Meaning and Usage
"それから" is a common conjunction used to indicate a sequence of events, meaning "and then" or "after that." It connects sentences or clauses to show what happens next in time.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "それから" in daily conversation when someone is narrating a series of actions or events. It is neutral in tone and suitable for both casual and polite speech.
Typical Collocations
- それから、〜 (And then, ~): Used to continue a story or list of actions.
- それからも (Even after that): To indicate continuation beyond a certain point.
Usage Tips
"それから" is different from "そして" which also means "and then" but is more formal and often used in writing. "それから" feels more natural in spoken Japanese. Avoid overusing it in very formal writing.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "それから" with "それで" which means "so" or "therefore." Remember, "それから" focuses on time sequence, while "それで" indicates cause and effect.