それから
Sorekara[so̞ɾe̞ ka̠ɾa̠]
The Japanese phrase for "and then" is それから (Sorekara).
それから is used to introduce the next event or step in a sequence. It can also be used to add items to a list, functioning similarly to "and also" or "plus" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sore (that) and kara (from), literally meaning "from that" or "after that".
Which one should you use?
While それから is used to sequence events, it is more common in spoken language than the more formal soshite, which also means "and/and then".
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sequence of actions, それから typically starts a new sentence or follows a comma to connect two independent clauses.
How do you pronounce it?
Sorekara
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the phrase それから can be used by itself as a way to say 'And?' or 'What happened next?' when you are waiting for someone to finish a story.
- The word sore in それから refers to something that is mentally present for both the speaker and listener, but not physically present in their immediate surroundings.
- The word から in それから is the same word used to mean 'because' in many other grammatical contexts.
Examples in context
- 私は風呂に入り、それからビールを一杯飲んだ。I took a bath and then had a glass of beer.This sentence shows how to use それから to connect two sequential actions.Tatoeba #152948 by bunbuku, translation #261597 by CK
- 先ず香港に行って、それからシンガポールに行きます。We'll go to Hong Kong first, and then we'll go to Singapore.This sentence shows how to use それから to sequence two different locations.Tatoeba #141915 by small_snow, translation #272655 by CK
- まずは銀行に行って、それからバスのチケットを買うよ。First I'll go to the bank, and then I'll buy the tickets.This sentence shows how to use それから to connect a sequence of tasks.Tatoeba #11512477 by small_snow, translation #947381 by FeuDRenais2
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are discussing their plans for a weekend trip.
- 陽太 Yotaまずは海に行って、それからカフェに行こう。Mazu wa umi ni itte, sorekara kafe ni ikou.First let's go to the beach, and then let's go to a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiいいよ。それから何をする？Ii yo. Sorekara nani o suru?Sounds good. And then what shall we do?
- 陽太 Yotaそれから映画を見に行こうと思う。Sorekara eiga o mi ni ikou to omou.I think we can go see a movie after that.
- 美咲 Misakiそれは楽しそうだね！Sore wa tanoshisou dane!That sounds like fun!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry それから, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
