好啦，
Anyway, ...
好啦，我們先吃飯。
Anyway, let’s eat first.
好啦，這個等一下再說。
Anyway, let’s talk about this later.
Traditional Chinese - Smooth Transitions
Lesson 88 of 152
Goal: Sound natural when you shift, add, contrast, or return to a topic.
Free traditional Chinese lessons with Taiwan Mandarin audio and speaking practice.
Sometimes the hardest part of speaking isn’t the vocabulary—it’s getting from one idea to the next without sounding like a robot on a scooter.
Level B1: In this lesson, you’ll practice useful “conversation glue” like 好啦 (Hǎo la), 對了 (Duì le), 另一方面 (Lìng yì fāngmiàn), and 這樣的話 (Zhèyàng de huà). These phrases help you change topics, add examples, contrast ideas, and bring the conversation back on track in natural Taiwan Mandarin.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
- Use 好啦 (Hǎo la) and 對了 (Duì le) to shift topics naturally.
- Connect related ideas with 說到___ (Shuō dào ___) and 這讓我想到 (Zhè ràng wǒ xiǎng dào).
- Return to an earlier point with 回到剛剛講的 (Huí dào gānggāng jiǎng de).
- Contrast and add ideas using 另一方面 (Lìng yì fāngmiàn) and 同時 (Tóngshí).
- At B1, speak more smoothly by adding results, examples, and key problems with 所以 (Suǒyǐ), 比方說 (Bǐfāng shuō), and 問題是 (Wèntí shì).
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.
對了，
By the way, ...
對了，你明天有空嗎？
By the way, are you free tomorrow?
對了，我忘了跟你說。
By the way, I forgot to tell you.
說到___，
Speaking of ___, ...
說到咖啡，這附近有一家很棒的店。
Speaking of coffee, there’s a great shop nearby.
說到週末，你有什麼計畫？
Speaking of the weekend, what plans do you have?
這讓我想到，
That reminds me, ...
這讓我想到，我還沒買票。
That reminds me, I haven’t bought tickets yet.
這讓我想到，David也想一起去。
That reminds me, David also wants to go together.
回到剛剛講的，...
As I was saying, ...
回到剛剛講的，我們需要先訂位。
As I was saying, we need to reserve first.
回到剛剛講的，預算大概是多少？
As I was saying, about how much is the budget?
另一方面，
On the other hand, ...
另一方面，坐捷運比較方便。
On the other hand, taking the MRT is more convenient.
另一方面，外送會比較快。
On the other hand, delivery would be faster.
同時，
At the same time, ...
同時，我們也要看天氣。
At the same time, we also need to check the weather.
同時，Anna可能會晚一點到。
At the same time, Anna might arrive a little late.
這樣的話，
In that case, ...
這樣的話，我們改約七點。
In that case, let’s change it to seven.
這樣的話，我先幫你訂。
In that case, I’ll book it for you first.
趁我還沒忘記，...
Before I forget, ...
趁我還沒忘記，這是我的電話。
Before I forget, this is my phone number.
趁我還沒忘記，明天要帶雨傘。
Before I forget, bring an umbrella tomorrow.
問題是，
The thing is, ...
問題是，我今天要加班。
The thing is, I have to work overtime today.
問題是，票已經賣完了。
The thing is, the tickets are already sold out.
所以，
So, ...
所以，我們今天不去了嗎？
So, we’re not going today?
所以，你想先休息一下？
So, you want to rest for a bit first?
首先，
First of all, ...
首先，我們要確認時間。
First of all, we need to confirm the time.
首先，謝謝大家今天來。
First of all, thank you everyone for coming today.
比方說，
For example, ...
比方說，你可以搭捷運或公車。
For example, you can take the MRT or the bus.
比方說，這家店的牛肉麵很好吃。
For example, this shop’s beef noodle soup is really good.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David are planning dinner after work, but the plan keeps changing.
What are Anna and David trying to decide?
Anna
首先，我們要先決定要吃什麼。
First of all, we need to decide what to eat.
David
說到吃的，我知道一家新的牛肉麵店。
Speaking of food, I know a new beef noodle shop.
Anna
對了，那家店需要訂位嗎？
By the way, does that place need a reservation?
David
問題是，他們今天可能很多人。
The thing is, they might be really crowded today.
Anna
另一方面，坐捷運過去很方便。
On the other hand, taking the MRT there is very convenient.
David
這樣的話，我們先打電話問問看。
In that case, let’s call first and ask.
Anna
趁我還沒忘記，Sarah也想一起來。
Before I forget, Sarah also wants to come.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase means “By the way...” and introduces a related side topic?
Which phrase helps you return to an earlier topic after being interrupted?
Which phrase introduces a contrasting point?
Which phrase introduces the main problem or difficulty?
That reminds me, I haven’t bought tickets yet.
A：明天要看電影。B：___ 我還沒買票。
In that case, let’s change it to seven.
A：六點我還在上班。B：___ 我們改約七點。
For example, you can take the MRT or the bus.
去那裡有很多方法，___ 你可以搭捷運或公車。
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:
好啦，
Anyway, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
對了，
By the way, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
說到___，
Speaking of ___, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
這讓我想到，
That reminds me, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
回到剛剛講的，...
As I was saying, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
另一方面，
On the other hand, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
同時，
At the same time, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
這樣的話，
In that case, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
趁我還沒忘記，...
Before I forget, ...
Say this phrase out loud:
問題是，
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:
比方說，
For example, …