entonces
then
Reviewed by: David WestfallCofounder
Points at a moment in time, or at what follows from something
Encoding Strategies:
repetition
Entonces means then, and it works just like the English word: it points at a moment in time, or at what follows from something.
entonces
then, at that time (at that time)
Points at a particular moment, usually one already established in the conversation.
Vivíamos en la costa y éramos felices entoncesWe lived on the coast and we were happy then
El tren salió a las seis; entonces ya estábamos dormidosThe train left at six; at that time we were already asleep
then (next)
Points at the moment that comes right after the one just mentioned.
Terminó la carta y entonces la rompióHe finished the letter and then he tore it up
Espera a que hierva el agua y entonces echa el arrozWait for the water to boil and then add the rice
then, so (conclusion)
Introduces the conclusion that follows from what was just said.
Si nadie contestó, entonces no había nadie en casaIf nobody answered, then there was nobody home
¿Se acabó la leche? Entonces tomo el café soloWe're out of milk? So I'll take my coffee black
en aquel entonces
back then, in those days (distant past)
Refers to a period of time in the past. Literally "in that then," with "then" being the moment in time.
En aquel entonces no había carretera hasta el puebloBack then there was no road to the village
Mi abuela cosía toda su ropa en ese entoncesIn those days my grandmother sewed all her own clothes
pues entonces
well then (drawing the obvious conclusion)
Draws the obvious conclusion from what someone just said. Literally, "well then."
Si no te gusta el pescado, pues entonces pide el polloIf you don't like fish, well then order the chicken
No estudiaste nada, pues entonces no te quejes de la notaYou didn't study at all, well then don't complain about the grade