Structure:

Part A, 后来, Part B

Meaning:

后来 is a time noun, and it can only be used on its own. It describes a certain time period in the past to the present, and it allows the speaker to described what happened in that period.

Examples:

1. 后来 我 去 了 另外 一 家 公司 工作。

    Hòu lái wǒ qù le lìnɡ wài yī jiā ɡōnɡ sī ɡōnɡ zuò

    Afterwards, I went to work for another company.

然后 is used to describe things happens next

Structure:

Action 1 , 然后 + Action 2

Meaning:

然后 is always used in a sequence. It is often used with 先 (meaning “first”)

Examples:

1. 我们 要 去 吃饭，然后 去 超市。

    Wǒ men yào qù chī fàn ， rán hòu qù chāo shì

    I’m going to eat, then I’ll go to the supermarket.