Grammar › Connectors › そして・それから
そして & それから
Both link one sentence to the next. そして simply adds ("and"); それから puts things in order ("and then, after that").
The short version
Both open a sentence and connect it to what came before. そして tacks on one more thing or a result — "…and (also/so)…". それから adds a next step in a sequence — "…and then / after that…". When you're listing what happened in order, それから is your friend.
[A]. そして[B]. — A. And (also) B.
[A]. それから[B]. — A. And then B.
そして — "and (then)"
Adds the next item or the upshot. Slightly more written/tidy than casual speech, and common in narration.
そして昼寝。
And then, a nap. (そして adds the next thing)
それから — "and then, after that"
Marks a step that follows in time. Perfect for recipes, routines and "here's what I did" stories.
それから、初売りにも行きました。
And then, I also went to the New Year sales. (next step in a sequence)
それから湯船に浸かります。
After that, you soak in the tub. (step in a routine)
それからチェコに来ました。
After that, I came to the Czech Republic. (what happened next)
Watch out
それから needs a real sequence. Use it when B genuinely comes after A in time. If you're just adding a second, unordered item, そして (or a plain と / も) fits better.
🗣 In casual talk, people just say で. The shortened で (or で、 / それで) does the everyday work of "and, and then, so" — 「朝起きて、で、顔洗って…」. そして can sound a touch formal in a chatty setting.
Next: から・ので → · 〜てはいけない — must not → · All grammar
Free on Wakatta — learn Japanese by listening. Every example above is a real line from a Japanese podcast, timestamped so you can hear it.