Dann vs. damals
While both German words dann and damals can be translated as "then" in English, they are not interchangeable. They refer to time in fundamentally different ways: dann indicates a sequence of events, while damals refers to a specific period in the past.
Dann
A1The word dann primarily means "then" or "next" and is used to describe a logical or chronological sequence of events. It answers the question "What happens next?". It can be used for events in the past, present, or future. It can also mean "in that case" in conditional sentences.
Zuerst putze ich die Zähne, dann gehe ich schlafen.
(First I brush my teeth, then I go to sleep.)
Wir haben gegessen und dann einen Film geschaut.
(We ate and then watched a movie.)
Wenn es morgen regnet, dann bleiben wir zu Hause.
(If it rains tomorrow, then we will stay home.)
Er dachte kurz nach, dann antwortete er.
(He thought for a moment, then he answered.)
Ich fahre zur Arbeit, dann kaufe ich ein.
(I will drive to work, then I will go shopping.)
Damals
A2The word damals means "back then," "at that time," or "in those days." It always refers to a specific, completed point or period in the past, often one that is somewhat distant or contrasts with the present. It is used to set a scene in a bygone era.
Damals, als meine Großmutter jung war, gab es keine Computer.
(Back then, when my grandmother was young, there were no computers.)
Ich habe ihn 2005 kennengelernt. Er hatte damals noch lange Haare.
(I met him in 2005. He still had long hair at that time.)
Damals wohnten wir in Berlin, heute leben wir in Hamburg.
(Back then we lived in Berlin, today we live in Hamburg.)
Die Beatles waren damals unglaublich populär.
(The Beatles were incredibly popular in those days.)
Damals war das Leben auf dem Land viel einfacher.
(At that time, life in the countryside was much simpler.)
Summary
In short, use dann for sequence (first A, then B) and for conditional logic (if A, then B). It can refer to the past, present, or future. Use damals exclusively to refer to a specific time in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia or to draw a contrast with the present. A simple trick is to ask: can you replace the word with "next" or "after that"? If yes, use dann. Can you replace it with "back then" or "in those days"? If yes, use damals.