Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 2
〜てから~te kara
after doing something
Use「〜てから」to show that one action is finished before the next action begins.
How it works

In the picture, do you fill out the medical questionnaire first, or wait first? Follow the arrow to check the order.

「てから」 means you finish the first action, then do the next one.

Put the first verb in the て-form, then add 「から」: 書いてから, 飲んでから.

「てから」 only shows the order. To stress that the next action happens right away, add 「すぐに」.

In the medicine example, you take the medicine first, then eat. Look before and after 「から」 so you don’t reverse the order.

In the questionnaire example, finish filling it out before you wait. You are not filling it out and waiting at the same time.
Example sentences
- 薬kusuriをo飲んnonでdeから、karaご飯gohanをo食べtabeてteください。kudasai
Please eat after taking your medicine.
In a conversation

- A診察室に入ってもいいですか。
A: May I enter the examination room?
- Bはい、検温してから入って
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I took the medicine and went to sleep right away.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
検温 診察室に入ってください。
Please enter the examination room after taking your temperature.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜てからafter doing something

