GRAMMAR
ところで
by the way
Explanation
NOTE
ところで is a discourse connector used to shift the topic of conversation. It signals that the speaker is moving away from the current subject to introduce something new or unrelated.
ところで、来週の予定はどうなっていますか。
By the way, what are your plans for next week?
Used at the beginning of a sentence to change the topic to something unrelated.
NOTE
- Translated as by the way or incidentally.
- Placed at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
- Does not express logical cause or contrast — it simply changes the topic.
ところで、田中さんはもう帰りましたか。
By the way, has Tanaka-san already left?
It serves as a conversational marker to transition smoothly to a new, often slightly different, subject.
STRUCTURE
... ところで ...
仕事の話はここまでにして、ところで、最近どう？
Shigoto no hanashi wa koko made ni shite, tokorode, saikin dou?
Let's leave the work talk here — by the way, how have you been lately?
ところで、昨日の試合は見ましたか。
Tokorode, kinou no shiai wa mimashita ka.
By the way, did you watch yesterday's game?
ところで、今日の天気はどうかな？
Tokorode, kyou no tenki wa dou kana?
By the way, I wonder what the weather will be like today?
Practice exercises
1
ところで、田中さんはもう帰りましたか。
By the way, has Tanaka-san already left?
Answer
ところで
2
仕事の話はここまでにして、ところで、最近どうですか。
Let's stop the work talk here — by the way, how have you been lately?
Answer
ところで
3
ところで、昨日の試合は見ましたか。
By the way, did you watch yesterday's match?
Answer
ところで
4
いい天気ですね。ところで、週末は何をしますか。
Nice weather. By the way, what are you doing this weekend?
Answer
ところで
5
会議が終わりました。ところで、お昼ご飯はどうしますか。
The meeting is over. By the way, what about lunch?
Answer
ところで
6
元気でしたか。ところで、田中さんは元気ですか。
How have you been? By the way, how is Tanaka-san?
Answer
ところで
7
料理の話は終わりです。所で、昨日の試合はどうでしたか。
That's enough about cooking. By the way, how was yesterday's game?
Answer
所で
8
会議は終わりです。ところで、来週の予定はどうしますか。
The meeting is over. By the way, what will you do about next week's schedule?
Answer
ところで