JLPT N5 Vocabulary – Difference between “そして” and “それから”

Table of Contents
1. Difference between “そして” and “それから”
2. When either can be used
3. そして
4. それから
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Do the conjunctions “そして” and “それから” have the same meaning?
A: “そして” and “それから” are used to list consecutive events or multiple items, but “そして” gently shows a connection, making it suitable for contrasting or related content. On the other hand, “それから” emphasizes the starting point or condition of events, highlighting necessary sequence and continuity. Let’s look at the details.
When Either Can Be Used
When describing the following two points, either can be used without a significant difference in meaning, though “そして” connects sentences more gently.
①Connecting events that occurred in succession.
[Examples]
コンビニへ行きました。そして家へ帰りました。
I went to the convenience store. Then I went home.
コンビニへ行きました。それから家へ帰りました。
I went to the convenience store. After that, I went home.
コーヒーを飲みました。そして本を読みました。
I drank coffee. Then I read a book.
コーヒーを飲みました。それから本を読みました。
I drank coffee. After that, I read a book.
②When listing multiple items or aspects
[Examples]
日本はきれいです。そして物価が安いです。
Japan is beautiful. And it has low prices.
日本はきれいです。それから物価が安いです。
Japan is beautiful. Also, it has low prices.
マリアさんは背が高いです。そして美人です。
Maria is tall. And she is beautiful.
マリアさんは背が高いです。それから美人です。
Maria is tall. Additionally, she is beautiful.
そして (JLPT N5)
①When two things are contrasted under the same situation or context
[Examples]
朝はパン、そして夜はごはんを食べます。
I eat bread in the morning, and rice at night.
⇒ “そして” is used here to contrast what is eaten in the morning versus the evening.
春はさくら、そして夏は花火。日本の四季はおもしろいです。
In spring, it’s cherry blossoms, and in summer, it’s fireworks. Japan’s four seasons are fascinating.
⇒ “そして” is used to contrast spring and summer within Japan’s seasons.
②前のことに関連した内容を述べる場合
[Examples]
今月は送別会、そして来月は歓迎会を開く予定です。
This month, we’ll have a farewell party, and next month we’re planning to hold a welcome party.
⇒ “そして” is used here to relate this month’s event to next month’s event.
今日は打ち合わせ、そして明日はプロジェクトの発表があります。
Today is a meeting, and tomorrow there will be a project presentation.
⇒ “そして” is used here because two work-related topics are being discussed in succession.
それから (JLPT N5)
①When one event serves as the starting point for another
[Example]
子供のときに大きい犬に吠えられたんです。それから犬が怖くなりました。
When I was a child, a big dog barked at me. Since then, I’ve been afraid of dogs.
⇒ “それから” is used here because the event “when I was a child” serves as the starting point.
In this case, “それから” has the same meaning as “since then.”
②When the first action is necessary for the second action to occur
[Example]
財布にお金がないので銀行へ行きます、それから買い物します。
I don’t have any money in my wallet, so I’ll go to the bank, and then I’ll go shopping.
⇒ “それから” is used here because going to the bank is necessary before shopping can happen.
③ When adding related information in succession
[Example]
スーパーでパンと牛乳を買ってきてね。それからヨーグルトも。
Please buy bread and milk at the supermarket. And yogurt, too.
⇒ “それから” is used to add additional information.
④ When listing multiple items in chronological order, especially before the final item
[Example]
こちらのコースはまずは前菜、メインディッシュ、それからデザートをお出ししております。
In this course, we first serve an appetizer, followed by the main dish, and then dessert.
⇒ Since dessert is served at the very end of the course, “それから” is used.
Summary
- When listing events that occurred in succession or several items together, either “そして” or “それから” can be used, although “そして” provides a gentler connection.
[そして]
- Used to contrast two items under the same situation or context.
- Used to express something related to the previous content.
[それから]
- Used when one event is triggered by a previous event.
- Used when the first action is necessary for the second to occur.
- Used when adding related information in succession.
- Used when listing multiple items in chronological order, especially before the final item.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. そして
昼は買い物、そして夜は食事しました。
I went shopping in the afternoon, and then had dinner in the evening.
*”そして” is correct because it contrasts what was done in the afternoon and evening.
A. それから
子供のときに日本のアニメを見ました。それから日本に興味をもちました。
I watched Japanese anime as a child. After that, I became interested in Japan.
*”それから” is correct because it implies “since then” after watching anime as a child.
A. どちらでも良い
昨日は8時に家に帰りました。そしてゆっくりしました。
昨日は8時に家に帰りました。それからゆっくりしました。
Yesterday, I got home at 8:00. Then I relaxed.
Yesterday, I got home at 8:00. After that, I relaxed.
*Both “そして” and “それから” are correct because they link consecutive events.
A. それから
まずこのボタンを押して、次にこのボタンを押します。それから最後に「OK」のボタンを押してくださいね。
First, press this button, then press the next one. After that, press the ‘OK’ button.
*”それから” is correct here, as it follows the last step in a sequence.
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