Simplified Chinese - Transitions

Lesson 89 of 156

A small group sitting at a café talking; the image suggests conversational transitions in Simplified Chinese (Transitions).

Goal: Useful little phrases to move the conversation — correct, clarify, or switch topics smoothly

Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Nice to see you — ready for another quick practice? This short lesson focuses on everyday transition phrases that help conversations flow.

Level B1: In this lesson you'll practice four common transition phrases — 事实上 (shìshí shàng), 其实 (qíshí), 换个话题 (huàn ge huàtí), and 说回___ (shuō huí ___). These help you correct, clarify, change subjects, and return to earlier points during real conversations. CEFR-aligned and practical — perfect for sounding natural in discussions.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and hear four useful transition phrases in natural speech.
  • Use 事实上 (shìshí shàng) and 其实 (qíshí) to strengthen or gently correct statements.
  • Signal topic shifts with 换个话题 (huàn ge huàtí) and return to earlier points with 说回___ (shuō huí ___).
  • Practice speaking the phrases aloud to build fluency and confidence (Level B1).
Two colleagues leaning over a notebook, practicing transition phrases in Simplified Chinese for everyday conversations.

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.

事实上，

Shìshí shàng, ...

In fact, ...

Meaning: In fact, ...

When to use: Use 事实上 (shìshí shàng) to add stronger or more exact information — often to correct or emphasize a point.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 事实上 for light corrections where 其实 would sound friendlier. 事实上 is slightly stronger.

事实上，我们早就订好了机票。

Shìshí shàng, wǒmen zǎo jiù dìng hǎo le jīpiào.

In fact, we booked the tickets long ago.
事实上，他并不知道那个消息。

Shìshí shàng, tā bìng bù zhīdào nàge xiāoxi.

In fact, he didn't know about that news.

其实，

Qíshí, ...

Actually, ...

Meaning: Actually, ...

When to use: Use 其实 (qíshí) for mild corrections, clarifications, or to add a real thought you hadn't said yet.

其实，我不太喜欢咖啡。

Qíshí, wǒ bù tài xǐhuan kāfēi.

Actually, I don't really like coffee.
其实，她昨天就到了。

Qíshí, tā zuótiān jiù dào le.

Actually, she arrived yesterday.

换个话题，

Huàn ge huàtí, ...

To change the subject, ...

Meaning: To change the subject, ...

When to use: Use 换个话题 (huàn ge huàtí) to clearly signal you want to talk about something else; it's neutral and conversational.

换个话题，我想听听你的计划。

Huàn ge huàtí, wǒ xiǎng tīng tīng nǐ de jìhuà.

To change the subject, I'd like to hear your plan.
换个话题，周末你有什么安排？

Huàn ge huàtí, zhōumò nǐ yǒu shénme ānpái?

Changing the subject, what are your weekend plans?

说回___，

Shuō huí ___, ...

Going back to ___, ...

Meaning: Going back to ___, ...

When to use: Use 说回___ (shuō huí ___) to return to something mentioned earlier — plug in the topic right after 说回.

Tip: Don't leave the blank empty — beginners sometimes say 说回 and pause; native speech immediately adds the topic (e.g., 说回这个/说回工作).

说回工作，那个项目需要更多时间。

Shuō huí gōngzuò, nàge xiàngmù xūyào gèng duō shíjiān.

Going back to work, that project needs more time.
说回你刚才提到的问题，我们可以讨论细节。

Shuō huí nǐ gāngcái tídào de wèntí, wǒmen kěyǐ tǎolùn xìjié.

Going back to the issue you mentioned, we can discuss details.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David are discussing a project but switch topics then return to the original point.

Anna and David talk across a table, using phrases like 其实 and 换个话题 while smiling—a lesson about social glue in Simplified Chinese.

Who asks to change the subject?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

其实，我们先总结一下上次的决定吧。

Qíshí, wǒmen xiān zǒngjié yíxià shàng cì de juédìng ba.

Actually, let's first summarize last time's decisions.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

换个话题，你这个周末有空吗？

Huàn ge huàtí, nǐ zhège zhōumò yǒu kòng ma?

Change the subject: are you free this weekend?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我有空，但说回那个报告，时间可能不够。

Wǒ yǒu kòng, dàn shuō huí nàge bàogào, shíjiān kěnéng bùgòu.

I'm free, but going back to that report, time might not be enough.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

事实上，我们可以把一些任务分配给李明。

Shìshí shàng, wǒmen kěyǐ bǎ yìxiē rènwù fēnpèi gěi Lǐ Míng.

In fact, we can assign some tasks to Li Ming.

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

好主意，事实上这会减轻我们的工作量。

Hǎo zhǔyì, shìshí shàng zhè huì jiǎnqīng wǒmen de gōngzuòliàng.

Good idea — in fact, that will reduce our workload.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase is best to add a stronger, more exact point?

If you want to switch the conversation to something else, which do you say?

Which phrase would you use to return to an earlier point in the conversation?

You want to gently correct someone who assumed something wrong. Which is most natural?

Friend: 'I thought the meeting was tomorrow.' You: 'Actually, the meeting is this afternoon.'

朋友说："我以为会议是明天。" 你回答："___，会议是今天下午。"

You're discussing progress: 'Going back to the report, we should write the conclusion first.'

你们在讨论进度，你说："___报告，我们应该先写结论。"

After the discussion: 'In fact, we need more information before deciding.'

讨论后你总结："___，我们需要更多信息才能决定。"

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:

事实上，

Shìshí shàng, ...

In fact, ...

Say this phrase out loud:

其实，

Qíshí, ...

Actually, ...

Say this phrase out loud:

换个话题，

Huàn ge huàtí, ...

To change the subject, ...

Say this phrase out loud:

说回___，

Shuō huí ___, ...

Going back to ___, ...