,
and
start a sentence that acts on what has just been said or on the situation: "well then", "in that case". They are one word at three levels of formality. じゃあ is what you say to friends; では and それでは are polite, and それでは is the more formal of the two.
。、。
They say it'll rain tomorrow. In that case, let's not go out.
。、。
I hear the trains have stopped. In that case, let's take the bus.
あAきごう：。bBきごう：、。
A: That day doesn't work for me. B: Well then, shall we make it another day?
じゃあ also leads into polite sentences in everyday talk, but a formal announcement or a speech takes では or それでは.
- × じゃあ、会議を始めます → では、会議を始めます
Inside a sentence, では is the particles で and は: is "in Tokyo". It means "well then" only at the start of a sentence.
Moving on
A teacher, a host or whoever runs a meeting uses では or それでは to open or move to the next part: "now", "right".
、。
Now, let's move on to the next question.
、。
Right, let's begin the meeting.
Saying goodbye
All three end a conversation, followed by a parting phrase.
、。
Well then, I'll be going.
is a shorter じゃあ, as in
、。
Lingaku