French for Changing the Topic: Say 'By the Way' with au fait and d'ailleurs
Learn to shift topics naturally in French with au fait, d'ailleurs, and related phrases. Get the direct answer, examples, register notes, and practice.
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In French conversation, changing the subject smoothly often relies on short transition phrases. The most common way to say 'by the way' is au fait. Another useful phrase is d'ailleurs, which can mean 'besides' or 'for that matter'. This lesson teaches you how to use these expressions to link a new topic to the current one, ask questions, and keep a conversation flowing. You'll learn the exact phrases, when to use them, and practice with a dialogue.
By the end, you can…
- use au fait to introduce a related topic or afterthought.
- use d'ailleurs to add a supporting point or shift to a related subject.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Au fait
By the way
oh feh
The most direct equivalent. Use it to introduce a new but related topic or an afterthought. It often comes at the beginning of a sentence.
D'ailleurs
Besides; for that matter; by the way
dah-yuhr
Used to add a point that supports or extends what was just said, or to shift to a related topic. It can also mean 'otherwise' in some contexts.
À propos
By the way; speaking of which
ah pro-poh
Similar to au fait, but slightly more formal. It can also mean 'appropriately' or 'on purpose' depending on context.
Tiens, j'y pense
Oh, that reminds me
tyen, zhee pahns
A casual way to introduce a related thought that just came to mind. Used in informal conversation.
Puisque tu en parles
Since you mention it
pweesk tu ahn pahrl
Used when someone else brings up a topic you want to discuss further. It explicitly links to the other person's words.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is to place a transition phrase at the start of a sentence, then state the new topic. For example: 'Au fait, tu as eu des nouvelles de Marie ?' (By the way, have you heard from Marie?). 'D'ailleurs, elle m'a dit qu'elle déménage.' (Besides, she told me she's moving.) Notice that au fait often introduces a question or a new piece of information, while d'ailleurs adds a supporting fact. You can also use 'À propos' in more formal settings: 'À propos, le rendez-vous est confirmé.' (By the way, the meeting is confirmed.)
When to use it
Use au fait when you want to change the subject to something related but not directly following from the previous sentence. It's like saying 'oh, before I forget'. Use d'ailleurs when you want to add a point that reinforces or explains what was just said. For instance, if someone says 'Je n'aime pas ce restaurant,' you could reply 'D'ailleurs, il est trop cher.' (Besides, it's too expensive.) 'À propos' works well in both casual and formal contexts, but is slightly more formal than au fait. 'Tiens, j'y pense' is very casual and often used among friends.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Tu as fini le projet pour demain ?
Did you finish the project for tomorrow?tew ah fee-nee luh pro-zheh poor duh-man ?Oui, presque. Au fait, tu as parlé à Sophie récemment ?
Yes, almost. By the way, have you talked to Sophie recently?wee, presk. oh feh, tew ah pahr-lay ah so-fee ray-sah-mahn ?Non, pourquoi ? Elle a des nouvelles ?
No, why? Does she have news?nohn, poor-kwah ? el ah day noo-vel ?Oui, d'ailleurs elle déménage à Lyon le mois prochain.
Yes, besides, she's moving to Lyon next month.wee, dah-yuhr el day-may-nazh ah lee-ohn luh mwah pro-shan.A little context goes a long way
In French conversation, au fait and d'ailleurs are extremely common in everyday speech. Au fait is neutral and can be used in most situations, while d'ailleurs often carries a nuance of 'and what's more'. À propos is slightly more formal and may be used in professional contexts. In Quebec, au fait is also used, but you might hear 'en passant' (by the way) more frequently in informal speech. En passant is also used in France but less commonly.
One thing to watch for
Using 'par la façon' as a literal translation of 'by the way'.
Try this instead: The correct phrase is 'au fait' or 'd'ailleurs'. 'Par la façon' is not used in French. For example, say 'Au fait, tu viens ce soir ?' not 'Par la façon, tu viens ce soir ?'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'By the way, I saw Paul yesterday' in French?
Show a sample answer
Au fait, j'ai vu Paul hier.
Au fait is the standard way to introduce a new but related topic. You could also use 'À propos' for a slightly more formal tone.
2Which phrase would you use to add a supporting point, meaning 'besides'?
Show a sample answer
D'ailleurs
D'ailleurs is used to add a point that supports or extends what was just said. It can often be translated as 'besides' or 'for that matter'.
3What is a casual way to say 'Oh, that reminds me' in French?
Show a sample answer
Tiens, j'y pense
This expression is informal and used when a related thought suddenly comes to mind. It's common among friends.
Use au fait to introduce a new but related topic, and d'ailleurs to add a supporting point. Both are essential for smooth topic shifts in French conversation.
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