ところで

と

こ

ろ

で

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

conjunction

by the way; incidentally

usually written using kana alone

Used to change the topic or introduce a new, often less important, subject in conversation.

ところで、明日あしたの会かい議ぎは何なん時じからですか。
By the way, what time is tomorrow's meeting?

2

particle, conjunction

even if; no matter (what, where, how, etc.)

usually written using kana alone

Follows the plain past form of a verb to express that even if that action is taken, the result will be the same or it won't matter. Often used in patterns like たところで.

今いまさら謝あやまったところで、もう遅おそい。
Even if you apologize now, it's too late.
急いそいだところで、電でん車しゃには間まに合あわないだろう。
No matter how much you hurry, you probably won't catch the train.