N3Grammar

さて

Well, Well then

Structure

さて + (New Topic) Phrase

Explanation

Functioning as a conjunction, さて is used to signal a shift to a different subject or to introduce the next item of business. It is typically translated as 'now then', or 'alright'.

You will find さて placed at the start of a sentence, right before the speaker introduces the new subject or action.

さて、授業(じゅぎょう)を始(はじ)めましょう。
Alright, let's begin class.
さて、晩(ばん)ご飯(はん)を決(き)めましょう。
Well then, let's decide on dinner.

Fun Fact

While it is very uncommon to see さて written with kanji, the characters 扨(さて) and 偖(さて) do exist and are sometimes used. These kanji both carry the sense of 'now', signifying the start of a new action.

扨(さて)、この漢字(かんじ)が読(よ)める人(ひと)はいますか。
Now, is there anyone who can read this kanji?
偖(さて)、教科書(きょうかしょ)の10ページを開(ひら)いてください。
Now, please open your textbooks to page 10.

Examples

さて、授業(じゅぎょう)を始(はじ)めましょうか。

Well then, shall we start the class?

さて、これからどうしましょうか。

Well then, what should we do now?

さて、宿題(しゅくだい)は終(お)わりましたか。

Well then, have you finished your homework?

さて、仕事(しごと)に戻(もど)るか。

Well, I guess it's time to get back to work.

さて、ここで問題(もんだい)です。

And now, here's a question for you.

さて、テストの結果(けっか)はどうだったかな。

Well now, I wonder what the test results were.

さて、そろそろ家(いえ)に帰(かえ)りましょう。

Well then, let's head home soon.

さて、料理(りょうり)を始(はじ)めるとしよう。

Alright then, let's begin cooking.

さて、次(つぎ)の発表者(はっぴょうしゃ)は誰(だれ)ですか。

Well then, who is the next presenter?

さて、休憩(きゅうけい)は終(お)わりにして、会議(かいぎ)を続(つづ)けましょう。

Alright, break time is over. Let's continue the meeting.

さて、材料(ざいりょう)は全部(ぜんぶ)そろっていますか。

Okay then, are all the ingredients here?

さて、映画(えいが)の時間(じかん)だ。ポップコーンは買(か)った？

Well, it's movie time. Did you buy popcorn?