Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Well, now, then, by the way.
🎯 Primary Function
To transition between topics or to signal a shift in focus/action.
📋 Grammar Structure
さて + [Sentence] (Used as a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence).
Not applicable (used as a sentence starter).
Not applicable (used as a sentence starter).
Not applicable.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Commonly used in presentations, speeches, and business emails to move between agenda items.
Informal Situations
Used among friends to change the subject or decide on the next activity.
Written Language
Often appears in essays, letters, and emails to denote a new paragraph or section.
Spoken Language
Used frequently as a filler/transition word to gather attention before a new point.
💡 Common Applications
Topic Transition
Used to smoothly move the conversation from one subject to another.
Example: さて、次の話題ですが… (Now, concerning the next topic…)
Starting an Action
Used to signal that the speaker is about to begin an activity.
Example: さて、出かけよう。 (Well, let’s head out.)
Summarizing for Conclusion
Used to wrap up previous points and move toward a final decision or result.
Example: さて、結論を言うと… (Now, to state the conclusion…)
Frequency
High (Common in both business and daily life).
Difficulty
JLPT N3
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Example Sentences
Example #1
さて、そろそろ帰りましょうか。
Furigana: さて、そろそろかえりましょうか。
Romaji: Sate, sorosoro kaerimashō ka.
English: Well, shall we head home soon?
Example #2
さて、次の問題に移りましょう。
Furigana: さて、つぎのもんだいにうつりましょう。
Romaji: Sate, tsugi no mondai ni utsurimashō.
English: Now, let’s move on to the next question.
Example #3
さて、会議を始めます。
Furigana: さて、かいぎをはじめます。
Romaji: Sate, kaigi o hajimemasu.
English: Well then, I will now begin the meeting.
Example #4
さて、このプロジェクトのテーマについて説明します。
Furigana: さて、このプロジェクトのテーマについてせつめいします。
Romaji: Sate, kono purojekuto no tēma ni tsuite setsumei shimasu.
English: Now, I will explain this project’s theme.
Example #5
さて、彼は何て言ったのでしょうか。
Furigana: さて、かれはなんていったのでしょうか。
Romaji: Sate, kare wa nante itta no deshō ka.
English: So, what do you think he said?
Example #6
さて、お腹も空いたし、何か食べに行こう。
Furigana: さて、おなかもすいたし、なにかたべにいこう。
Romaji: Sate, onaka mo suita shi, nanika tabe ni ikō.
English: Well, I’m hungry, so let’s go eat something.
Example #7
さて、最後にご紹介するのはこちらです。
Furigana: さて、さいごにごしょうかいするのはこちらです。
Romaji: Sate, saigo ni goshōkai suru no wa kochira desu.
English: Now, the last item to introduce is this one.
Example #8
さて、困ったことになった。
Furigana: さて、こまったことになった。
Romaji: Sate, komatta koto ni natta.
English: Well, this has turned into quite a problem.
Example #9
さて、どうしたものか。
Furigana: さて、どうしたものか。
Romaji: Sate, dō shita mono ka.
English: Now, I wonder what I should do.
Example #10
その話はここまで。さて、明日の予定ですが…。
Furigana: そのはなしはここまで。さて、あしたのよていですが…。
Romaji: Sono hanashi wa koko made. Sate, ashita no yotei desu ga…
English: Enough about that. Now, about tomorrow’s schedule…
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Soliloquy Usage
It is often used when talking to oneself to express a moment of decision-making.
Example: さて、どうしようかな。
Attention Grabber
It acts as a signal to the listener to pay attention to the next important piece of information.
Example: さて、… (Pause)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ さて、明日の天気は？ (When the topic is completely unrelated)
✅ ところで、明日の天気は？
‘Sate’ is used for logical transitions or summaries. For abrupt, unrelated topic changes, ‘Tokorode’ is more natural.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral to Polite. It sounds organized and composed.
Social Situations: Common in broadcasting (news anchors) and formal moderation.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese; universally understood.
🔍 Subtle Differences
さて vs. ところで (Tokorode)
‘Sate’ follows a logical flow or wraps up the current state, whereas ‘Tokorode’ abruptly changes to an unrelated topic.
When to use: Use ‘Sate’ when moving to the ‘next step’. Use ‘Tokorode’ for ‘By the way’.
さて vs. それでは (Sore dewa)
‘Sore dewa’ is more formal and often used as a direct ‘in that case’ or ‘then’. ‘Sate’ is more versatile for shifting focus.
When to use: Use ‘Sore dewa’ for formal departures or conclusions.
📝 Conjugation Notes
‘Sate’ is a conjunction and does not conjugate.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Often followed by a slight pause to emphasize the change in topic.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Sate’ as the ‘Now’ or ‘Well’ used by a narrator or presenter to keep things moving.
Other Grammar
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