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:

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.

私の祖父は水田を所有しています。

Watashi no sofu wa suiden o shoyu shite imasu

My grandfather owns a rice field.

My grandfather owns Paddy Fields.

• 私 - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 祖父 - noun meaning "grandfather" in Japanese
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "my grandfather"
• 水田 - The noun that means "rice field" in Japanese.
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "has"
• 所有 - verb that means "to possess" in Japanese
• しています - expression that indicates continuous action in the present, in this case, "has"

私の家は近所にあります。

Watashi no ie wa kinjo ni arimasu

My house is in the neighborhood.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 家 - noun that means "house"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 近所 - noun meaning "neighborhood" or "district"
• に - particle indicating direction or destination
• あります - verb meaning "to be located" or "to exist"

赤道は地球の中心に近い場所にあります。

Chikyuu no chuushin ni chikai basho ni arimasu

The equator is located near the center of the Earth.

• 赤道 - Ecuador
• は - Topic particle
• 地球 - Earth
• の - Possessive particle
• 中心 - Center
• に - Location particle
• 近い - Next
• 場所 - Place
• に - Location particle
• あります - Is

清濁を分ける

Seidaku wo wakeru

Separate the pure from the unclean.

Divide the turbidity

• 清 - "dry; clear; clean"
• 濁 - "turbidity; impurity; dirt"
• を - object particle
• 分ける - "to divide; to separate; to share"