You’re now Day 63 of your 100-day JLPT N5 challenge.
Today’s grammar, ～てから, is one of the most useful structures in Japanese conversation.
This grammar point helps you connect actions in a natural, fluent way. Once you master it, you’ll sound smoother and more confident in your conversations — an essential step for real-world Japanese use and for the JLPT N5.
Main Lesson: Understanding and Using ～てから
Meaning
～てから means “after doing (something)”.
It shows that one action happens after another, in that order.
Example:
- ごはん を たべてから、べんきょう します。
After eating, I study.
So, the first action is “eating,” and the second is “studying.”
Structure
Here’s how to form it:
Verb (て-form) + から + second action
| Example Verb | て-form | ～てから |
|---|---|---|
| たべる (to eat) | たべて | たべてから |
| いく (to go) | いって | いってから |
| みる (to see) | みて | みてから |
Vocabulary list
| Words | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| まつ | matsu | to wait |
| まがる | magaru | to turn, to bend |
| ならう | narau | to be taught; to learn (from a teacher) |
| すわる | suwaru | to sit |
| やすむ | yasumu | to be absent; to take a day off; to rest |
| うまれる | umareru | to be born |
| しゃしん | shashin | photograph; photo |
| すこし | sukoshi | a little (bit); small quantity; few; short distance |
| じょうず | jouzu | skillful; skilled; proficient; good (at) |
| ばんごはん | bangohan | dinner; evening meal |
Example Sentence
ともだち を まってから、えいが を みます。
I will watch a movie after waiting for my friend.
かど を まがってから、スーパー に いきます。
I will go to the supermarket after turning the corner.
にほんご を ならってから、にほん に いきたい です。
I want to go to Japan after learning Japanese.
いす に すわってから、のみもの を のみます。
I will drink something after sitting down.
やすんでから、べんきょう します。
I will study after taking a rest.
あかちゃん が うまれてから、まいにち いそがしい です。
I have been busy every day since the baby was born.
しゃしん を とってから、うち に かえります。
I will go home after taking a picture.
すこし やすんでから、さんぽ します。
I will take a walk after resting a little.
にほんご が じょうず に なってから、アルバイト を します。
I will get a part-time job after becoming good at Japanese.
ばんごはん を たべてから、テレビ を みます。
I will watch TV after eating dinner.
Conclusion
You’ve now learned how to say “after doing” in Japanese using ～てから — an essential grammar pattern for sequencing actions and building natural, logical sentences.
Here’s what to remember:
- Use verb て-form + から + next action.
- It shows that the first action finishes before the next begins.
- Avoid confusing it with the “because” から.
As you continue your JLPT N5 journey, practice connecting daily activities naturally — “After eating, I study,” “After work, I relax,” and so on. The more you use ～てから, the more fluent and natural you’ll sound.
Keep going strong — you’re over halfway there!
