快速答案
depois 表示较晚的时间；então 推进叙事顺序或引出结果。
可靠的方法是先判断这个词在句子里的功能，再翻译。
每个词的作用
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.
如何选择
- 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.
例句
Falamos depois do almoço.
We will talk after lunch.
Estava cansado, então fui embora.
I was tired, so I left.
常见误区
Both can translate “then,” but então fui embora tells the next result, while fui embora depois stresses timing.
放到语境中练习
从你的真实生活中选一个句子，写两遍：一次用 depois，一次用 então。如果两个版本都可以，说明意思怎样变化。