Meaning
然后 is one of the most common conjunctions in Mandarin, used to link sequential actions or events in time. It indicates that one thing happens after another, similar to 'then' or 'and then' in English. It's essential for narrating sequences of events and is used constantly in everyday conversation.
Usage
然后 is neutral in register and appears in both spoken and written Chinese. It typically comes at the beginning of a clause to connect it to the previous action. Native speakers often use it repeatedly when telling stories or explaining processes. It can be shortened to 然後 in some contexts, but the simplified form is standard in mainland China.
Examples
- 01我先去超市买东西，然后去图书馆学习。, .I'll first go to the supermarket to buy things, then go to the library to study.
- 02他吃完晚饭，然后看了一会儿电视。, .He finished eating dinner, then watched TV for a while.
Characters
Common collocations
- 先...然后...... ...first... then...
- 然后呢and then? (what happened next?)
- 做完...然后...... ...finish doing... and then...
Antonyms
Origin
然 originally means 'in that manner' and 后 means 'after'. Together they literally mean 'in that manner after' or 'after that', which evolved into the modern meaning of sequential connection.