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Is there any difference between the two? I _think_ さて is more formal than
さ/さあ, but is that true? And are there any other nuances?
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2021-08-12T16:24:20.707
88890
2021-08-13T21:23:28.997
38831
question
grammar word-choice nuances
The nuances between さて and さ/さあ
**From a dictionary**

[さて](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%81%95%E3%81%A6/#jn-88595)

As an interjection:

  1. When moving on to next action, used for talking to himself/herself or invite others. E.g. さて、そろそろ出かけようか

The other two senses listed are rare, so I omitted.

As a conjunction:

  2. To change the topic E.g., さて、話は変わって
  3. To move on to next action. Similar to _then_
  4. To contradict the preceding sentence. Similar to _but_

[さあ](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%81%95%E3%81%82/#jn-84286)

  1. To invite or urge others. E.g., さあ、始めよう
  2. To answer vaguely in the negative E.g., さあ、よくわかりません
  3. Before the new action. E.g., さあ、やるぞ
  4. When interrupting the conversation partner.

[さ](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/%E3%81%95/#jn-84241)

  1. Same as さあ(1)
  2. When one is unsure. E.g., さ、これは困った. Similar to さあ(2)
  3. Same as さあ(4)

**Difference**

Speaking of difference in _nuance_ , さて(1) and さあ(1,3)/さ(1) are relevant. As
the definitions suggest

  * さて sounds more like the speaker saying to himself, thinking of the next action to take. There is no implied listener.
  * さあ sound more like urging. Usually it is assumed that it is directed at someone.
  * As such さて sounds less energetic and さあ more energetic.

A concrete example (of inviting さて/さあ) :

  * さて出かけようか is just casually calling attention of someone you are supposed to go out; A possible translation is _Well, shall we go?_ If saying to himself, _Now it should be time to go._
  * さあ出かけようか is similar, but more passionately inviting and expresses your looking forward to going out. _Now let's go!_ It can be used in a saying-to-himself situation to encourage himself, but the use is rarer.

So the difference is not really formality, but さて does give the impression
that the speaker is a mature person or at least calm. Probably that is what
made you think さて more formal.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-13T06:20:34.130
88895
2021-08-13T21:23:28.997
2021-08-13T21:23:28.997
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