Soshite: How to Use This Essential Japanese Conjunction

Have you ever struggled to connect your thoughts when speaking Japanese? The conjunction “soshite” (そして) is one of those fundamental building blocks that can transform your Japanese from disconnected fragments into flowing, natural speech. This versatile word—meaning “and,” “and then,” or “furthermore”—acts as the perfect bridge between ideas, helping you create more sophisticated Japanese sentences.

What Does Soshite Mean in Japanese?

At its core, “soshite” (そして) functions as a conjunction that connects two sentences or ideas. It’s similar to the English “and” or “and then,” but with nuances that make it uniquely Japanese.

The basic meaning of そして includes:

• And
• And then
• Furthermore
• Moreover
• Additionally

Unlike the て-form which connects actions within a sentence, そして typically links complete thoughts or sentences, making it essential for constructing more complex dialogue or writing.

How Soshite is Formed and Positioned

The structure for using そして is straightforward but important to master:

Grammar Structure:
Sentence A + 。+ そして + Sentence B

For example:

食べる。そして寝る。
Taberu. Soshite neru.
(I) eat. And then (I) sleep.

Interestingly, そして evolved from そうして (sou shite), but in modern Japanese, these words have different usage patterns. While そして functions primarily as a conjunction, そうして can also be used as an adverb meaning “that way” or “like that.”

When to Use Soshite in Japanese

そして serves two primary functions in Japanese communication:

1. Indicating a Sequence of Events

When actions happen one after another, そして helps establish this chronological relationship:

今日は東京に行った。そして友達に会った。
Kyou wa Tokyo ni itta. Soshite tomodachi ni atta.
Today I went to Tokyo. And then I met my friends.

This usage is similar to what we explored in our article on Japanese anime phrases, where sequential storytelling is crucial for following dialogue in your favorite shows.

2. Enumerating Qualities or Characteristics

そして also works wonderfully when listing multiple attributes or observations:

この映画はつまらない。そして長すぎる。
Kono eiga wa tsumaranai. Soshite nagasugiru.
This movie is boring. And it's also too long.

Just as we discussed in our water kanji article, where one symbol carries multiple meanings and applications, そして carries the versatility to connect different types of information seamlessly.

Soshite vs. Similar Conjunctions

Japanese offers several conjunctions that might seem similar to そして at first glance:

• それから (sorekara): More specifically focuses on sequence (“after that”)
• それに (soreni): Adds information but with less emphasis on sequence
• その上 (sonoue): Means “furthermore” or “moreover” with stronger emphasis

As you expand your Japanese vocabulary, understanding these subtle differences becomes more important. Much like how we explained the different uses of “watashi” in Japanese, context matters tremendously when choosing between these conjunctions.

Real-Life Examples of Soshite

In Daily Conversation

このドレスは色がいい、そして値段が安いです。
Kono doresu wa iro ga ii, soshite nedan ga yasui desu.
The color of this dress is nice, plus it's cheap.

In Literature and Media

昼間はパズルにダーツにおやつ、いたずらバレエそしてチェス。
Hiruma wa pazuru ni dātsu ni oyatsu, itazura barē soshite chesu.
In the morning: puzzles, darts, snacks, ballet pranks, and chess.

This example from the Japanese version of “Tangled” shows how そして often appears before the final item in a list—similar to how “and” functions in English lists.

In Formal Writing

当社は新しい製品を開発しました。そして、来月から販売を開始します。
Tousha wa atarashii seihin o kaihatsu shimashita. Soshite, raigetsu kara hanbai o kaishi shimasu.
Our company has developed a new product. Furthermore, we will begin sales from next month.

Tips for Using Soshite Correctly

1. Place そして at the beginning of the second sentence or clause, not in the middle
2. Use a period before そして when connecting complete sentences
3. Consider the tone – そして works in both casual and formal contexts
4. Don’t overuse it – native speakers vary their conjunctions for natural flow

If you’re interested in improving your Japanese conjunction usage, our comprehensive Japanese onomatopoeia guide shows how sound words can complement conjunctions to create vivid, expressive Japanese.

Common Mistakes with Soshite

One frequent error Japanese learners make is confusing そして with だから (dakara), which means “therefore” or “that’s why.” While both connect sentences, だから establishes a cause-and-effect relationship that そして doesn’t imply.

For example:

× 教科書は難しいです。そして、漢字が覚えられません。
○ 教科書は難しいです。だから、漢字が覚えられません。
Kyoukasho wa muzukashii desu. Dakara, kanji ga oboeraremasen.
The textbook is difficult. That's why I can't remember the kanji.

Using そして here would simply list two facts without indicating that the difficulty causes the memory problem.

Incorporating Soshite Into Your Japanese

To master そして, try these practice techniques:

1. Create sentence pairs connecting related ideas with そして
2. Listen for そして in anime or J-dramas and note its usage
3. Use flashcards with example sentences featuring そして
4. Practice writing short paragraphs using そして to connect thoughts

For more practice with essential Japanese grammar points like そして, check out our free Japanese learning guides where you’ll find additional exercises and examples.

Q&A About Soshite

What is the basic meaning of そして (soshite)?

Soshite means “and” or “and then” in Japanese. It connects sentences or ideas in sequence.

Where should I place そして in a sentence?

Place そして at the beginning of the second sentence or clause you wish to connect to the first one.

Can そして be used in formal writing?

Yes, そして is appropriate for both casual conversation and formal contexts like business writing or academic papers.

What’s the difference between そして and それから?

While both can mean “and then,” それから more specifically indicates sequential order (“after that”), while そして can also express addition without strict sequence.

How is そして different from the て-form for connecting actions?

The て-form connects actions within a single sentence, while そして typically connects separate sentences or independent clauses.

By mastering そして and other essential conjunctions, you’ll take a significant step toward fluent, natural-sounding Japanese. Whether you’re describing a sequence of events or adding important information to a previous statement, そして provides the perfect bridge between your ideas.

Ready to take your Japanese skills to the next level? Visit our learn Japanese page for free guides that will help you master not just conjunctions, but the entire breadth of this beautiful language.