What does ～てから mean? Japanese grammar N5

How to use it

Emphasize the order: finish A completely, then do B.

• てから emphasizes that A must be FINISHED before B happens.
• Unlike the plain て form (which just links a sequence of actions), てから emphasizes the order more clearly.

Examples

• 宿題(しゅくだい)をしてから、遊(あそ)びます。

  I will play after finishing my homework.

• 手(て)を洗(あら)ってから、ご飯(はん)を食(た)べます。

  I eat after washing my hands.

Common mistakes

• Wrong宿題(しゅくだい)をするから、遊(あそ)びます。

  Correct宿題(しゅくだい)をしてから、遊(あそ)びます。

  するから means "because I do homework" (a reason) — a completely different meaning. "After doing" must use the て form + から.

Exam tips

• Tests often trap the pair してから (after doing) vs するから (because) — pay attention to the verb form.

Related patterns

• て形 (te-form)
• ～から (reason)