is completed before action B starts.
手を 洗ってから、ご飯を 食べます。
te o aratte kara, gohan o tabemasu.
I eat (meal) after washing my hands.
宿題を してから、遊びに 行きます。
shukudai o shite kara, asobi ni ikimasu.
I go out to play after doing my homework.
2. Start of a Period (Since...)
"Since doing A..." This usage indicates that a state has continued since action A occurred.
日本に 来てから、3年に なります。
nihon ni kite kara, san-nen ni narimasu.
It has been 3 years since I came to Japan.
Difference between "～てから" and "～たあとで"
| Expression | Nuance |
|---|---|
| ～てから (te kara) | Do B *immediately* after A. Strong connection between A and B. Emphasizes sequence or prerequisite. |
| ～たあとで (ta ato de) | Do B after A finishes (time gap is okay). Simply states the order in time. |
"～てから" emphasizes the sequence, so it is often used when explaining procedures or routines (e.g., cooking instructions).
⚡ Practice Quiz
Check your understanding!