ところで

tokorode

JLPT N3 Neutral Chapter 61: N3: Topic Shift (By The Way), 2 of 2

Formation

ところで + new topic or question

Used for changing the topic or bringing up a new topic; 'by the way', 'speaking of'.

When to use

The standard, most common "by the way" topic-change marker.

Explanation

The ところで (tokorode) grammar point is used to change the topic of conversation or introduce a new topic. It can be translated as 'by the way' or 'speaking of' in English. It is often used when the speaker wants to ask a question or share some information on a different subject. It can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.

Example sentences

ところで、昨日きのうの宿題しゅくだいはもう終おわりましたか？

By the way, did you finish yesterday's homework?

Tokorode, kinou no shukudai wa mou owari mashita ka?
彼かれはプールで泳およいでいます。ところで、お昼ひるご飯はんは何なににしますか？

He is swimming in the pool. By the way, what do you want for lunch?

Kare wa puuru de oyoide imasu. Tokorode, ohiru gohan wa nani ni shimasu ka?
昨日きのうは楽たのしかったですね。ところで、この写真しゃしんを見みましたか？

Yesterday was fun, wasn't it? By the way, did you see this photo?

Kinou wa tanoshikatta desu ne. Tokorode, kono shashin wo mimashita ka?
ところで、明日あしたの会議かいぎの時間じかんを知しっていますか？

By the way, do you know the time of tomorrow's meeting?

Tokorode, ashita no kaigi no jikan wo shitte imasu ka?

Topic Shift (By The Way)

Compare when to use each

Corpus examples (45)

ところで、君きみに貸かしたお金かねはどうなったの。

By the way, what happened to the money I lent you?
「ところでよ、そのおめーのお父とうさんはどこにいんのさ？」「横転おうてんしたトラックの下なんよ」

"By the way, where's your old man?" "Under that over-turned truck."
ところで、その後あと彼女かのじょから便たよりがありましたか。

By the way, have you heard from her since then?
ところで君きみは何なにかチェックしてるブログとかコラムとかそういったものはあるのかい？いや別べつにウェブに限かぎらず雑誌ざっしとかでもいいが。

By the way, is there some blog or column online that you check often? Well, it doesn't have to be online; magazines are fine, too.
ところで、何歳なんさいですか。

By the way, how old are you?
ところで、何時なんじにそこへ行いくつもりですか。

By the way, what time will you go there?
ところであなたがたの中なかで何人なんにん日記にっきをつけていますか。

By the way, how many of you are keeping a diary?
ところで、何人なんにんの子どもが行いくのですか。

By the way, how many kids are going?
ところでマイク、あなたの家いえへの行いき方かたをおしえてください。

Say, Mike. Tell me how to get to your house.
ところで、家いえに来きて私わたしの母ははに会あいますか。

By the way, would you like to come and see my mother?
ところで、最近さいきん彼かれに会あいましたか。

By the way, have you seen him lately?
ところで、午後ごごは空すいてる？

By the way, are you free this afternoon?
ところで、そこに滞在中たいざいちゅう、観光かんこうに行いく暇ひまはありましたか。

By the way, did you have any spare time to go sightseeing while you were there?
ところで、君きみはバイオリンを弾ひきますか。

By the way, do you play the violin?
ところで、君きみの住所じゅうしょはどこですか。

By the way, what is your address?
ところで君きみ何語なにご取とってたの？

By the way, which language did you learn?
あ、ところでさ、君きみに見みせたいものがあるんだ。

Oh, by the way, I have something to show you.
ところで、君きみはどこに住すんでるの？

By the way, where do you live?
ところでさ、トムはまだ君きみと付つき合あいたいみたいだよ。

By the way, Tom still wants to go out with you.
ところで、平河代議士だいぎしは、この件けんにどのていどタッチしているんでしょうか。

By the way, I wonder how much of a hand Hiragawa MP plays in this matter?
ところでこの件けんは注意ちゅういする必要ひつようがある。

This case requires watching, by the way.
ところで今日きょうの午後ごごはお暇いとまですか。

By the way, are you free this afternoon?
ところで午後ごごお暇いとまですか。

By the way, are you free this afternoon?
ところであなたはどんなスポーツが好すきですか。

Well, what sports do you like?
ああ、ところで彼女かのじょが今いまどこに住すんでいるか知しってるかしら。

Oh, by the way, do you know where she lives now?

Showing 25 of 45 corpus examples.