expression, adverb, noun
thereafter; after that; and then
Formal or literary expression meaning 'after doing that' or 'subsequently'. Used to connect sequential actions, often in instructions, historical narratives, or formal speech. Functions adverbially or as a conjunctive phrase.
書類を確認し、しかる後に署名してください。
Please check the documents and sign them thereafter.
まず準備を整え、しかる後で
First, make preparations, and then proceed to the main event.
More common and neutral in modern Japanese; しかる後 is more formal and emphasizes a sequential order of actions.
Casual and widely used; しかる後 is much more formal and often used in written or ceremonial contexts.
From the classical Japanese verb 然り (しかり, 'to be so') in its attributive form 然る (しかる) combined with 後 (のち, 'after'). The phrase literally means 'after it being so', i.e., 'after that'.