Translation and Meaning of: 所 - tokoro

The Japanese word 所[ところ] is an essential term for anyone learning the language. With meanings ranging from "place" to "moment" or "aspect," it appears in various everyday situations and even in fixed expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, practical uses, and even some curiosities that help you memorize it better. If you've ever wondered how the Japanese use this word in their daily lives, keep reading!

Meaning and uses of 所 [ところ]

所[ところ] is a versatile word that can mean "place," "specific point," or even "situation." In sentences like "ここは静かなところです" (Here is a quiet place), it indicates physical location. In more abstract contexts, such as "今のところ大丈夫です" (At the moment, everything is fine), it refers to a temporary state or condition.

Another interesting use is in expressions like ところで (by the way), which introduces a change of topic. This flexibility makes 所[ところ] one of the most frequently used words in spoken and written Japanese, appearing in informal conversations and even in formal texts.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 所 is composed of the radical 戸 (door) and the component 斤 (axe). Originally, in ancient China, it represented a place where tools were kept, hence the association with "place". In Japan, this idea has expanded to encompass both physical spaces and abstract situations.

It is worth noting that 所 has a kun'yomi reading (ところ) and an on'yomi (ショ). The former is used when the word stands alone or in native combinations, while the latter appears in terms such as 場所 (ばしょ - place) or 所有 (しょゆう - possession). This duality is common in many Japanese kanji.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to internalize 所[ところ] is by associating it with concrete situations. For example, think of rooms in the house: 台所 (だいどころ) means kitchen, literally "place of utensils." This visual connection helps to remember not only the meaning but also the writing of the kanji.

Another tip is to pay attention to how the word appears in animes and dramas. In everyday scenes, expressions like "いいところに来たね" (You came at the right time) are common. This kind of natural exposure to the language reinforces learning in a contextualized way, showing that 所[ところ] goes far beyond a simple "place."

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 場所 (Basho) - Local, place
• ところ (Tokoro) - Local, place, specific point
• 位置 (Ichi) - Position, exact place within a context
• 置場 (Okiba) - Storage location, designated space to place something
• 置き場所 (Okibasho) - Place where something is put, similar to 置場, but can be more generic.
• 位置取り (Ichidori) - Positioning, the act of defining a position
• 位置合わせ (Ichiawase) - Position adjustment, align one position with another

所

Romaji: tokoro
Kana: ところ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: place

Meaning in English: place

Definition: a certain place or position where something is located.

Example Sentences - (所) tokoro

See below some example sentences:

余所に行ってみたいです。

Yoso ni itte mitai desu

I would like to go to other places.

I want to go anywhere else.

• 余所 (yoso) - It means "another place" or "different place".
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the target or destination of the action.
• 行ってみたい (ittemitai) - a conjugated form of the verb "iku" (to go) with the auxiliary "mitai" (want to try). It means "want to try to go".
• です (desu) - a particle that indicates the polite or respectful way of speaking.

不便な場所に住んでいる。

Fuben na basho ni sunde iru

I'm living in an inconvenient place.

I live in an inconvenient place.

• 不便な - adjective that means "inconvenient" or "uncomfortable"
• 場所 - noun that means "place" or "local"
• に - particle that indicates the location of the action
• 住んでいる - verb that means "to live" or "to reside," conjugated in the present continuous

ヨーロッパは美しい場所です。

Yōroppa wa utsukushii basho desu

Europe is a beautiful place.

Europe is a beautiful place.

• ヨーロッパ - Europe
• は - Topic particle
• 美しい - pretty, beautiful
• 場所 - place
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

この場所は電波が弱いです。

Kono basho wa denpa ga yowai desu

This place has a weak signal.

This place has weak radio waves.

• この場所 - kono basho - this place
• は - wa - Topic particle
• 電波 - denpa - radio signal
• が - ga - subject particle
• 弱い - yowai - weak
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) Verb to be/estar in the present

この町にはたくさんの名所があります。

Kono machi ni wa takusan no meisho ga arimasu

There are many famous places in this city.

There are many famous places in this city.

• この町には - "In this city"
• たくさんの - "Muitos"
• 名所 - "Tourist attractions"
• が - Subject particle
• あります - "There are"

この箇所に問題がある。

Kono kasho ni mondai ga aru

There is a problem at this point.

There is a problem with this part.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 箇所 - noun meaning "place", "point", "location"
• に - particle indicating the action of directing something to a place or person
• 問題 - noun meaning "problem", "question", "difficulty"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - verb that means "to exist," "to be present"

この場所はとても長閑で静かです。

Kono basho wa totemo chōkan de shizuka desu

This place is very quiet and quiet.

This place is very silent and silent.

• この場所 - "this place"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - "very"
• 長閑 - "peaceful, serene"
• で - connecting particle
• 静か - "quiet, calm"
• です - polite way of "to be"

この場所はとても美しいです。

Kono basho wa totemo utsukushii desu

This place is very beautiful.

• この場所 - this place
• は - wa (topic particle)
• とても - totemo (muito)
• 美しい - utsukushii (bonito)
• です - is (verb to be in the present)

この場所は静かで落ち着いた雰囲気がある。

Kono basho wa shizuka de ochitsuita fun'iki ga aru

This place has a quiet and serene atmosphere.

This place has a quiet and calm atmosphere.

• この場所 - this location
• は - Topic particle
• 静かで - calm
• 落ち着いた - calm
• 雰囲気 - atmosphere
• が - subject particle
• ある - exists

この場所で怪物が出現した。

Kono basho de kaibutsu ga shutsugen shita

A monster appeared in this place.

• この場所で - "In this place"
• 怪物が - "Monster"
• 出現した - "Appeared"