ところで（ところで、tokorode）
- by the way

ところで is a versatile Japanese conjunction (接（せつ）続（ぞく）詞（し）) used to introduce a related topic, change the subject of conversation, or bring up a new point that is somewhat connected to the previous one. It often signals a shift in the flow of conversation or writing. Essentially, it serves as a conversational bridge, allowing the speaker or writer to smoothly transition to a different, albeit related, thought. This word can be translated in several ways, including "by the way," "speaking of which," or "now that we're on the subject." It’s a common and important word to master for natural-sounding Japanese.

⚫︎ 昨日（きのう）映画（えいが）を見（み）に行（い）きました。ところで、来週（らいしゅう）の試験（しけん）の準備（じゅんび）はできましたか？ Translation: I went to see a movie yesterday. By the way, have you prepared for next week's exam? ⚫︎ 旅行（りょこう）は楽（たの）しかったですか？ところで、お土産（みやげ）は何（なに）を買（か）いましたか？ Translation: Did you enjoy your trip? Speaking of which, what souvenirs did you buy? ⚫︎ 今日は（きょうは）暑（あつ）いですね。ところで、夏休（なつやす）みは何（なに）をする予定（よてい）ですか？ Translation: It's hot today, isn't it? Now that we're on the subject, what are your plans for summer vacation?

⚫︎ Use ところで to smoothly transition to a new, but related, topic. ⚫︎ It can be used to change the subject, often after a period of conversation on a different topic. ⚫︎ It's also suitable for bringing up a question or a new piece of information related to what was previously discussed. ⚫︎ It is frequently employed at the start of a sentence.

⚫︎ ところで is typically written in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no other ways to write this word, nor are there variations in the okurigana. The word always appears in hiragana.

There aren't any perfect synonyms for ところで that capture all its nuances, but some words can be used in similar contexts: ⚫︎ 話（はな）は変（か）わりますが (Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga) - "Changing the subject..." ⚫︎ さて (Sate) - "Now then" (can sometimes be used for a topic shift) ⚫︎ ちなみに (Chinami ni) - "By the way" (used to introduce extra, sometimes unrelated, information)

There are no direct antonyms for ところで, as it is a word that serves to connect ideas rather than express a contrasting meaning.

昨日（きのう）は公園（こうえん）でピクニックをしました。ところで、田中（たなか）さんは来（こ）ますか？ ・Translation: I had a picnic at the park yesterday. By the way, will Tanaka-san come? ・Explanation: The speaker is shifting the conversation from the picnic to whether Tanaka-san will also attend.

来週（らいしゅう）は忙（いそが）しいです。ところで、来月（らいげつ）の旅行（りょこう）の計画（けいかく）はどうなっていますか？ ・Translation: I will be busy next week. Speaking of which, what are the plans for next month's trip? ・Explanation: The speaker uses ところで to transition from a discussion of their busy schedule to inquiring about the travel plans.

The etymology of ところで is relatively straightforward. It is a compound word formed from: ⚫︎ 所（ところ） (tokoro) meaning "place," "point," or "aspect." ⚫︎ で (de) which is a particle that can indicate a "at," "in," or "on" location or condition. The combination suggests something along the lines of "at the point" or "on the subject of."