Structure
(Situation) Phrase。そこで + (Solution) Phrase
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About そこで
そこで (very rarely seen as 其処で) is a combination of そこ 'there', and the case marking particle で. It is often translated as 'to that end', or 'accordingly'. Literally, it just means 'at that place', with で's use as 'with' or 'by' highlighting that something will be done there ('there' often being a situation). This phrase behaves very similarly to 'as such' in English.
Usually, a first sentence will highlight what the 'situation' is, before そこで goes on to explain how that situation was or will be resolved.
Usually, a first sentence will highlight what the 'situation' is, before そこで goes on to explain how that situation was or will be resolved.
- 彼は雨の中、傘なしで立っている。そこで、私は車から出て彼に私の傘をあげた。He is standing in the rain without an umbrella. As such, I got out of the car and gave him mine.
- 彼女と結婚をすることにした。そこで、彼女の親の実家に行って挨拶をすることに決めた。I have decided to marry my girlfriend. To that end, I have decided to go to her parents' place to talk to them.
- うちには泥棒が3回も入っている。そこで、防犯ガラスを買うことにした。Our house has been burgled 3 times already. As such, I have decided to buy an anti-theft window.
- 信号が赤になったのでブレーキをかけた。そこで、後ろの車に私の車をぶつけられた。Because the traffic turned red, I stepped on the breaks. As such, the car behind me crashed into me. (Unnatural Japanese)
- 子供が泣き始めた。そこで、子供に飴をあげて落ち着かせた。My kid started to cry. As such, I gave them some candy to calm them down.
Synonyms
Examples
私は彼女を愛している。そこで、結婚を申し込むことに決めた。
I love her. Accordingly, I decided to ask her to marry me.
僕は試験で一位になろうと思う。そこで、勉強時間をもう少し増やすことに決めた。
I plan to be the top scorer on the test. Therefore, I decided to slightly increase the amount of time I study.
天気予報で嵐が近づいていると言っていた。そこで、外にある植木鉢を家の中に入れることに決めた。
The weather forecast said that a storm is approaching. Accordingly, I decided to put my potted plants inside.
この方法ではもう限界だと分かった。そこで、新たな方法を試してみることに決めた。
I found out there was a limit to this method. Accordingly, we decided to try another one.
この荷物は重い。そこで、仲間を呼んで手伝ってもらうことに決めた。
This luggage is heavy. Therefore, I decided to get my friends to help.
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Difference between それで and そこで
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そこで – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
darkness_rising
The link sends me here: https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/454
I think it may be broken.Pushindawood
@darkness_rising Thank you for letting me know so that I could update the link. Cheers!
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