ところで (tokorode) — by the way
The signal that the topic is changing — "anyway, so…"
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
Meaning
- 「ところで」drops the current thread and raises a new topic: 「ところで、来週の予定は？」= by the way, what's the plan for next week?
- It signals "that's done, here's something new".
- There is no link to what came before — that is precisely its job.
How to attach
- It always stands alone at the head of a sentence.
- In speech, 「それはそうと」does the same.
Versus what you know
N3It differs sharply from Lesson 8's 「〜たところ」and from 「ところが」above: ところが = "but" (linked), ところで = a topic change (unlinked).
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
仕事は大変だね。ところで、来週の予定は？
しごとはたいへんだね。ところで、らいしゅうのよていは？
Work's tough, huh. By the way, what's the plan for next week?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) The talk about work is finished → ところで → a new topic: plans.
ところで、田中さんは元気ですか。
ところで、たなかさんはげんきですか。
By the way, how's Tanaka doing?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) ところで brings up a new topic.
それはよかった。ところで、あの件はどうなった？
それはよかった。ところで、あのけんはどうなった？
Good to hear. Anyway, what happened with that matter?
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) Wrap up the first point → ところで → another point.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「試験、大変だったね。＿、週末は何をする？」— fill the blank.
💡 Hint: The topic is changing.
ところで = topic change.
How do 「ところで」and 「ところが」differ?
💡 Hint: One has no link.
ところで = new topic; ところが = but.
How does what follows 「ところで」relate to what came before?
💡 Hint: "Anyway…"
No link — that is its job.
Your score: /3