手早い答え
depois は後の時点、então は次の展開や結果を表します。
確実な見分け方は、英語から訳す前に、その単語の働きを見きわめることです。
それぞれの単語の働き
depois
after or later
Use depois for a later time or a position after another event.
então
then or so
Use então for the next step in a narrative or a consequence.
選び方
- depois: Choose depois if the sentence points to a later time or a position after another event.
- então: Choose então if the sentence points to the next step in a narrative or a consequence.
例文
Falamos depois do almoço.
We will talk after lunch.
Estava cansado, então fui embora.
I was tired, so I left.
よくある落とし穴
Both can translate “then,” but então fui embora tells the next result, while fui embora depois stresses timing.
文脈の中で練習する
自分の実生活から文を一つ選び、二回書いてみましょう。一度はdepoisで、もう一度はentãoで。どちらも成り立ちそうなら、意味の違いを言葉にしてみましょう。