luego
/lwe-go/
Just like you put on socks first and *then* your shoes, 'luego' tells you what happens next in a sequence.
luego (Adverb)
📝 In Action
Primero vamos a cenar y luego al cine.
A1First we're going to have dinner and then to the movies.
Termino el trabajo y luego te llamo.
A2I'll finish work and then I'll call you.
Nos vemos luego.
A1See you later.
💡 Grammar Points
Showing What's Next
'Luego' is a simple way to connect actions in time. It's like a signpost that says, 'Okay, after the first thing is done, this second thing happens.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing with 'Después'
Mistake: "'Luego' and 'después' are very similar, but 'después' is often followed by 'de' ('después de la clase'). 'Luego' usually stands on its own."
Correction: Use 'luego' to simply connect two actions in a sentence ('Como y luego duermo'). Use 'después de' to say 'after something' ('Duermo después de comer').
⭐ Usage Tips
The Go-To Goodbye
'Hasta luego' is one of the most useful and common ways to say goodbye in Spanish. It's not too formal or too casual, so you can use it with almost anyone.
You see storm clouds, *so* you grab an umbrella. In this sense, 'luego' connects a reason (the clouds) with a logical result (the umbrella).
luego (Conjunction)
📝 In Action
Pienso, luego existo.
C1I think, therefore I am.
No has estudiado nada, luego no te sorprendas si suspendes.
B1You haven't studied at all, so don't be surprised if you fail.
El equipo jugó muy mal, luego perdió el partido.
B2The team played very poorly, therefore they lost the game.
💡 Grammar Points
Connecting Cause and Effect
Think of this 'luego' as a bridge between a reason and a result. It tells your listener, 'Because of the first thing I said, this second thing is true.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Sounding Too Formal
Mistake: "Using this 'luego' in casual chat can sometimes sound a bit stiff or academic. For everyday conversation, 'así que' is often a more natural choice for 'so'."
Correction: For a text message: 'Está lloviendo, así que voy a llevar paraguas.' For a formal essay: 'Las precipitaciones han aumentado, luego es prudente llevar paraguas.'
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Of Course' Trick
The phrase 'desde luego' means 'of course' or 'certainly'. It uses 'luego' but has a fixed meaning. It's a great way to show strong agreement: '¿Vienes a la fiesta?' '¡Desde luego!'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: luego
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'luego' to mean 'so' or 'therefore'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'luego', 'después', and 'entonces'?
They can all mean 'then', but with small differences. 'Luego' and 'después' are best for showing the order of events ('First this, then that'). 'Luego' often implies the next thing happens right after. 'Entonces' is more flexible; it can mean 'then' in a sequence, but also 'so' (like 'así que') or 'at that time' when telling a story about the past.
Can I start a sentence with 'luego'?
Yes, absolutely! When telling a story or listing steps, it's very common to start a sentence with 'Luego, ...' to mean 'Then, ...' or 'Afterwards, ...'. For example: 'Me desperté a las siete. Luego, me duché y preparé el café.'