ところで
🃏 Flashcard
ところで
tokoro de
Tap to reveal usage
by the way~
N3
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading
tokoro de
Post ID
50959
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
by the way~
📖 How to use it
A conjunction that shifts the topic of conversation to something new, often with a sense of wanting to ask or mention something else.
Attaches to
Used at the beginning of a sentence or clause. It does not attach to any verb or adjective; it stands alone as a discourse marker.
ところで is a discourse marker used when you want to change the subject completely. It's like saying 'by the way' or 'speaking of which' in English. You often use it when you remember something you wanted to ask or mention, but it's not directly related to what you were just talking about.
It's common in both casual and formal conversation, but it's not used in formal writing like essays or reports. You'll hear it in everyday chats, meetings, and even interviews. When you use it, it signals a clear shift, so avoid using it if you are just adding a small detail to the same topic.
ところで、明日のテストは何時から？
Tokoro de, ashita no tesuto wa nanji kara?
By the way, what time is tomorrow's test?
ところで、田中さんは元気ですか。
Tokoro de, Tanaka-san wa genki desu ka.
By the way, how is Tanaka-san doing?
ところで、新しいレストランに行ったことある？
Tokoro de, atarashii resutoran ni itta koto aru?
By the way, have you been to the new restaurant?
Not ところで vs. でも
でも is used to say 'but' and introduces a contrasting point, while ところで introduces a completely new topic without that contrast. If you can replace it with 'by the way' in English, use ところで.
Register
Neutral and common in both casual and polite conversation, but not used in formal written text.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
ところで
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat ところで three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using ところで. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern ところで mean?
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By the way~
What JLPT level is ところで?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use ところで in a sentence?
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Attach ところで (tokoro de) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is ところで formal or casual Japanese?
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ところで is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember ところで long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.