では・
You take what was just said or settled and move to what follows from it: a decision, a start, a goodbye. では and それでは are the polite ones. じゃあ and それじゃ are what people say every day.
in that case
It's raining. Then let's go by bus.
starting
Everyone is here. Well then, let's begin.
goodbye
Let's stop here for today. All right, see you tomorrow.
How to form it
では／じゃあ、+ what follows
It stands alone at the start of a sentence. では is read "dewa". じゃあ is では worn down in everyday speech, and それじゃ is それでは; you will also hear じゃ and それじゃあ.
| How it sounds | Who says it | |
|---|---|---|
| では | Polite, tidy | Teachers, staff, people at work; you, to anyone you speak politely to |
| それでは | A little more formal | A host or a presenter, opening or closing; you, ending a call or a visit |
| じゃあ, じゃ, それじゃ | Everyday | Everyone: with friends, and in ordinary polite conversation too. Too relaxed for a speech, an interview or a client |
In that case
Someone tells you something, and you answer with what you will do about it.
Oh, this place is closed today.
Then let's go to the shop by the station.
I'm sorry, we are fully booked today.
Then how about tomorrow afternoon?
I'll take this one, then.
In a shop, once you have decided.
Starting, and moving on
When the moment has come, it opens the next thing.
a presenter
The materials are ready. Now, I'll begin the explanation.
to friends or colleagues
Well then, shall we get going?
Saying goodbye
Once things are settled, the same words open a goodbye. Often they are nearly all of it.
Our next appointment is at three on Friday, correct?
All right, see you Friday.
leaving politely
That concludes today's consultation. Well then, I'll be going.
Not the "then" of "and then"
English "then" is also "after that". じゃあ and では never are: they need something to follow from.
Not said: 朝ご飯を
(I ate breakfast. Then I went to school.)
For "after that", the word is それから.
では in the middle of a sentence
"Well then" stands alone at the start. In the middle of a sentence, では and じゃ are other things. In 日本では ("in Japan") it is the particles で and は.
After a noun: "is not".
Tomorrow is not a day off.
ては・ではN3
After a noun or a て-form, with a bad result following: "if it's like that".
If you eat out every day, you will spend too much on food.
Close neighbours
さてN3
Moves on to the next thing whether or not anything was said or settled, and can be said to yourself. The two often come together: さて、それでは….
Right, I think I'll head home.
それならN2
"If that's so": it takes one thing you have just learned as a condition. It doesn't open a class or a goodbye.
In that case, I'll join from home.
Check yourself
1You are leaving your teacher's office. Which goodbye fits?
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits B's reply?
A
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
The password has been confirmed. Now, please proceed to the next screen.
OK, let's do that, then.
Right then, I'm off.
Well then, I'll be in touch.
Well then, take care of yourself.
A doctor or a pharmacist, to a patient.