不说这个了，
Anyway, ...
不说这个了，我们去喝杯咖啡吧。
Anyway, let's go get a coffee.
不说这个了，我想起来还有一件重要的事。
Anyway, I remembered something important.
Simplified Chinese - Smooth Transitions
Lesson 88 of 156
Goal: Phrases to move the conversation along
Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.
Ready to make your Chinese conversations flow? In this lesson you'll learn natural little bridges people use all the time. Practice listening, repeating, then use them aloud — just like a conversation.
Level B1: Lesson 88 — you’ll practice everyday transition phrases (不说这个了, 对了, 说到___, 这倒提醒我了, 接着刚才说的, 另一方面, 同时, 那这样的话, 趁我还没忘, 问题是, 所以, 首先, 比如). These are CEFR-aligned conversational glue you can use to change topics, add contrasts, or return to earlier points. Expect short examples and a mini-dialogue to hear them in action.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
- Understand and use 13 common transition phrases in spoken Chinese.
- Link ideas smoothly: change topic, add a related point, contrast, or return to something you were saying.
- Practice speaking each phrase aloud so they sound natural in real conversation.
- Level B1: build conversational coherence with simple, natural connectors.
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.
对了，
By the way, ...
对了，你上次说的那本书看完了吗？
By the way, did you finish that book you mentioned?
对了，明天的会议改到下午两点了。
By the way, tomorrow's meeting moved to 2 PM.
说到___，
Speaking of ___, ...
说到旅行，你打算什么时候去日本？
Speaking of travel, when do you plan to go to Japan?
说到工作，他最近找到新工作了。
Speaking of work, he found a new job recently.
这倒提醒我了，...
That reminds me, ...
这倒提醒我了，我还没给妈妈回电话。
That reminds me, I haven't called my mom back.
这倒提醒我了，下周是李老师的生日。
That reminds me, next week is Teacher Li's birthday.
接着刚才说的，...
As I was saying, ...
接着刚才说的，我们需要先确定预算。
As I was saying, we need to decide the budget first.
接着刚才说的，那个方案有两个问题需要解决。
As I was saying, that plan has two problems to solve.
另一方面，
On the other hand, ...
价格便宜，但另一方面，质量可能不稳定。
The price is cheap; on the other hand, the quality might be unstable.
他很努力，另一方面要注意休息。
He works hard; on the other hand, he should pay attention to rest.
同时，
At the same time, ...
我们要节省成本，同时也要保证品质。
We must save costs, and at the same time ensure quality.
他说他会来，同时他也要带材料。
He said he'll come; at the same time he'll bring the materials.
那这样的话，
In that case, ...
那这样的话，我们就改到下周吧。
In that case, let's move it to next week.
你不来，那这样的话我自己去。
If you can't come, in that case I'll go by myself.
趁我还没忘，
Before I forget, ...
趁我还没忘，别忘了带护照。
Before I forget, don't forget to bring your passport.
趁我还没忘，我要把地址发给你。
Before I forget, I'll send you the address.
问题是，
The thing is, ...
问题是，他现在不在公司。
The thing is, he's not at the office right now.
问题是预算不够，我们需要再讨论。
The thing is, the budget isn't enough; we need to discuss it.
所以，
So, ...
他一直加班，所以他今天来不了。
He has been working overtime, so he can't come today.
今天下雨，所以我们改在室内举行。
It's raining today, so we'll move it indoors.
首先，
First of all, ...
首先，我们要确认参加人数。
First of all, we need to confirm the number of participants.
首先，感谢大家的努力。
First of all, thanks everyone for their effort.
比如，
For example, ...
比如，你可以每天练习十分钟口语。
For example, you can practice speaking ten minutes each day.
我喜欢运动，比如跑步和游泳。
I like exercising, for example running and swimming.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Planning a weekend outing at a café
What new topic do they decide to talk about?
Anna
对了，周末你有空吗？
By the way, are you free this weekend?
David
说到周末，我正想问你有没有兴趣去爬山。
Speaking of the weekend, I was wondering if you're interested in hiking.
Anna
这倒提醒我了，我还没准备好登山鞋。
That reminds me, I haven't prepared hiking shoes.
David
那这样的话，我们可以改成去公园散步。
In that case, we can change to going for a walk in the park.
Anna
趁我还没忘，顺便发你地图地址。
Before I forget, I'll send you the map address.
David
好，那这样的话周六上午见。问题是会不会下雨？
Okay, then see you Saturday morning. The thing is, will it rain?
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase means 'Speaking of ___'?
If you want to return to a point after being interrupted, which phrase fits best?
Which phrase would you use to introduce a contrasting point?
Which phrase signals 'So' as a conclusion or next step?
He just said he's busy; in that case, shall we move the meeting to next week?
他刚才说他很忙，___我们把会议改到下周吗？
You said you'll invite many people. The thing is, we need to confirm the budget first.
你说你要邀请很多人，___我们需要先确认预算。
I want to learn Chinese; first of all, practicing listening and speaking every day is important.
我想学中文，___每天练习听力和口语很重要。
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:
不说这个了，
Anyway, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
对了，
By the way, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
说到___，
Speaking of ___, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
这倒提醒我了，...
That reminds me, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
接着刚才说的，...
As I was saying, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
另一方面，
On the other hand, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
同时，
At the same time, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
那这样的话，
In that case, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
趁我还没忘，
Before I forget, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
问题是，
The thing is, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
所以，
So, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
首先，
First of all, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
比如，
For example, ...