1. at that time; in the past or future
在那時；當時；到那時
I was living in London then.
我那時住在倫敦。
We'll see you then.
我們到時見。
Back then, things were very different.
在那個時候，情況非常不同。
Then Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
then
adverb
快速理解
What does "Then" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Then"?
「then」主要用於表示時間順序、邏輯結果，或在對話中帶入下一個話題。
- 1
時間上的「之後」
EN: at that time in the past or future
翻譯: 指過去或未來的某個特定時間點。
- 2
順序上的「接著」
EN: next in order of time
翻譯: 表示一系列事件中，緊接在另一事件之後發生。
- 3
邏輯上的「那麼」
EN: in that case; therefore
翻譯: 根據前述情況，引導出一個結果或結論。
- 4
附加的「另外」
EN: in addition; also
翻譯: 用於對話或敘述中，補充額外的資訊或觀點。
小提醒：注意「then」和「than」的拼寫與發音完全不同。「then」談時間與順序，而「than」用於比較。
發音（How to Pronounce "Then" in English）
How to pronounce "Then" in English?"Then" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Then" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“Uh, and ever since, North Korea has been building up its nuclear arsenal and it has shunned really all attempts by the US- that was under then President Biden- to talk, attempts by the South Koreans to talk, and it has made clear really for the past three years that it will not give up its nuclear arsenal anymore, That it will not return to the table on the same premise that it did back in 2018, 2019..”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Then"?How does "Then" change by context?
2. next; after that
接著；然後
First, mix the flour and eggs. Then, add the milk.
首先，將麵粉和雞蛋混合。然後，加入牛奶。
He finished his work and then went home.
他完成工作，然後就回家了。
3. in that case; therefore
那麼；那樣的話；因此
If you're tired, then you should rest.
如果你累了，那麼你應該休息。
You don't agree? Then what is your suggestion?
你不同意？那麼你的建議是什麼？
4. in addition; also
此外；而且
There's the cost of the materials, and then there's the labor.
有材料的成本，此外還有勞力成本。
He's funny, and then he's very kind.
他很風趣，而且非常善良。
5. existing or being so at that time
當時的
The then president made an important announcement.
當時的總統發表了一項重要聲明。
She was the then world champion.
她是當時的世界冠軍。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Then"?How to make natural sentences with "Then"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| then | 那時，當時 | I was living in London then. (那時我住在倫敦。) |
| then | 然後，接著 | Finish your homework, then you can watch TV. (先寫完功課，然後你才能看電視。) |
| then | 那麼，既然如此 | You don't like it? Then what do you suggest? (你不喜歡？那麼你有什麼建議？) |
| then | 此外，還有 | There's the cost of materials, and then there's labor. (有材料成本，此外還有工資。) |
| then | 用於表示時間順序 (從過去到未來) | First we'll eat, then we'll go for a walk. (我們先吃飯，然後去散步。) |
| ... and then some | 而且還不止，遠超過 | The repair will cost $500, and then some. (修理費要500美元，而且可能還不止。) |
| now and then | 偶爾，有時 | I like to go hiking now and then. (我偶爾喜歡去健行。) |
| then again | 不過，話說回來 | I thought the movie was great. Then again, I love musicals. (我覺得這部電影很棒。不過話說回來，我本來就喜歡音樂劇。) |
用法說明
How is "Then" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Then"?
then 與其他時間副詞的區別
- then 通常指代一個明確的、先前提到或暗示的時間點或事件順序（「在那時」、「接著」），而非持續的時間段。
- now 與 then 常形成對比，表示「現在」與「那時/然後」的區別。
- 在條件句中，then 常與 if 搭配，引導出結果，但本身不是條件連接詞。
- 與 at that time 相比，then 更簡潔，且在序列中（first... then...）有獨特用法。
對比例句： EN: Finish your work, and then you can relax. 翻譯: 先完成你的工作，然後你就可以休息了。
EN:If it rains, then the event will be moved indoors.
