Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

さて Japanese meaning | Kotomora

さて

さ

て

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

conjunction, interjection

well; now; then

usually written using kana alone

Used to shift topic, introduce a new point, or move a conversation forward. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.

さて、次つぎの議ぎ題だいに移うつりましょう。
Well, let's move on to the next topic.
さて、どうしたものか。
Now, what should I do?

Written forms

さてUsage99%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
サテUsage<1%
扨さてUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form.
偖さて

Usage

<1%

rarely-used kanji form

Rarely used kanji form.

扠さてUsage<1%

rarely-used kanji form

Rarely used kanji form.

Kanji

偖well, now
扨well, now, (kokuji)
扠well, now

Similar words

では
では is more directly 'then' or 'in that case', while さて is a softer, more reflective transition marker.
ところで
ところで is used to change the subject abruptly, whereas さて often signals a planned shift or a moment of consideration.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain, but it is a native Japanese word. The kanji forms are ateji and rarely used.