Translation and Meaning of: 其れで - sorede

The Japanese word 其れで [それで] is a term commonly used in everyday life, but it can raise questions for language learners. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as interesting facts about how it is perceived by native speakers. If you have ever wondered how and when to use this expression, keep reading to discover everything about it.

Meaning and use of 其れで [それで]

In direct translation, 其れで [それで] can be understood as "with that," "therefore," or "and then." It is an expression often used to connect ideas in a conversation, indicating continuity or consequence. For example, if someone is telling a story and shifts topics, they might use それで to refocus the conversation.

In addition, this word also appears in questions, such as それで？ ("so what?" or "and then?"), which shows interest in knowing what happened next. It is worth noting that its tone can vary depending on the context, potentially sounding neutral or even a bit impatient if the intonation is stronger.

Origin and writing in kanji

Although it's more common to see それで written in hiragana, its kanji form is 其れで. The character 其 (pronounced as "so" in other contexts) is an ancient demonstrative meaning "that" or "this." This kanji is not widely used in modern Japanese but still appears in some expressions and formal texts.

It is interesting to note that, although kanji exists, most Japanese people opt for hiragana in their daily lives. This is because writing in kanji can seem archaic or overly formal for everyday situations. If you are learning Japanese, focus first on hiragana, as it is the most useful form for daily communication.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to solidify the meaning of それで is to associate it with transition situations. Think of it as a bridge between two parts of a story or explanation. When you hear it in animes or dramas, pay attention to how characters use it to connect one idea to another.

Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, such as "昨日は疲れていた。それで、早く寝た" (Yesterday I was tired. Therefore, I went to bed early). Repeating structures like this helps to internalize the natural use of the word. Over time, you will start to recognize when it appears and how to apply it in your own conversations.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• それで (sore de) - Therefore; that being so.
• それでは (sore de wa) - So; in that case.
• そうすると (sou suruto) - If so; in this way.
• そういうわけで (sou iu wake de) - For this reason; thus.
• そのため (sono tame) - For this; because of this.
• その結果 (sono kekka) - As a result; the consequence of this.
• それによって (sore ni yotte) - Thanks to that; through this.
• それに伴って (sore ni tomonatte) - Along with that; concurrently.
• それに対して (sore ni taishite) - In relation to this; in contrast to this.
• それに反して (sore ni hanshite) - In opposition to this; on the contrary.
• それに関して (sore ni kanshite) - As for this; regarding this.
• それに比べて (sore ni kurabete) - In comparison to this; when compared to this.
• それに加えて (sore ni kuwaete) - In addition; added to that.
• それに引き換え (sore ni hikikae) - In exchange for this; on the other hand.
• それに対する (sore ni taiseru) - Regarding this; in relation to this.
• それに関する (sore ni kansuru) - Regarding this; related to this.
• それについて (sore ni tsuite) - About this; regarding this.
• それにつき (sore ni tsuki) - About this; in relation to this.
• それにつけても (sore ni tsukete mo) - Even so; nonetheless.
• それにもかかわらず (sore ni mo kakawarazu) - Despite this; nonetheless.

其れで

Romaji: sorede
Kana: それで
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: and (conj); after; because of that

Meaning in English: and (conj);thereupon;because of that

Definition: "Sore" is a conjunction, a Japanese word used to indicate cause or reason.