Japanese - Transitions

Lesson 89 of 168

Two colleagues talking in an office while one gently changes the subject in Japanese; theme: transitions and social glue.

Goal: Phrases to steer, correct, and return in conversation

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome — ready to smooth your conversations? This short lesson helps you move between topics, add facts, and return to earlier points with natural Japanese.

Level B1: In lesson 89 we'll practice four useful transition phrases: 実際 (Jissai), 実は (Jitsu wa), 話は変わりますが (Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga), and the return-frame ___に戻りますが (___ ni modorimasu ga). These are polite, natural ways to add facts, softly correct, change the subject, or go back to earlier points. It's CEFR-aligned and full of examples you can say out loud.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Practice using 実際 (Jissai, “In fact…”) to add or strengthen a point.
  • Use 実は (Jitsu wa, “Actually…”) to gently correct or reveal unexpected information.
  • Signal a topic change with 話は変わりますが (Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, “To change the subject…”).
  • Return to earlier points with ___に戻りますが (___ ni modorimasu ga, “Going back to ___…”).
  • Level B1: start combining these transitions smoothly in short conversations.
A friendly café meeting where a speaker uses 実は and 実際 to add facts and corrections in Japanese.

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.

実際、

Jissai, …

In fact, ...

Meaning: In fact, …

When to use: Use this to add a factual detail that strengthens or makes a previous point more exact. It's neutral and often used to report reality or results.

Tip: Confusing 実際 with 実は — 実際は focuses on factual reality, while 実は often softens a correction or reveals something unexpected.

実際、彼は毎日歩いて通勤しています。

Jissai, kare wa mainichi aruite tsūkin shiteimasu.

In fact, he walks to work every day.
その計画は見た目より実際は難しかったです。

Sono keikaku wa mitame yori jissai wa muzukashikatta desu.

That plan was harder in reality than it looked.

実は、

Jitsu wa, …

Actually, ...

Meaning: Actually, …

When to use: Use this to gently correct, clarify, or reveal something that might surprise the listener. Neutral tone and common in spoken Japanese.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 実は to emphasize facts (like 実際). Remember: 実は often introduces something a little surprising or corrective.

実は、今日予定を変えました。

Jitsu wa, kyō yotei o kaemashita.

Actually, I changed today's plans.
レポート、実はまだ終わっていません。

Repōto, jitsu wa mada owatteimasen.

The report isn't finished, actually.

話は変わりますが、…

Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, …

To change the subject, ...

Meaning: To change the subject, …

When to use: Use this polite phrase when you want to clearly move to a different topic. In casual talk you can shorten it to 話変わるけど、…

話は変わりますが、来週のミーティングの時間はどうですか？

Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, raishū no mītingu no jikan wa dō desu ka?

To change the subject, how is next week's meeting time?
話は変わりますが、新しいカフェに行ってみませんか？

Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, atarashii kafe ni itte mimasen ka?

Changing the subject, would you like to try the new café?

___に戻りますが、…

___ ni modorimasu ga, …

Going back to ___, ...

Meaning: Going back to ___, …

When to use: Use this polite frame when you want to return to a previous topic or point. Put a noun (topic) before に戻りますが (e.g. 本題に戻りますが、先ほどの数字について…).

本題に戻りますが、結論をもう一度確認しましょう。

Hondai ni modorimasu ga, ketsuron o mōichido kakunin shimashō.

Returning to the main topic, let's confirm the conclusion once more.
先ほどの質問に戻りますが、予算についてもう一度話せますか？

Sakihodo no shitsumon ni modorimasu ga, yosan ni tsuite mōichido hanasemasu ka?

Going back to the earlier question, can we talk about the budget again?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

A short office chat where Anna and David correct a point and then shift to a new idea.

Anna and David at a table: Anna mentions an unexpected fact (実は), then changes the subject (話は変わりますが).

Who changes the subject in the conversation?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

実際、先週のプレゼンの数字が少し違っていました。

Jissai, senshū no purezen no sūji ga sukoshi chigatte imashita.

In fact, the figures in last week's presentation were a bit different.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

実は、私もその点が気になっていました。

Jitsu wa, watashi mo sono ten ga ki ni natte imashita.

Actually, I was worried about that point too.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

話は変わりますが、新しいプロジェクトについてどう思いますか？

Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, atarashii purojekuto ni tsuite dō omoimasu ka?

Changing the subject, what do you think about the new project?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

本題に戻りますが、結論は変えない方がいいと思います。

Hondai ni modorimasu ga, ketsuron wa kaenai hō ga ii to omoimasu.

Going back to the main point, I think it's better not to change the conclusion.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase is best to gently correct or reveal something unexpected?

Which phrase signals a clear topic change?

You want to emphasize a factual reality. Which opening is most natural?

Which phrase would you use to return to something you mentioned earlier?

A: I thought he wouldn't come. B: Actually, he is coming.

A: 彼は来ないかと思った。 B: ___、彼は来ますよ。

Let's discuss that point later. To change the subject, let's confirm the new schedule.

この点は後で相談しましょう。___、新しい予定を確認しましょう。

The conversation is going everywhere. Returning to the main topic, let's go back to the budget discussion.

話があちこちに行っています。___、予算の話に戻りましょう。

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:

実際、

Jissai, …

In fact, …

Say this phrase out loud:

実は、

Jitsu wa, …

Actually, …

Say this phrase out loud:

話は変わりますが、…

Hanashi wa kawarimasu ga, …

To change the subject, …

Say this phrase out loud:

___に戻りますが、…

___ ni modorimasu ga, …

Going back to ___, …