Bueno
Anyway, ...
Bueno, cambiando de tema, ¿qué haces el sábado?
Anyway, changing the subject...
Bueno, ya hablé con ella, así que no te preocupes.
Anyway, I already spoke with her...
Spanish - Transitions
Lesson 88 of 159
Goal: Natural phrases to move the conversation forward
Free Spanish lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.
Welcome back — ready to smooth your conversational flow? This short lesson gives you useful Spanish transition phrases you can drop into real conversations.
Level B1: In Lesson 88 you'll practice 13 common transition phrases (e.g., Bueno..., Por cierto..., En ese caso...) that help you change topics, add examples, or return to a point. These CEFR-aligned chunks make your speech sound more natural and connected — perfect for meetings, chats, and storytelling.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
- Recognize and use 13 transition phrases to move between ideas naturally.
- Introduce side topics, contrast points, and conclusions at B1 level.
- Practice saying each phrase aloud and choosing the right transition in short dialogues.
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.
Por cierto, ...
By the way, ...
Por cierto, ¿viste el correo que envió Marta?
By the way, did you see Marta's email?
Por cierto, mañana hay una reunión importante.
By the way, there's an important meeting tomorrow.
Hablando de ___, ...
Speaking of ___, ...
Hablando de vacaciones, ¿ya elegiste destino?
Speaking of vacations, have you chosen a destination?
Hablando de comida, probé un nuevo restaurante ayer.
Speaking of food, I tried a new restaurant yesterday.
Eso me recuerda, ...
That reminds me, ...
Eso me recuerda, tengo que devolver ese libro a la biblioteca.
That reminds me, I have to return that book.
Eso me recuerda, ¿dejaste las llaves en la mesa?
That reminds me, did you leave the keys on the table?
Como te decía, ...
As I was saying, ...
Como te decía, la propuesta necesita más tiempo.
As I was saying, the proposal needs more time.
Como te decía, la película empieza a las ocho.
As I was saying, the movie starts at eight.
Por otro lado, ...
On the other hand, ...
Podemos salir temprano. Por otro lado, quizá llueva más tarde.
We can go out early. On the other hand, maybe it will rain later.
El precio es bajo. Por otro lado, la calidad no es la mejor.
The price is low. On the other hand, the quality isn't the best.
Al mismo tiempo, ...
At the same time, ...
Es caro, al mismo tiempo es muy duradero.
It's expensive; at the same time it's very durable.
Quiero ayudar. Al mismo tiempo, tengo poco tiempo libre.
I want to help. At the same time, I have little free time.
En ese caso, ...
In that case, ...
No puedes venir. En ese caso, posponemos la reunión.
You can't come. In that case, we'll postpone the meeting.
No tienes experiencia. En ese caso, necesitas entrenamiento.
You have no experience. In that case, you need training.
Antes de que se me olvide, ...
Before I forget, ...
Antes de que se me olvide, trae los documentos mañana.
Before I forget, bring the documents tomorrow.
Antes de que se me olvide, ¿puedes llamar al médico?
Before I forget, can you call the doctor?
El punto es que ...
The thing is, ...
El punto es que no tenemos suficiente personal para la fecha.
The thing is we don't have enough staff for that date.
El punto es que necesitamos más datos antes de decidir.
The thing is we need more data before deciding.
Entonces, ...
So, ...
Entonces, ¿qué hacemos ahora?
So, what do we do now?
Terminó el informe. Entonces, podemos enviar el correo.
The report is finished. So, we can send the email.
Primero que nada, ...
First of all, ...
Primero que nada, quiero agradecer a todos por venir.
First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming.
Primero que nada, revisa los requisitos antes de aplicar.
First of all, check the requirements before applying.
Por ejemplo, ...
For example, ...
Hay varias opciones. Por ejemplo, podemos dividir el proyecto en fases.
There are several options. For example, we can split the project into phases.
Me gusta la comida italiana, por ejemplo la pasta y la pizza.
I like Italian food, for example pasta and pizza.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Planning a small event, using transitions to organize ideas.
Who introduces a related side topic with 'Por cierto'?
Anna
Bueno..., necesitamos decidir la fecha del evento.
Anyway..., we need to decide the event date.
David
Por cierto, Marta dijo que prefiere el fin de semana.
By the way, Marta said she prefers the weekend.
Anna
Hablando de eso, ¿podemos reservar el salón ahora?
Speaking of that, can we book the hall now?
David
Eso me recuerda, debo confirmar el presupuesto.
That reminds me, I must confirm the budget.
Anna
Como te decía, primero que nada necesitamos una lista de invitados.
As I was saying, first of all we need a guest list.
David
Entonces, voy a llamar al salón y te aviso.
So, I'll call the hall and let you know.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which Spanish phrase would you use for 'By the way, I forgot to ask...'?
How do you say 'On the other hand, the price is lower' in Spanish?
Which phrase fits: '___ we need to collect all reports' meaning 'First of all'?
Choose the phrase that means 'Before I forget, tell her about the change.'
I want to get back to what we discussed earlier: As I was saying, we still need to confirm the budget.
I want to get back to what we discussed earlier: ___ we still need to confirm the budget.
She wants to help; at the same time she has very little free time.
She wants to help; ___ she has very little free time.
We finished the schedule; so, let's send it to the team.
We finished the schedule; ___, let's send it to the team.
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:
Bueno
Anyway...
Say this phrase out loud:
Por cierto, ...
By the way, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Hablando de ___, ...
Speaking of ___, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Eso me recuerda, ...
That reminds me, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Como te decía, ...
As I was saying, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Por otro lado, ...
On the other hand, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Al mismo tiempo, ...
At the same time, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
En ese caso, ...
In that case, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Antes de que se me olvide, ...
Before I forget, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
El punto es que ...
The thing is, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Entonces, ...
So, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Primero que nada, ...
First of all, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
Por ejemplo, ...
For example, ...