Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 10: 11/18

それでBecause of that, So?, And then?, Therefore, With that

Structure

Phrase (A)。 それで + Phrase (B)

Details

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    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    其れ

About それで

Like それに, それで is another conjunction that is regularly considered to be one word in Japanese, but is more correctly just a combination of the pronoun それ, and the case marking particle で.

The thing that それ is 'substituting' for is the entire clause/sentence that came before it, while で highlights that 'with that', or 'by means of that'. In this way, it translates to 'therefore', 'because of that', or 'with that' where 'that' is the previous information. それで is frequently used at the beginning of a second sentence, to highlight the information from the first.

Caution

You may also see それでは. で in this case is the conjunctive form of だ (the auxiliary verb). Due to this, the meaning is closer to 'well then', 'in that case', or 'if so'. This では is also frequently shortened to じゃ.

  • サリーは世界中(せかいじゅう)のほとんどの国(くに)に行(い)ったことがある。それで旅行会社(りょこうがいしゃ)で働(はたら)くことにした。
    Sally has been to most countries in the world. Because of that, she decided to work at a travel agency.
  • それでは、会議(かいぎ)を始(はじ)めます。
    Well then, I will start the meeting.
  • それじゃミクは来(こ)ないの？
    In that case, Miku, are you not coming?

Examples

--:--

    「其(そ)れでプロジェクトどうなったのですか？」
    「期限(きげん)通(どお)りに終(お)わりました。」

    'And then, what happened to the project?'
    'We finished it on time.'

    JLPTに合格(ごうかく)したいです。其(それ)で毎日(まいにち)しっかり勉強(べんきょう)しています。

    I want to pass the JLPT. Therefore, I study hard every day.

    この辺(あた)りには多(おお)くの桜(さくら)が植(う)えられている。其(それ)で外国人(がいこくじん)が花見(はなみ)に来(く)る人気(にんき)の観光(かんこう)スポットになった。

    In this area, numerous cherry trees are growing. Because of that, it has become a popular tourist attraction where many foreigners come to view cherry blossoms.

    このヘビは有毒(ゆうどく)の一種(いっしゅ)です。其(それ)で非常(ひじょう)に危険(きけん)だと考(かんが)えられています。

    This snake is one of (many) venomous species. Because of that, it is considered extremely dangerous.

    いずくさんは子供(こども)の頃(ころ)よくいじめられました。其(それ)で弱(よわ)い者(もの)の味方(みかた)になっています。

    Izuku-san was often bullied as a child. Therefore, he is now an ally of the weak.

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      それで – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (1 in total)

      • Howl_UK

        Howl_UK

        This grammar point is covered in Genki II (3rd edition, Chapter 19, page 169).

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