Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

The reason or result with それで

Grammar: Conclusion » Seeking the result with それで

それで helps provide the natural flow of a conversation. It is used to continue a previous point by giving the consequence or an explanation.

When the listener is curious what happens next, or is prompting the speaker to continue, they may say それで, either alone or followed by a question.

English counterparts include:

  • and so
  • and then
  • because of that
  • so
  • therefore

それで is composed of それ (“that”) and the particle で (indicating means or cause).

Examples

And so, we're lost with それで

ちいさな森のオオカミちゃん » Volume 1 » Page 109

Wolf and her friends travel through the forest, seeking the location Turtle recommended to them. After going in circles for a bit, Wolf spots Owl and Horned Owl.

オオカミ:
それで… (みち)(まよ)っちゃって…」
And then, we got lost...”

And then, I got you something with それで

レンタルおにいちゃん » Volume 1 » Page 15

Kanami greets her brother when she gets home. She tells him she went shopping.

叶実(かなみ):
「そ それでね お土産(みやげ)があって」
“And—and then, you see... I got you something.”

So, which is which with それで

あしたは土曜日 » Volume 春・夏 » Page 90

Mina tells Sanae that if you clasp your hands together, you can know whether you were a boy or a girl in a past life. When Mina interlocks her fingers, her left thumb is on top. For Sanae, it’s her right thumb. In the past, one was a boy, and the other was a girl.

サナエ:
それで、どっちがどっちなの?」
So, which is which?”