翻譯:如果下雨，那麼活動將移到室內舉行。
總結建議
在表示時間順序或條件結果時使用 then；要描述一個持續的「那段時間」或更正式地強調特定時刻，可考慮使用 at that time 或 during that period。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Then" and similar words?How to choose "Then" vs alternatives?
then vs than
"then" 表示時間或順序，而 "than" 用於比較。
then vs at that time
"then" 較為簡潔通用，"at that time" 更正式且強調特定時間點。
then vs next
"then" 強調時間或邏輯上的接續，"next" 強調序列中的下一個。
口語用法
How is "Then" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Then"?
引述
在對話中，常用來引述或總結對方剛說過的話，表示「照你這麼說」或「那樣的話」。 EN: A: I won't be able to make it to the party. B: Then we'll just have to celebrate without you. 翻譯: A: 我沒辦法去派對了。 B: 那我們只好自己慶祝了。
EN:A: The store is closed. B: Then I guess we'll come back tomorrow.
翻譯:A: 店關了。 B: 那我想我們明天再來吧。
語氣強調
用於加強語氣，表示結果或推論，常帶有「那麼」、「這樣一來」的意味，有時會稍微拉長發音。 EN: If you really don't care, then why are you so upset? 翻譯: 如果你真的不在乎，那你為什麼這麼生氣？
EN:You ate all the cake? Then there's none left for me!
翻譯:你把蛋糕全吃光了？那不就沒我的份了！
停頓填充
作為思考時的停頓填充詞，類似「呃…」、「那個…」，用來爭取時間組織接下來要說的話。 EN: So, what we need to do is... then... maybe we should start by making a list. 翻譯: 所以，我們需要做的是…那個…也許我們應該先列個清單。
EN:I was going to the bank, and then... oh, I forgot my wallet!
翻譯:我正要去銀行，然後…啊，我忘了帶錢包！
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 then 用作單純的停頓填充詞。引述或推論用法也應使用更精確的連接詞（如 therefore, consequently, in that case）來替代，以使文意更清晰、結構更嚴謹。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Then"?What fixed phrases with "Then" should I remember?
then and now
then and now
過去與現在；今昔對比
now and then
now and then
偶爾；有時
back then
back then
在那個時候；當時
since then
since then
從那時起；自此之後
until then
until then
直到那時；在那之前
just then
just then
就在那時
every now and then
every now and then
偶爾；不時地
if... then...
if [condition], then [result]
如果…那麼…（表示條件與結果）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Then"?Which "Then" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×She is taller then me.
✓She is taller than me.
"then" 表示時間或順序，而 "than" 用於比較。中文學習者常因發音相似而混淆。
×If you finish your homework, then you can watch TV.
✓If you finish your homework, you can watch TV.
在 "if" 條件句中，"then" 通常可以省略，加上它會顯得多餘且不自然。在正式寫作中尤其應避免。
×First we'll eat, and then we'll go for a walk.
✓First we'll eat, then we'll go for a walk.
在列舉順序時，"and then" 中的 "and" 通常是多餘的。"First... then..." 或 "First... next... then..." 的結構更為簡潔。
×I was tired then, but I am energetic now.
✓I was tired back then, but I am energetic now.
當對比過去某個特定時間點與現在時，使用 "back then" 或 "at that time" 比單獨使用 "then" 更自然，更能強調時間距離。
×Then the meeting ended.
✓After that, the meeting ended.
單獨以 "Then" 開頭一個句子來敘述事件順序，在正式寫作中可能顯得不連貫。使用 "After that,"、"Next," 或 "Subsequently," 會更好。但在口語或非正式寫作中是可接受的。
×It's raining, then we should bring an umbrella.
✓It's raining, so we should bring an umbrella.
"then" 主要表示時間順序，而非因果關係。表示邏輯結果或推論時，應使用 "so"、"therefore" 或 "thus"。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Then"?What are tense/participle forms of "Then"?