This is the 653rd most frequent Chinese word.
然后
"Then" or "after that."
In this sentence, '然后' is used to indicate a sequence of actions—first having dinner, then going to watch a movie.
我吃了晚饭，然后去看电影。
I had dinner, and then went to watch a movie.
'然后' is employed in this sentence to designate chronological order between answering and explaining.
他回答了问题，然后解释了相关背景。
He answered the question and then explained the related background information.
Here, '然后' is used to connect steps in a process, indicating what happens after the preparation of ingredients.