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然后

rán hòu
HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Conjunction Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. then; after that; afterwards

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
以前
yǐ qián

before

refers to 'before' in temporal sequence, opposite of 'after'

Related words

1 item
首先
shǒu xiān

first (of all)

used as 'first' in a sequence, often paired with 然后 in structures like 首先...然后...

Synonyms

2 items
之后
zhī hòu

after; behind

used in more formal contexts, meaning 'afterwards' or 'subsequently'
接着
jiē zhe

to continue

often used in spoken language to indicate 'next' or 'then'

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used in the structure 先...然后... to express 'first... then...', but 然后 must connect two clauses with a sequence.

Common mistakes

Do not use 然后 at the beginning of a sentence as a filler word like English 'and then'. Overuse sounds non-native.

Grammar

Guides that feature 然后

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1 guide
HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min
先, 然后, 最后

Explain routines, instructions, and plans with clear sequencing.

Reading: rán hòu Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
他感到恶心， 然后 呕吐了。
He felt nauseous and then vomited.
我先吃饭， 然后 看电视。
I'll eat first, then watch TV.
老师审视着学生的作业， 然后 指出了错误。
The teacher examined the student's homework and then pointed out the mistakes.
他说话时停顿了一下， 然后 继续讲。
He paused for a moment while speaking, then continued.
然后 呢？
Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 407083)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 然后

学然后知不足
xué rán hòu zhī bù zú

to learn is to know one's ignorance (the Book of Rites 禮記|礼记[lǐ jì])

Child Words of 然后

后
hòu

empress

然
rán

correct