By the way
Conversation phrases, Stage 1chunk 60 of 68Opening and changing the subject
Shifts to a new topic or back to an old one.
- hanashi kawaru kedoto change the subject; by the way
- a, sou daoh, right; oh, I just remembered
- sore de omoidashita kedothat reminds me
- hanashi modoru kedogoing back to what we were saying
Mix-ups hanashi kawaru changes the topic; hanashi modoru goes back.
hanashi kawaru kedo
polite hanashi wa kawarimasu ga
to change the subject; by the way
Signals a new topic; tokorode is the textbook 'by the way'.
hanashi kawaru kedo, raishuu no nomikai iku?
Changing the subject, are you going to next week's drinks?
話変わるけど、来週の飲み会行く？
hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, raishuu no nomikai ni ikimasu ka?
To change the subject, are you going to next week's drinks?
話は変わりますが、来週の飲み会に行きますか？
Written 話変わるけど · はなしかわるけど · 話は変わりますがWho you say itHeard 2× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
a, sou da
oh, right; oh, I just remembered
Said when something suddenly comes to mind, just before you bring it up.
Not agreement: for 'that's right' say sou da ne or sou desu.
a, sou da. kore, omiyage.
Oh, right. This is a souvenir for you.
あ、そうだ。これ、お土産。
a, sou da. kore, omiyage desu.
Oh, right. Here's a souvenir for you.
あ、そうだ。これ、お土産です。
Written あ、そうだWho you say itHeard 663× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
sore de omoidashita kedo
polite sore de omoidashita n desu kedo
that reminds me
Switches to a related topic that something just said brought to mind.
Omoidasu = to recall; 'a, omoidashita!' is 'oh, now I remember!'.
a, sore de omoidashita kedo, kagi kaeshite.
Oh, that reminds me, give me back my key.
あ、それで思い出したけど、鍵返して。
sore de omoidashita n desu kedo, raishuu no kaigi wa nanji kara desu ka?
That reminds me, what time does next week's meeting start?
それで思い出したんですけど、来週の会議は何時からですか？
Written それで思い出したけど · それでおもいだしたけど · それで思い出したんですけどWho you say itHeard 10× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
hanashi modoru kedo
polite hanashi ga modorimasu kedo
going back to what we were saying
Steers the talk back to an earlier topic after a tangent.
The opposite move is 'hanashi kawaru kedo' (changing the subject).
hanashi modoru kedo, ryokou itsu ni suru?
Going back to what we said, when shall we do the trip?
話戻るけど、旅行いつにする？
hanashi ga modorimasu kedo, sakki no ken wa dou narimashita ka?
Going back a bit, what happened with that earlier matter?
話が戻りますけど、さっきの件はどうなりましたか？
Written 話戻るけど · はなしもどるけど · 話が戻りますけどWho you say itHeard 5× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles