Tatsächlich, ...
In fact, ...
Tatsächlich war das Treffen kürzer als erwartet.
In fact, the meeting was shorter than expected.
Tatsächlich liegen die Zahlen höher als letztes Jahr.
In fact, the numbers are higher than last year.
German - Smooth Transitions
Lesson 89 of 158
Goal: Phrases to correct, change, and return to topics
Free German lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.
Welcome! Today we'll focus on handy phrases that help conversations flow. Keep it light — these are small connectors that make you sound natural in German.
Level B1: In this lesson (89) you'll practice four useful transition phrases: Tatsächlich..., Eigentlich..., Um mal das Thema zu wechseln..., and Zurück zu ___.... These help you strengthen a point, correct gently, change the subject, or return to a previous topic. The lesson is CEFR-aligned and focused on real conversational use.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
- Recognize and use four B1-level transition phrases naturally.
- Change topics, correct gently, and return to earlier points in conversation.
- Practice listening, short dialogues, and speaking aloud to build confidence.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
Eigentlich, ...
Actually, ...
Eigentlich wollte ich das Dokument gestern fertig haben.
Actually, I wanted to finish the document yesterday.
Eigentlich ist der Zug erst um zehn Uhr.
Actually, the train is at ten o'clock.
Um mal das Thema zu wechseln, ...
To change the subject, ...
Um mal das Thema zu wechseln, wie war dein Wochenende?
To change the subject, how was your weekend?
Um mal das Thema zu wechseln, sollten wir über die Agenda sprechen.
To change the subject, we should talk about the agenda.
Zurück zu ___, ...
Going back to ___, ...
Zurück zu dem Budget, wir brauchen noch genaue Zahlen.
Going back to the budget, we still need exact numbers.
Zurück zu dem, was Anna gesagt hat: Wir sollten das prüfen.
Going back to what Anna said: we should check that.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David clarify a meeting time and move between topics.
Who changes the subject?
Anna
Eigentlich dachte ich, das Meeting ist morgen.
Actually, I thought the meeting is tomorrow.
David
Tatsächlich ist es heute; der Raum wurde vorverlegt.
In fact, it's today; the room was moved earlier.
Anna
Oh, danke. Um mal das Thema zu wechseln, hast du die Präsentation fertig?
Oh, thanks. To change the subject, have you finished the presentation?
David
Fast. Zurück zu dem Budget: Ich habe die Zahlen aktualisiert.
Almost. Going back to the budget: I've updated the numbers.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase would you use to gently correct someone who is slightly mistaken?
Which phrase signals a clear change of topic?
Which phrase best means 'In fact' to emphasize or strengthen a point?
If you want to return to a point you mentioned earlier, which phrase fits?
Going back to the budget, we still need the final numbers.
We were talking about the budget earlier. ___ the budget, we still need the final numbers.
Actually, it's in two weeks.
She said the deadline is next week, but ____, it's in two weeks.
To change the subject, can we discuss the timeline now?
We have one more agenda item. ___, can we discuss the timeline now?
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
Say this phrase out loud:
Tatsächlich, ...
In fact, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Eigentlich, ...
Actually, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Um mal das Thema zu wechseln, ...
To change the subject, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Zurück zu ___, ...
Going back to ___, ...