そういえば – How do you say By-the-Way in Japanese?
Here are 5 ways to say by the way in Japanese.
話し変わるけど
あ、そうそう
そういえば
ところで
関係ないけど
INDEX
ところで
Probably the most direct translation for by the way is ところで. You can use it the same as any other situation in English where you would use by the way.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/そういえば
If you want a second common way to say by the way then そういえば is also a common expression. Use this phrase When you remember something you would like to say when speaking to someone. It is a way to change the subject.
あ、そうそう
This is a more obvious way to tell someone that you just remembered something. It would be kind of like saying oh, that’s right!
話が変わるけど
This is a more direct way to change the subject. 話が変わるけど (はなしがかわるけど) literally means the conversation is going to change, or I am changing the conversation. So, if you want to completely change the conversation this is a good phrase to have available.
関係ないけど
You can change the subject by saying this is unrelated. In Japanese that would be 関係ないけど (かんけいないけど). You can use the phrase as is or combine phrases like below:
あの、これ関係ないけど
そうそう、関係ないけど
関係ないけどさ、
When you have a conversation with someone in Japanese these phrases will help you maintain a good flow between thoughts. If you would like to learn how to connect your sentences I have three posts below. Good Luck with your Japanese! がんばって！
Conversational Japanese with Conjunctions Part 1
Conversational Japanese with Conjunctions Part 2
Conversational Japanese with Conjunctions Part 3
