てからAfter doing; then
Use てから to say that one action is completed first and another action follows. It often presents the first action as a necessary or natural first step.
How the sequence works
The sentence follows the real order of events: action A reaches its relevant completion, and then action B begins. The main clause shows whether the sequence is past, present, future, polite, or a request.
An instruction
手を洗ってから、料理を始めてください。
Please wash your hands before you start cooking.
AnalyzeWashing your hands is presented as the first required step.
Plans and completed sequences
The first verb keeps the same form; the ending of the main verb shows the time and style of the whole sentence.
今晩、夕食を食べてから、映画を見ます。
Tonight, I will watch a movie after eating dinner.
AnalyzeThis is a personal plan: dinner comes first, followed by the movie.
昨日、資料を確認してから、メールを送りました。
Yesterday, I checked the documents and then sent the email.
AnalyzeThe past ending appears on the final verb, while the first verb stays in the same linking form.
A connected first step or simply later
With てから, action A is treated as the connected first step before B. The expression あとで can simply locate B sometime after A, with a looser connection between the two.
More examples
朝ご飯を食べてから、歯を磨きます。
I brush my teeth after eating breakfast.
Analyze仕事が終わってから、買い物に行きます。
I will go shopping after work ends.
Analyze説明を聞いてから、質問してください。
Please listen to the explanation before asking questions.
Analyze駅で切符を買ってから、電車に乗りました。
I bought a ticket at the station and then boarded the train.
Analyzeこの本を読んでから、感想を書きます。
I will read this book and then write my thoughts about it.
Analyze電気を消してから、部屋を出ました。
I turned off the light and then left the room.
Analyze