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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'then' with 然后 (ránhòu)

    Connecting Ideas
    Sequence & Order

    Structure

    Clause 1, + 然后 + Clause 2

    Explanation

    然后 (ránhòu) means "then" or "afterwards" and is used to connect two sequential actions or events. It indicates that the second action follows the first in time. Place it at the beginning of the second clause or sentence to show temporal sequence.

    Examples

    • 先洗手，然后再吃饭。

      Xiān xǐ shǒu, ránhòu zài chīfàn.

      First wash your hands, then eat.

    • 我们先去超市买菜，然后回家做饭。

      Wǒmen xiān qù chāoshì mǎi cài, ránhòu huí jiā zuòfàn.

      Let's go to the supermarket to buy groceries first, then go home and cook.

    • 他想了想，然后点了点头同意了。

      Tā xiǎng le xiǎng, ránhòu diǎn le diǎn tóu tóngyì le.

      He thought about it for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

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    Expressing 'then' with 然后 (ránhòu) | Chinese Grammar