〜てから

〜てから

after doing

Says one action happens once another is done: "after doing X", "do X first, then Y".

Readings

How to form it

Put the verb in the て-form and add から: 食(た)べてから (after eating).
It stresses the order: the first action is finished before the second begins.
With a length of time, it counts from that point: 日本(にほん)に来(き)てから三年(さんねん)になります (it's been three years since I came to Japan).

Examples

シャワーを浴(あ)びてから、朝(あさ)ご飯(はん)を食(た)べます。

I have breakfast after I shower.

宿題(しゅくだい)をしてから、遊(あそ)びましょう。

Let's play after we do our homework.

Notes

てから takes only verbs. After a noun, use の後(あと)で.

Common mistakes

Using it for two actions at the same time. For that, use 〜ながら.

Similar meaning

〜後(あと)でafter
"After", placing one event after another; also works after nouns.

Same form, different meaning

からfrom / because
After the dictionary or plain past form, から means "because": 食(た)べるから.