GRAMMAR DETAIL
～てから
Attaches to the connective form of a verb to show that one action follows after the first has been completed.
Examples
宿題を終えてから、友達に電話した。
After finishing my homework, I called my friend.
Words used
手を洗ってから、食事を始めましょう。
After washing our hands, let us start the meal.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: A verb's
てform is followed byから. - Basic usage:
手を洗ってから、食事を始めましょう。puts finishing handwashing before starting the meal.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Attachment versus reason-marking から
食べてから出るgives the order of eating and then leaving;食べるから待つgives eating as the reason for waiting. Distinguish both the form beforeからand the relationship between clauses.
- Order and the interval
宿題を終えてから電話するmakes finishing homework come first. The form alone does not specify how much time passes between the actions.