然
后

About

The word 然后 is formed through the logical combination of its two component characters: 然, which originally meant "to be like this" or "in this manner", and 后, meaning "after" or "behind". When fused, they create a sequential concept meaning "after this" or "following this state of affairs", where the first character establishes the existing condition and the second introduces the subsequent event or step. It is a conceptual fusion of circumstance and sequence.

Example Sentences Hide

我先吃饭然后睡觉。

Wǒ xiān chīfàn ránhòu shuìjiào.

I eat first then sleep.

妈妈买菜然后回家做饭。

Māma mǎi cài ránhòu huí jiā zuò fàn.

Mom buys groceries then goes home to cook.

我们上午上课然后下午休息。

Wǒmen shàngwǔ shàngkè ránhòu xiàwǔ xiūxi.

We have classes in the morning then rest in the afternoon.

她看完那本书然后写了一篇评论。

Tā kàn wán nà běn shū ránhòu xiě le yī piān pínglùn.

She finished reading that book then wrote a review.

如果你先道歉，然后他可能会原谅你。

Rúguǒ nǐ xiān dàoqiàn, ránhòu tā kěnéng huì yuánliàng nǐ.

If you apologize first, then he might forgive you.

Word Definition - 然后

rán hòu then; after that; afterwards

Individual Character Details

然 rán
后 hòu, hòu, hòu