それで
Because of that, So?, And then?, Therefore, With that
Structure
Explanation
Similar to それに, それで is another conjunction that is commonly thought of as a single word in Japanese, but is actually just a combination of the pronoun それ, and the case marking particle で.
The element that それ is 'referring to' is the complete clause/sentence that preceded it, while で indicates that 'through that', or 'using that'. In this manner, it means 'thus', 'for that reason', or 'so' where 'that' refers to the prior information. それで is commonly placed at the start of a second sentence, to reference the content from the first.
- 母は昔看護師として働いていた。それで私も看護師になりたいと思った。My mother used to work as a nurse. Because of that, I wanted to become a nurse too.
- 雨が強く降っている。それで今日の野球の試合が中止になった。It's raining heavily. Therefore, today's baseball game was cancelled.
Caution
You might also encounter それでは. で in this instance is the conjunctive form of だ (the auxiliary verb). Because of this, the meaning is more like 'now then', 'if that's the case', or 'given that'. This では is also commonly contracted to じゃ.
- 田中さんは料理がとても上手だ。それでレストランを開くことにした。Tanaka-san is very good at cooking. So, he decided to open a restaurant.
- それでは、授業を終わります。Now then, I will end the class.
- それじゃ明日また会いましょう。In that case, let's meet again tomorrow.
Examples
電車が遅れてしまった。それで会議に間に合わなかった。
The train was delayed. Therefore, I missed the meeting.
昨夜地震があった。それで今朝電気が止まっている。
There was an earthquake last night. Because of that, the electricity is out this morning.
弟は数学が得意だ。それで工学部に進むことにした。
My younger brother is good at math. So, he decided to major in engineering.
この本は図書館から借りたものだ。それで返却期限を守らなければならない。
This book is borrowed from the library. Therefore, I must follow the return deadline.
彼女は海外に転勤になった。それで遠距離恋愛を始めることになった。
She was transferred overseas. Because of that, we started a long-distance relationship.
父：「新しい車を買ったんだ。」
息子：「それでどんな車ですか？」
Father: 'I bought a new car.'
Son: 'And then, what kind of car is it?'
友達：「昨日告白したんだ。」
私：「それでどうだった？」
Friend: 'I confessed my feelings yesterday.'
Me: 'And then? What happened?'
冷蔵庫の中が空だった。それで外で食事することにした。
The refrigerator was empty. Therefore, I decided to eat out.
今日は給料日だ。それで友達と高いレストランに行くつもりだ。
Today is payday. So, I plan to go to an expensive restaurant with my friends.
この地域は観光客が多い。それで宿泊費が他の場所より高くなっている。
This area has many tourists. Because of that, accommodation costs are higher than other places.
祖母は手作りの料理が上手だ。それで週末はいつも祖母の家に行く。
My grandmother is skilled at homemade cooking. Therefore, I always go to her house on weekends.
この会社は環境に優しい製品を作っている。それで若い消費者から人気がある。
This company makes environmentally friendly products. Because of that, it is popular among young consumers.