さて vs. そして: When should you use one or the other?


The title pretty well summarizes the question. さて vs. そして: When should you use
one or the other? How are they different? To me, they come across as being
used very similarly, at least when at the beginning of a sentence, but even
then, there are probably different little nuances.




さて is a "decorative" word and is used like "Now,.." or "So, ..". It doesn't
really matter even if you omit it.

> **さて** 、始めましょうか。: **So** , let's get started.

そして is a coordinating conjunction and can be translated into "Then," or "After
that".

> 空が暗くなって、 **そして** 雨がふりだした。: The sky got dark, **then** it started raining.

Also, it could simply mean "and". For example,

> 私は新聞と傘、 **そして** チョコレートを買った。: I got newspaper, an umbrella, **and** a
> chocolate.




さて is a "decorative" word and is used like "Now,.." or "So, ..". It doesn't
really matter even if you omit it.

> **さて** 、始めましょうか。: **So** , let's get started.

そして is a coordinating conjunction and can be translated into "Then," or "After
that".

> 空が暗くなって、 **そして** 雨がふりだした。: The sky got dark, **then** it started raining.

Also, it could simply mean "and". For example,

> 私は新聞と傘、 **そして** チョコレートを買った。: I got newspaper, an umbrella, **and** a
> chocolate.

