Since the learn Japanese sub is closed for posting, I was hoping it’d be okay to post here? I’ve heard these words used interchangeably to mean “well then, anyway, so”, etc. Is there any difference to how these should be used or can I use them as such?
3 comments
ja is casual. Be careful with it when talking to people above you.
sate is used formally, like in a presentation.
Deha is not as formal as sate but still somewhat too formal when using it with your colleagues or friends. “そうしたら” is my fav.
“Sate” is when you are going to start taking action regarding something- “Well then, I have to get going”, “Well let’s start” “well I’m off to bed”
“Ja ne” is used to say “bye”. Ja is also used similar to “sate” as mentioned above. It’s also used to introduce a contradiction or propose something (like “in that case”)- “well what do you think about that?” “Well couldn’t you do something different?” “Well how about eating pizza?”
“Dewa” is complex.
Take a look at this:
https://selftaughtjapanese.com/2015/02/26/japanese-particle-combination-では-de-wa-and-じゃ-ja/
You can still post in the daily help thread on the learnjapanese sub 🙂