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How to Say "then" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “then” is “después” — use this when indicating the next event in a simple chronological sequence, often after 'first'.

English → Spanish

después

AdverbA1General
Use this when indicating the next event in a simple chronological sequence, often after 'first'.

Examples

Primero vamos al parque y después a la playa.

First we go to the park and then to the beach.

luego

lwe-goˈlwe.ɣo

AdverbA1General
Use this to show a direct continuation or the next step in a process or sequence, similar to 'afterwards'.
A visual sequence showing a person first putting on socks, and then putting on shoes, to illustrate the concept of 'afterwards' or 'next'.

Examples

Primero comemos y luego salimos.

First we eat and then we go out.

Primero vamos a cenar y luego al cine.

First we're going to have dinner and then to the movies.

Termino el trabajo y luego te llamo.

I'll finish work and then I'll call you.

Nos vemos luego.

See you later.

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.'

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').

entonces

en-TON-sesenˈton.ses

AdverbA2General
Use this to refer to a specific past time or to indicate a logical consequence or 'in that case'.
A person looking at an old black-and-white photo of themselves as a child, pointing to it.

Examples

Estudié mucho para el examen. Entonces, saqué una buena nota.

I studied hard for the exam. Then, I got a good grade.

Vivíamos en México en 2010. Entonces, la vida era más simple.

We lived in Mexico in 2010. Then, life was simpler.

Primero terminas tu tarea y solo entonces puedes salir a jugar.

First you finish your homework and only then can you go out to play.

Está lloviendo, entonces no vamos al parque.

It's raining, so we're not going to the park.

Pointing to a Specific Time

Use 'entonces' to refer to a specific moment in the past or future that you've already mentioned. It's like saying 'at that point in time'.

Connecting Cause and Effect

Use this 'entonces' to link a reason or situation to what happens because of it. It answers the question '...so what?'

Not always the same as 'luego'

Mistake: “'Comí, luego salí.' (Sequence)”

Correction: 'Luego' often means 'after that' in a sequence of events. 'Entonces' is better for a logical result: 'Tenía hambre, entonces comí.' (I was hungry, *so* I ate). They can sometimes overlap, but thinking of 'entonces' as 'so' helps avoid confusion.

ahí

AdverbB2General
Use this to pinpoint a specific moment in time when something happened, often translated as 'at that moment'.

Examples

Estaba leyendo un libro y ahí me llamó mi amigo.

I was reading a book and then my friend called me.

continuación

noun (in fixed phrase)B1Formal/General
Use this fixed phrase, 'a continuación', to introduce the very next item in a presentation, list, or scheduled event.

Examples

A continuación, presentaremos los resultados.

Next, we will present the results.

po

pohpo

interjectionB2Informal
Use this informal interjection, mainly in certain regions of Spain, to add emphasis or agreement to a statement.
A friendly person with a thoughtful expression, resting their chin on their hand as if pausing mid-sentence.

Examples

Sí, po. Vamos a comer.

Yes, of course! Let's go eat.

¡Sí, po! Vamos a la playa.

Yes, of course! Let's go to the beach.

Ya, po, apúrate que el bus ya viene.

Come on, then, hurry up because the bus is coming.

Si yo te dije que no, po.

Well, I already told you no.

A Shortened Version

This word is a shortened version of 'pues.' In Chile, people often cut the ends off words, and 'pues' simply became 'po' over time.

Sentence Placement

You almost always find this word at the very end of a short sentence or a command to give it extra punch or flavor.

Using it outside of Chile

Mistake: “Using 'po' while speaking with someone from Mexico or Spain.”

Correction: Use 'pues' instead. While they will understand you, 'po' is uniquely Chilean and might sound confusing or like you are imitating an accent in other countries.

Sequence vs. Specific Time

The most common confusion is between words for sequence like 'después'/'luego' and words for a specific past time like 'entonces'/'ahí'. Remember, 'después' and 'luego' connect events in order, while 'entonces' and 'ahí' refer to a particular point in time.

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