Translation and Meaning of: 所で - tokorode

If you are studying Japanese or have an interest in the language, you may have come across the word 所で (ところで). It frequently appears in conversations and texts, but its meaning and usage can raise questions. In this article, we will explore what this expression represents, how it is used in everyday life, and what its cultural nuances are. Additionally, we will understand why it is so common and how to memorize it efficiently.

Meaning and use of ところで

The word ところで (tokoro de) is a conjunctive expression that functions as a topic change marker. In English, it can be translated as "by the way" or "incidentally." It is often used to introduce a new topic in a conversation, especially when the speaker wants to shift away from a previous subject or bring something relevant in a natural way.

An interesting detail is that ところで is not just a casual connective. Its use reflects the delicacy of Japanese communication, where smooth transitions are valued. Instead of abruptly cutting off a dialogue, Japanese speakers prefer to use this expression to maintain fluency. This illustrates how the language is connected to a culture of harmony and respect.

Origin and structure of the word

The origin of ところで is directly related to the kanji 所 (tokoro), which means "place" or "local." When combined with the particle で (de), the expression takes on a more abstract sense, indicating a transition of "place" in the conversation. This construction is an example of how Japanese uses spatial terms for temporal and discourse concepts.

It is worth noting that ところで is not the only way to change the subject in Japanese, but it is one of the most neutral and versatile. Unlike expressions like それはそうと (sore wa sō to), which also introduce new topics, ところで sounds more natural in everyday situations. This neutrality makes it one of the favorites in informal dialogues and even in some professional contexts.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to reinforce ところで is to associate it with moments when you change the subject in Portuguese. Think of situations where you say "oh, speaking of which..." or "by the way...". These are the perfect equivalents for applying the Japanese expression. Practicing with real examples helps to internalize its use effortlessly.

Another valuable tip is to pay attention to dialogues in doramas, animes, or podcasts in Japanese. Since ところで is quite common, you will soon start identifying it in various contexts. Repeating these phrases mentally reinforces memorization and also teaches the correct intonation, which is essential to sound natural.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ところで - By the way
• それで - So, that's why
• そういえば - Speaking of that, by the way
• ちなみに - By the way, for that matter
• ところが - On the other hand, however
• しかも - Moreover, and on top of that
• それに - Furthermore, in addition
• それから - And then, afterwards
• そのうえ - Moreover, on top of that
• その後 - After that, next
• そのため - Because of this, for this reason
• そのために - For this purpose, for such an end
• そのかわり - In exchange for this, on the other hand
• その反面 - On the other hand, in contrast
• その結果 - As a result, consequence of this
• そのためには - For that (keeping this in mind)
• そのためにも - For this (also considering this)

所で

Romaji: tokorode
Kana: ところで
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: by the way; even if; no matter what

Meaning in English: by the way;even if;no matter what

Definition: Something about a place or location.

Example Sentences - (所で) tokorode

See below some example sentences:

私は教習所で運転を学んでいます。

Watashi wa kyōshūjo de unten o manande imasu

I'm learning to drive at driving school.

I'm studying driving at the driving school.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 教習所 (kyōshūjo) - Driving school
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 運転 (unten) - driving, drive
• を (wo) - direct object particle that indicates the target of the action
• 学んでいます (manandeimasu) - verb meaning "I'm learning"

私は停留所でバスを待っています。

Watashi wa teiryūjo de basu o matte imasu

I'm waiting for the bus at the bus stop.

I'm waiting for a bus at the stop.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle in Japanese, used to indicate the subject of the sentence
• 停留所 (teiryūjo) - means "bus stop" in Japanese
• で (de) - Location particle in Japanese language, used to indicate where something is happening.
• バス (basu) - It means "bus" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - object particle in Japanese, used to indicate the direct object of the sentence
• 待っています (matteimasu) - It means "I am waiting" in Japanese, with "matte" being the verb "to wait" and "imasu" a form to indicate the present continuous.