connective N2 uncommon politewritten
ときに — by the way (topic shift)
ときに
Builds on とき / 時
Meaning
- by the way / incidentally — a sentence-initial connective that breaks off to introduce a new topic
Key sentence
ときに、来週の予定は決まりましたか。
By the way, have you decided on next week's schedule?
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence-initial connective | ときに、+ [new topic] | ときに、お父さんはお元気ですか |
When: Slightly formal/old-fashioned; abruptly turns to an unrelated matter, often a polite enquiry.
Examples
ときに、ご家族はお変わりありませんか。
By the way, is your family all well?
ときに、あの話はどうなりましたか。
Incidentally, what came of that matter?
Easily confused with
Notes
- Distinct from 〜ときに 'when ~' (時に); this connective ときに stands at the head of a sentence.
See ときに in real sentences
Jengo shows ときに 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, A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar.