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:

人事を担当する部署に所属しています。

Jinji wo tantou suru busho ni shozoku shiteimasu

I belong to the department responsible for personnel matters.

I belong to a department in charge of HR.

• 人事 - Human resources
• を - object particle
• 担当する - Responsible for
• 部署 - Department
• に - Destination particle
• 所属しています - Is affiliated

人が込む場所は避けたいです。

Hito ga komu basho wa saketai desu

I want to avoid places that are crowded with people.

I want to avoid the place where people might go.

• 人 - means "people" in Japanese.
• が - is a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 込む - It is a verb that means "to be crowded" or "to be full."
• 場所 - It means "place" or "location" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 避けたい - it's a verb that means "to want to avoid".
• です - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the polite form of the verb "to be" in Japanese.

余所見を持つことは大切です。

Yosoken wo motsu koto wa taisetsu desu

It is important to have an outside perspective.

It is important to look extraordinary.

• 余所見 - External view
• 持つ - TO HAVE
• こと - Thing
• 大切 - Important
• です - is

便所にはトイレットペーパーが必要です。

Benjo ni wa toiretto peepaa ga hitsuyou desu

Toilet paper is needed for the bathroom.

• 便所 (benjo) - Restroom
• に (ni) - in
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• トイレットペーパー (toiretto peepaa) - toilet paper
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - necessary
• です (desu) - verb ser/estar (polite form)

寺は静かな場所です。

tera wa shizuka na basho desu

The temple is a quiet place.

• 寺 - temple
• は - Topic particle
• 静かな - quiet
• 場所 - Place
• です - Verb "to be" in the present

幹線道路は交通の要所です。

Kansendouro wa koutsuu no yousho desu

The main road is a key transportation point.

• 幹線道路 - main road
• は - Topic particle
• 交通 - Traffic
• の - Possession particle
• 要所 - key point
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

庁舎は市役所の前にあります。

Chousha wa shiyakusho no mae ni arimasu

The government building is opposite the town hall.

• 庁舎 - government building
• は - Topic particle
• 市役所 - town hall
• の - Possession particle
• 前 - in front
• に - Location particle
• あります - is located

待ち合わせ場所はどこですか？

Machiawase basho wa doko desu ka?

Where is the meeting point?

Where is the meeting place?

• 待ち合わせ場所 - meeting point
• は - Topic particle
• どこ - "onde"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - interrogative particle

所為あっての結果

Shoi atte no kekka

The result is due to circumstances.

Results

• 所為 (shoi) - means "action" or "cause"
• あって (atte) - means "to be appropriate" or "to be suitable"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between words
• 結果 (kekka) - means "result" or "consequence"

所定の時間に会議を開始します。

Shotei no jikan ni kaigi o kaishi shimasu

Let's start the meeting at the designated time.

We will start the meeting at the prescribed time.

• 所定の時間 (shotei no jikan) - designated time
• に (ni) - particle indicating time
• 会議 (kaigi) - meeting
• を (wo) - particle indicating direct object
• 開始します (kaishi shimasu) - start