さて: meaning and usage

How to form it

• さて、+sentence

How it is used

Closes what came before and moves on to the next topic or action: 'well then, now'. It can also be said to oneself before starting something. Unlike 「ところで」, which jumps to an unrelated topic, 「さて」 usually moves on to the next step.

Examples

1. もうこんな時間だ！さて、お風呂に入ろうかな。

   Look at the time! Well then, I think I'll take a bath.

2. さて、次の問題に進みましょう。

   Now, let's move on to the next question.

3. 夕飯も食べたし、さて、宿題を始めるか。

   I've had dinner, so right, time to start my homework.