connective N3 common casualpolitewritten
さて — well then
さて
Meaning
- well then / now then / now — closes off the previous topic and turns to the next thing to do or discuss
Key sentence
さて、そろそろ本題に入りましょう。
Well then, let's get to the main subject.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence-initial (transition to a new topic or action) | さて、[next topic / action]。 | さて、今日の予定ですが… |
Examples
食事も終わった。さて、片付けを始めよう。
The meal's done. Now then, let's start cleaning up.
ご紹介は以上です。さて、ここからが本番です。
That's the end of the introductions. Now, the real thing begins here.
Easily confused with
Notes
- Common in speeches, lectures and letters to pivot between sections. A standalone さて? can also mean 'now, what to do…' as the speaker mulls a next step.
See さて in real sentences
Jengo shows さて the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.