Translation guide
A guide to expressing sequence and consequence in Japanese, covering temporal order, logical result, and discourse flow.
The speaker describes an action or event that occurs following another in time.
The most common and neutral way to say 'after that' in a temporal sense. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
The speaker indicates that one event or state leads to another as a consequence.
Conditional form often used to express 'after/when ~, then ~'. Implies a natural or expected result.
雨が降ったら、試合は中止です。
If it rains, the game will be canceled. (lit. After it rains, the game is canceled.)
Used for inevitable or habitual consequences. Often translates to 'whenever' or 'after ~, inevitably ~'.
The speaker transitions to a new topic or next point in a narrative or explanation.
Both mean 'after that', but その後 (そのご) is slightly more formal and common in writing, while それから is more conversational and often implies a natural sequence. そのあと is a colloquial alternative to その後.
その後、彼は姿を消した。
After that, he disappeared.
それから、どうしたの？
And then what happened?
Do not directly translate 'after that' as あの後 (あのあと) unless referring to a specific previously mentioned event. あの後 means 'after that (specific event)' and is less common as a general sequencer.
まず宿題をして、その後テレビを見た。
First I did my homework, and after that I watched TV.
Very common in casual speech. Implies a natural sequence of events. Often used in storytelling.
買い物に行って、それから映画を見た。
I went shopping, and after that I watched a movie.
Attached to the te-form of a verb to mean 'after doing ~'. Focuses on the completion of the first action before the second.
ご飯を食べてから、散歩しましょう。
Let's take a walk after we eat.
Similar to その後, but slightly more colloquial. Often used in spoken narratives.
会議が終わった。そのあと、みんなで飲みに行った。
The meeting ended. After that, we all went out for drinks.
春になると、桜が咲く。
When spring comes, the cherry blossoms bloom. (After spring comes, they bloom.)
Formal expression meaning 'as a result'. Used in writing or formal speech to state a consequence.
彼は努力した。その結果、試験に合格した。
He worked hard. After that / As a result, he passed the exam.
Means 'next' and is used to introduce the following point or action in a sequence.
まず自己紹介をします。次に、今日の議題について話します。
First, I'll introduce myself. After that, I'll talk about today's agenda.
A polite transition meaning 'well then' or 'now then'. Used to move on to the next item or conclude a topic.
以上で報告を終わります。それでは、次の議題に移ります。
That concludes my report. After that, let's move on to the next topic.