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:

日光は美しい自然がたくさんある場所です。

Nikkou wa utsukushii shizen ga takusan aru basho desu

Nikko is a place with a lot of beautiful nature.

• 日光 - Proper name referring to a city in Japan.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful"
• 自然 - Noun that means "nature"
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• たくさん - Adverb that means "very"
• ある - Verb that means "to exist"
• 場所 - Noun that means "place"
• です - Linking verb that indicates the end of the sentence and formality.

日向は美しい場所です。

Hinata wa utsukushii basho desu

Hinata is a beautiful place.

Hyuga is a beautiful place.

• 日向 - A name that refers to a city located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
• は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "日向".
• 美しい - Adjective that means "beautiful" or "pretty".
• 場所 - Noun meaning "place" or "location".
• です - Auxiliary verb that indicates a polite or polished way of expressing an idea, in this case, "is".

洗面所に行って顔を洗いました。

Sennmenjo ni itte kao wo araimashita

I went to the bathroom and washed my face.

• 洗面所 - It means "bathroom" or "restroom".
• に - it is a particle that indicates the place where the action occurs, in this case, "in the bathroom".
• 行って - It is the conjugation of the verb "ir" in the past, indicating that the person went to the bathroom.
• 顔 - It means "face".
• を - it is a particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "washed the face".
• 洗いました - it is the past form of the verb "lavar", indicating that the person washed their face.

海抜が高い場所は涼しいです。

Kaibatsu ga takai basho wa suzushii desu

Places with high altitude have a fresher temperature.

A place where the sea above sea level is high is cold.

• 海抜 - Altitude
• が - partícula que indica o sujeito de uma frase
• 高い - high
• 場所 - place
• は - partícula que indica o tópico de uma frase
• 涼しい - cool
• です - copula que indica polidez

神聖な場所に行きたいです。

Kamisē na basho ni ikitai desu

I want to go to a holy place.

• 神聖な - adjective meaning "sacred"
• 場所 - Noun that means "place"
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 行きたい - verb in the desejative form meaning "to want to go"
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

私の短所は怒りっぽいことです。

Watashi no tansho wa okorippoi koto desu

My weakness lies in anger.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 短所 - noun that means "defect" or "weakness"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "about"
• 怒りっぽい - adjective that means "irritable" or "prone to anger"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は所有物に執着しない。

Watashi wa shoyūbutsu ni shūchaku shinai

I am not attached to my material goods.

I don't keep the property.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 所有物 (shoyuu-butsu) - Japanese noun meaning "property, belongings"
• に (ni) - Japanese particle that indicates the direction or target of the action, in this case "to"
• 執着 (shuuchaku) - Japanese noun meaning "attachment, fixation"
• しない (shinai) - negative form of the Japanese verb "suru" which means "to do", in this case "not do"

私は台所で料理をします。

Watashi wa daidokoro de ryōri o shimasu

I cook in the kitchen.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 台所 (daidokoro) - noun that means "kitchen"
• で (de) - Particle that indicates the place where the action occurs
• 料理 (ryouri) - noun that means "to cook" or "cuisine"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• します (shimasu) - verb meaning "to do" or "to accomplish"

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"

私はこの場所から抜け出したいです。

Watashi wa kono basho kara nukedashitai desu

I want out of this place.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• この (kono) - demonstrative adjective meaning "this"
• 場所 (basho) - Noun that means "place"
• から (kara) - particle that indicates origin or starting point
• 抜け出したい (nukedashitai) - verb in potential form meaning "want to escape"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates politeness or formality