接着
and then, next (one action straight after another) · carry on (doing something after a pause)
Structure
动作1 ，接着 + 动作2 · 接着 + 动词
What it means
Before the second of two actions, “and then, next”, with no gap in between. On its own before a verb, “carry on” after a pause.
How it is built
Action 1，接着 + action 2: 我们先去银行，接着去超市 (We’ll go to the bank, then the supermarket). 接着 + verb: 休息一下，我们接着讲 (Let’s take a break, then carry on).
When to use it
然后 also means “then”, but 接着 suggests the next step follows straight on. Only 接着 can mean “carry on”: 你接着说 (Go on, keep talking).
Watch out
✗ 你然后说。 ✓ 你接着说。 然后 can’t mean “carry on”.
Examples
奶奶看了看大卫，接着问：“你今年多大了？”
Grandma took a look at David, then asked: “How old are you?”
我们先去银行，接着去超市买东西。
We’ll go to the bank first, and then to the supermarket.
休息一下，我们接着讲。
Let’s take a short break, then carry on.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 26: 我都不认得了 (I hardly recognise it)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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