然后 (rán hòu) — then, after that

然后 (rán hòu)

A conjunction used to connect two actions or events in sequence, meaning "then" or "after that." It always follows the first completed action and introduces what comes next.

Meanings

1. [conj] Then, after that (indicating sequence of events or steps).

Example Sentences

我先吃早饭，然后去上班。 Wǒ xiān chī zǎofàn, rán hòu qù shàngbān. I eat breakfast first, then go to work.

先洗手，然后再吃东西。 Xiān xǐ shǒu, rán hòu zài chī dōngxi. Wash your hands first, then eat.

她学了一年汉语，然后去了中国。 Tā xué le yī nián Hànyǔ, rán hòu qù le Zhōngguó. She studied Chinese for a year, then went to China.

我们先看电影，然后去吃饭，好吗？ Wǒmen xiān kàn diànyǐng, rán hòu qù chīfàn, hǎo ma? We watch a movie first, then go eat. Does that work?

Collocations

Memory Hook

然 means "like that / so," and 后 means "after." Put them together: "after that" — things follow in order.