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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar ～てから.
You're out in town with your friends. It's almost noon, so you're starting to get hungry. Your friend suggested going to karaoke, but you'd rather eat lunch first. In a situation like this, try suggesting the following:昼ごはんを食べてから、カラオケに行きませんか。
Today let's learn about "～てから".
👉<Use>
"てから" is used to describe the order of actions or events.
It expresses that the action or event before "から" is completed, and then the action or event following "から" is performed.
In English, "てから" corresponds to "after doing something."
"昼ごはんを食べてから、カラオケに行きませんか。" means "“Why don't we eat lunch first, and then go to karaoke?”
⚠ "てから" can only be used once in a sentence, not more than once.
×ごはんを食べてから、お風呂に入ってから、寝ます。
This grammar point is also introduced in beginner textbooks. If you want to review grammar more systematically, having one good textbook really helps:
▶︎ Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
▶︎ Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
👉<Form>
To add "から" to the verb て form.
Verb てform ＋ から
💁Verb てform（どうし て形）
👉<Examples>
1. せんたくしてから、へやをそうじします。
After washing, I clean the room.
2. このレストランは レジで お金をはらってから、食べます。
You pay at the cash register and then eat at this restaurant.
3. メイクしてから、買い物にいきます。
After making up, I go shopping.
4. きのう友だちとカフェでコーヒーを飲んでから、えいがを見ました。
Yesterday I had coffee with a friend at a cafe and then watched a movie.
5. A：いつおふろに入りますか。
B：よるごはんを食べてから、入ります。
A: When do you take a bath?
B: I take a bath after having a meal in the evening.
6. A：きのう運動しましたか。
B：はい。しごとが終わってから、運動しました。
A: Did you exercise yesterday?
B: Yes, I did. I exercised after work.
7. A：このくすりはいつ飲みますか。
B：そのくすりは、ごはんを食べてから飲んでください。
A: When should I take this medicine?
B: Please take the medicine after eating a meal.
8. A：映画を見ませんか。
B：いいですね。でもおなかがすきました。レストランで食事してから、見ましょう。
A: Would you like to see a movie?
B: That sounds great. But I'm hungry. Let's eat at a restaurant and then watch a movie.
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson16), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
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