接下来

• Pinyin: jiē xià lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 (jiē) — to continue; 下来 (xiàlái) — onward, from here

Meaning

Next; from now on; following this. Used to introduce what happens after the current moment or event.

Functions as a transitional phrase to signal what comes next in a sequence of events, plans, or a narrative. Very common in both spoken and written Chinese to shift attention to the next topic or step.

Examples

1. 接下来我们去吃饭吧。 Next, let's go eat.
2. 接下来的几天会下雨。 It will rain over the next few days.
3. 先做完作业，接下来可以看电视。 Finish the homework first, then you can watch TV.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, planning, narration

Tone: transitional

Do Say

• 接下来我说一下今天的计划。(Next, let me talk about today's plan.)
• 接下来该你了。(Next, it's your turn.)

Don't Say

• 不要在句末用接下来，如'我们去吃饭接下来' (Don't put 接下来 at the end of a sentence — it goes at the beginning as a transition word)

Origin & History

Compound of 接 (to continue, to follow) and 下来 (coming down, onward). Literally means 'continuing onward from here.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal