Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Then in Spanish: Entonces, Luego, and Después
Entonces · adverb · ehn-TOHN-sehs
The English word 'then' translates to several Spanish words depending on context: 'entonces' (at that time, therefore), 'luego' (afterward, next), and 'después' (after that). Understanding which to use depends on whether you mean sequential time, a consequence, or a reference to a past moment.
Entonces is pronounced ehn-TOHN-sehs with stress on the second syllable. Luego is LWEH-goh. Después is dehs-PWEHS.
Primero vamos al mercado y entonces preparamos la cena.
First we go to the market and then we prepare dinner.
Then in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for then, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| entonces | then | ehn-TOHN-sehs | Default, widely understood |
| luego | then | sequential 'then' (afterward) | |
| después | then | then as in 'after that' |
How Native Speakers Use Entonces
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Consequence or conclusion
No tienes hambre, entonces no cocino.
You're not hungry, then I won't cook.
Entonces is used here to express a logical conclusion or consequence.
Sequential actions
Terminé mi tarea y luego salí a caminar.
I finished my homework and then went out for a walk.
Luego indicates the next action in a time sequence.
Referring to a past time
En aquel entonces, no existían los teléfonos móviles.
Back then, cell phones did not exist.
The phrase 'en aquel entonces' specifically means 'at that time in the past'.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Entonces
Using entonces for sequential events
Incorrect: Desayuné entonces me fui al trabajo.
Correct: Desayuné y luego me fui al trabajo.
When listing sequential actions (first this, then that), 'luego' or 'después' is more natural than 'entonces', which implies a logical consequence.
Confusing luego with 'later'
Incorrect: Te veo luego — meaning 'I'll see you then (at that specific time)'.
Correct: Te veo entonces — meaning 'I'll see you then (at that agreed time)'.
'Te veo luego' means 'see you later' (indefinite future), while 'te veo entonces' means 'see you then' (at a specific agreed time).
Lock in Then Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Entonces used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using entonces in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Primero vamos al mercado y entonces preparamos la cena. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Then in Spanish
- When should I use entonces vs luego vs después?
- Use 'entonces' when expressing a consequence or referring to a specific moment in time, 'luego' for the next step in a sequence of events, and 'después' when emphasizing that something happened after another event with a clearer time gap.
- Can entonces start a sentence?
- Starting a sentence with 'entonces' is perfectly natural in spoken and written Spanish, and it functions similarly to 'so' or 'therefore' in English when introducing a conclusion or next thought.
- What does 'desde entonces' mean?
- The phrase 'desde entonces' translates to 'since then' or 'from that point on' and is used to express that something has continued from a past reference point up to the present moment.