sau đó

After That

Level 2

Sau đó means after that or then. It connects two separate actions in a sequence, showing what happens next.

How It Works

Sau đó is a versatile connector used to sequence events or give instructions. While common in writing and storytelling, it can sometimes sound a bit formal or narrative for everyday lists of actions. In casual spoken sequences, native speakers heavily prefer using xong rồi or just xong.

How to use it:

  • At the start of a new sentence: [Action 1]. Sau đó, [Action 2].
  • Between clauses: [Action 1], sau đó [Action 2].
  • After a time noun: [Time Noun] + sau đó (e.g., vài ngày sau đó - a few days later).
  • As a noun modifier meaning 'subsequent' or 'following': [Noun] + sau đó (e.g., sự kiện sau đó - the subsequent event).
  • With 'ngay' for emphasis: ngay sau đó (immediately after that).
  • As a variation for instructions or storytelling: tiếp sau đó (following that / next) emphasizes the immediate next step.
  • In spoken Vietnamese, it is very frequently paired with the topic marker thì (Sau đó thì...).

Important Distinctions:

  • sau đó vs. rồi: Both mean 'then'. Rồi is a casual sequence particle ('and then'), while sau đó is an explicit time phrase ('after that'). Native speakers frequently combine them for narrative flow (e.g., rồi sau đó... or sau đó rồi...).
  • sau đó vs. sau khi vs. sau: Sau đó means 'after that' and acts as an independent adverbial phrase. Sau khi means 'after doing something' and must be followed by a verb or clause. Sau means 'after' and is usually followed by a noun (e.g., sau bữa tối - after dinner), but it can also be used at the end of a sentence to mean 'later' (e.g., Tôi sẽ làm việc đó sau).

Examples (4)

  1. Tôi học từ mới, sau đó tôi làm bài tập.

    I learn new words, after that I do exercises.

    Word by Word: I learn word new, after that I do exercise.

    Shows 'sau đó' connecting two clauses in a logical sequence.

  2. Bạn đăng nhập trước, sau đó chọn khóa học.

    You log in first, then choose the course.

    Word by Word: Friend log in first, after that choose course.

    A common way to give step-by-step instructions.

  3. Chúng tôi ăn tối. Sau đó, chúng tôi đi dạo.

    We had dinner. After that, we went for a walk.

    Word by Word: We eat evening. After that, we go stroll.

    Demonstrates 'sau đó' starting a brand new sentence to introduce the next event.

  4. Anh ấy tốt nghiệp đại học, và sau đó tìm được một công việc tốt.

    He graduated from university, and subsequently found a good job.

    Word by Word: Older brother that graduate university, and after that find get one job good.

    'Sau đó' can be paired with 'và' (and) to show a progression of major life events.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'sau đó' instead of 'sau khi' to mean 'after doing something'.

    Sau đó tôi ăn tối, tôi đi dạo.
    Sau khi tôi ăn tối, tôi đi dạo.

    Because 'sau đó' means 'after THAT', it cannot be followed by the action you are doing. If you want to say 'After I eat dinner...', you must use the conjunction sau khi.

  • Placing 'sau đó' before a noun instead of just 'sau'.

    Chúng tôi đi dạo sau đó bữa tối.
    Chúng tôi đi dạo sau bữa tối.

    To say 'after [a noun]' like 'after dinner', use the preposition 'sau', not 'sau đó'.

  • Using 'sau đó' to mean 'later' at the end of a sentence.

    Tôi sẽ làm việc đó sau đó.
    Tôi sẽ làm việc đó sau.

    English speakers often mistakenly use 'sau đó' to mean 'later' at the end of a sentence. However, 'sau đó' requires a specific event to anchor to ('after THAT'). If you just mean 'later' without referencing a specific prior event, use 'sau' at the end of the sentence.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

sau đóLevel 2After That

Learn This First

To understand 'sau đó' (after that), you need to be familiar with the demonstrative 'đó' which points back to a previous context, and the general concept of sequencing events in Vietnamese.

Words in This Pattern

sau đósau