How to say “then”: Italian grammar lesson 59

Summary

Master the art of Italian timing with our guide! Learn how to seamlessly weave “poi” and “dopo” into your Italian conversations, ensuring your stories flow as smoothly as a fine Chianti. 🍷

  • Chronological Chatter: Keep your Italian tales tidy by using “poi” to indicate the sequence of events. It’s the breadcrumb trail that leads your listeners through your story. 🗺️
  • First Things First: Kick off with “prima” when you’re setting the stage. It’s like saying “once upon a time” before diving into the action. 🏰
  • Effortless Elegance:Poi” is your go-to for a smooth transition between activities. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a well-oiled door hinge. 🚪✨
  • Question Queue: When you’re digging for details, pop a “poi” into your question. It’s like a friendly nudge for more juicy info. 🕵️‍♂️
  • Synonym Swap: Feel free to flirt with “dopo” as a synonym for “poi“. Variety is the spice of life, after all! 🌶️
  • Breakfast to Bath: Use “dopo” to describe your morning routine or any other back-to-back activities. It’s the thread that strings your pearls of daily doings. 🧵📿

My thoughts

How to say then in Italian?

Explaining what we did in a chronological way is always useful in any language. It helps us organize ideas and events and lets others understand the order of these events.

To see if you can spot the equivalent of then take a look at some sentences.

Prima sono andato a fare la spesa e poi ho cucinato.

First, I went to do the groceries and then I cooked.

Siamo andate al cinema e poi a casa.

We went to the cinema and then home.

How to say then

How to use poi?

You probably guessed we use the word poi to mean then. It’s short so it shouldn’t be hard to remember.

If you want to be more specific, you might start a sentence with prima (first)  and add poi to continue your sentence.

But this is not mandatory because if we use the word poi, we know we’re talking about an event that happened after another event.

Here are more examples:

Roberta andrà in Portogallo e poi in Spagna.

Roberta will go to Portugal and then to Spain.

Prima fate i compiti e poi potete uscire.

Do your homework first and then you can go out.

A: Siamo andati ad un concerto.
B: E poi cosa avete fatto?

A: We went to a concert.
B: And then what did you do?

Then in Italian

How to use dopo?

Free Guide
How to Learn Languages Fast

You probably already heard the word dopo. Basically, it’s a synonym of poi. It’s slightly longer but you could replace poi with dopo.

Have a look at the examples below:

Di solito, prima faccio colazione e dopo faccio la doccia.

Usually, I have breakfast first, and then I have a shower.

Marco è andato dal dottore e dopo a giocare a calcio.

Marco went to the doctor’s and then to play soccer.

Poi meaning

How to use "poi"?

We use the word "poi" when we’re talking about an event that happened after another event.

What is "dopo"?

It’s a synonym of "poi" and can be used interchangeably.

Follow me to fluency​

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free courses and other resources.

3 Responses

    1. Hi Pilu, I’m so glad you found my video helpful. Feel free to comment any time if you have any more questions. 🙂

    2. Hi Pilu, I’m delighted to hear that you find our videos useful! Your feedback is greatly appreciated. If you have any more questions or need further clarification on any aspect of the Italian language or culture, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help!

Leave a Reply

Take a free lesson today!

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lessons and other resources.

I’ll also deliver my free resources my best offers to your mailbox (opt out at any time).

Discover essential tips and tricks to master Italian pronunciation and speak like a native. Let’s unlock the secrets together. The Importance of Proper Italian Pronunciation The Italian language is not...
Italian grammar is a fundamental aspect of learning the Italian language. It encompasses various rules and structures that govern the formation and arrangement of words into meaningful sentences. Understanding Italian...
How to use reflexive verbs in Italian? Learn the grammar with simple rules and examples and practice with audio lessons.
What are negative orders with pronouns in Italian? We have learned that in Italian, in the positive imperative pronouns join onto the end of the verb, forming a single word:...
Try my courses for free​
Stefano

Log in

Reset password or get in touch.

Not a member yet? Join today!

How long to fluency?

Find out how long it will take you to master Italian!
Get on the right track in 3 minutes.

dolce vita logo

We're already friends!

Coming from Luca and Marina?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
all language resources

We're already friends!

Coming from All Language Resources?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
GRAB A COUPON NOW, REDEEM IT LATER
50% OFF

To receive free resources once a week together with my best offers, just tell me where to send everything. Opt out at any time.

Create a free lifetime account to get access to all the free lesson and other resources.