Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • After that; afterwards; then: Indicates a sequence of events, meaning something happens following a previous event or point in time.

Usage

• "Sau đó" is used to connect two events in a narrative or description, showing that the second event occurs later in time than the first. It is placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence.
• It is a common and neutral transitional phrase in both spoken and written Vietnamese.

Usage Examples

• Connecting sentences:

  • Chúng tôi ăn tối. Sau đó, chúng tôi đi xem phim. (We had dinner. After that, we went to see a movie.)
  • Cô ấy học bài xong. Sau đó, cô ấy đi ngủ. (She finished studying. Afterwards, she went to sleep.)

• Within a single sentence:

  • Anh ấy sẽ gặp tôi vào thứ Hai, và sau đó chúng tôi sẽ thảo luận kế hoạch. (He will meet me on Monday, and then we will discuss the plan.)

Advanced Usage

• "Và sau đó": And then; and after that. This is a slightly more emphatic or formal way to link clauses.

  • Họ đã thảo luận vấn đề, và sau đó đưa ra quyết định. (They discussed the issue, and then made a decision.)

• "Ngay sau đó": Immediately after that; right afterwards. Emphasizes a very short time interval.

  • Chuông reo. Ngay sau đó, giáo viên bước vào lớp. (The bell rang. Immediately after that, the teacher entered the classroom.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rồi: Then; and then. A more casual and common spoken equivalent.
  • Tôi ăn sáng rồi đi làm. (I eat breakfast then go to work.)
• Tiếp theo: Next. Often used in lists or instructions.
  • Bước một, rửa rau. Tiếp theo, cắt nhỏ. (Step one, wash the vegetables. Next, chop them.)
• Kế tiếp: Following; subsequent. More formal, often used in written contexts.
  • Sự kiện chính sẽ diễn ra vào tháng tới. Trong tháng kế tiếp, chúng tôi sẽ tổ chức một buổi hội thảo. (The main event will take place next month. In the subsequent month, we will hold a seminar.)

Synonyms

• Sau đấy: After that (similar meaning, slightly less common).
• Sau này: Later on; in the future (refers to a more distant future).

Related Phrases

• Sau khi: After (when). A subordinating conjunction followed by a verb or clause.
  • Sau khi tan học, chúng tôi đi chơi. (After school finishes, we go out.)
• Đó rồi: There it is (a different phrase used to point out something).

1. after that