Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Time order with それから
それから means “after that” and usually continues a sequence in time. It is useful when actions happen one after another.
Target signal
朝ごはんを食べました。それから、学校へ行きました。
I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
This is a simple daily routine sequence.
Vocabulary notes
- 行きました
- went
- 食べました
- ate
- それから
- and then; after that
Compare in context
宿題をしました。それから、寝ました。
I did my homework. Then I went to sleep.
Homework comes first, and sleeping comes after it.
Vocabulary notes
- しました
- did
- それから
- and then; after that
- から
- from; because
Compare in context
図書館へ行きました。それから、本を借りました。
I went to the library. After that, I borrowed a book.
Library actions often make a clear two-step sequence.
Vocabulary notes
- 行きました
- went
- それから
- and then; after that
- 図書館
- library
Section 2 of 3
Addition with そして
そして adds another related statement. It often feels like “and also,” especially when the second sentence gives one more quality or one more fact about the same topic.
Target signal
この店は安いです。そして、おいしいです。
This shop is inexpensive. And it is delicious too.
The second sentence adds another good quality of the shop.
Vocabulary notes
- おいしい
- delicious
- そして
- and then; and
- この
- this
Preview
父は会社員です。そして、母は先生です。
My father is an office worker. And my mother is a teacher.
そして can connect two related facts about family members.
Vocabulary notes
- そして
- and then; and
- 会社員
- company employee; office worker
- して
- doing and
Preview
部屋は小さいです。そして、とてもきれいです。
The room is small. And it is very clean.
そして often adds one more description of the same object.
Vocabulary notes
- きれい
- pretty; neat
- そして
- and then; and
- とても
- very
Section 3 of 3
Reading both connectors in short passages
When both connectors appear together, それから usually shows time order and そして usually adds a related fact. Read them as different signals instead of translating both as just “and.”
Target signal
七時に起きました。そして、朝ごはんを食べました。それから、学校へ行きました。
I got up at seven. Then I ate breakfast. After that, I went to school.
The sentence first adds a routine step, then continues the sequence.
Vocabulary notes
- 行きました
- went
- 食べました
- ate
- それから
- and then; after that
Preview
このかばんは小さいです。そして、白いです。
This bag is small. And it is white.
This pattern adds two qualities of one object.
Vocabulary notes
- かばん
- bag
- そして
- and then; and
- 小さい
- small
Preview
まず店へ行きました。それから、りんごを買いました。そして、うちへ帰りました。
First I went to the shop. After that, I bought apples. And then I returned home.
The last sentence continues the order after a short added detail.
Vocabulary notes
- 帰りました
- went home; returned
- 行きました
- went
- いました
- there was; there were (living things)