Italian Topic Changes and Discomfort Signals: 'Comunque...' vs 'A proposito...'
Learn to shift topics in Italian with comunque, a proposito, and cambiando discorso, and to signal discomfort with a proposito, se non ti dispiace, and lasciamo perdere.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
At intermediate level, changing the subject in Italian is not just one phrase. You need to distinguish a neutral topic shift from a shift that gently addresses discomfort. The key contrast is between comunque, which means 'anyway' or 'in any case' and often closes or redirects a topic, and a proposito, which literally means 'on the subject' and introduces a related or deliberately new topic. When the previous topic is awkward, Italians often use softer formulas such as se non ti dispiace or lasciamo perdere. This lesson gives you precise phrases, register notes, and a short dialogue so you can change direction without sounding abrupt.
By the end, you can…
- use comunque and a proposito to change or redirect a topic in conversation.
- recognize and use polite formulas that signal discomfort and request a topic change.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Comunque, hai programmi per il fine settimana?
Anyway, do you have plans for the weekend?
koh-MOON-kweh, ai proh-GRAH-mee pehr eel FEE-neh set-tee-MAH-nah
Neutral topic shift. Comunque works like English 'anyway' and can also mean 'in any case'. Very common in informal and semi-formal speech.
A proposito, hai sentito di Marco?
By the way, did you hear about Marco?
ah proh-POH-zee-toh, ai sen-TEE-toh dee MAR-koh
A proposito introduces a related or new topic. It is not a discomfort signal by itself; it is a neutral 'by the way'.
Cambiando discorso, come sta tua madre?
Changing the subject, how is your mother?
kahm-BYAHN-doh dee-SKOR-soh, KOH-meh stah TOO-ah MAH-dreh
Explicit topic change. Slightly more formal or deliberate than comunque; useful when you want the shift to be clear.
Se non ti dispiace, preferirei non parlarne.
If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it.
seh nohn tee dee-SPYAH-cheh, preh-feh-ree-REH-ee nohn par-LAR-neh
Polite discomfort signal. Use with someone you address as tu. With lei, say se non le dispiace. It asks for a topic change without confrontation.
Lasciamo perdere, va bene?
Let's drop it, okay?
lah-SHAH-moh PEHR-deh-reh, vah BEH-neh
Direct but not necessarily rude among friends. It signals that the topic is uncomfortable or unproductive. Softer with a rising intonation and va bene?
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Use comunque to mean 'anyway' when you want to return to a previous point or move on: Comunque, torniamo a noi. Use a proposito to introduce something connected or deliberately new: A proposito, ti ho portato una cosa. Use cambiando discorso when the shift is explicit: Cambiando discorso, hai visto il film? For discomfort, combine a softener with a request: Se non ti dispiace, ne parliamo dopo. Notice that comunque does not by itself apologize or soften; it simply redirects. If the topic is sensitive, add a face-saving phrase such as se non ti dispiace or ne parliamo un'altra volta.
When to use it
Use comunque in everyday conversation when you want to close a digression: Comunque, dicevo... Use a proposito when you remember something relevant: A proposito, domani esco prima. Use cambiando discorso in slightly more formal or careful talk, for example at work: Cambiando discorso, abbiamo ricevuto il preventivo. Use se non ti dispiace or preferirei non parlarne when someone asks about a difficult subject such as a breakup, a job loss, or a family problem. Use lasciamo perdere only with people you know well, or add per favore to soften it. In southern Italy, you may hear embè or vabbè as informal topic closers, but they are regional and colloquial; standard Italian prefers comunque or va bene.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Allora, hai deciso se vieni alla cena sabato?
So, have you decided if you're coming to dinner on Saturday?ahl-LOH-rah, ai deh-CHEE-zoh seh VYEH-nee ahl-lah CHEH-nah SAH-bah-tohNon ancora. Comunque, a proposito, hai sentito di Giulia?
Not yet. Anyway, by the way, did you hear about Giulia?nohn ahn-KOH-rah. koh-MOON-kweh, ah proh-POH-zee-toh, ai sen-TEE-toh dee JOO-lyahSì, ma se non ti dispiace preferirei non parlarne adesso.
Yes, but if you don't mind I'd rather not talk about it now.see, mah seh nohn tee dee-SPYAH-cheh preh-feh-ree-REH-ee nohn par-LAR-neh ah-DEHS-sohCerto, lasciamo perdere. Cambiando discorso, porto io il dolce?
Of course, let's drop it. Changing the subject, shall I bring dessert?CHEHR-toh, lah-SHAH-moh PEHR-deh-reh. kahm-BYAHN-doh dee-SKOR-soh, POR-toh EE-oh eel DOHL-chehA little context goes a long way
Italian conversation often uses comunque as a pragmatic marker rather than a full adverb, so it can appear mid-sentence without a strong pause. A proposito is neutral and common, but if you use it to introduce a sensitive topic it can sound pointed. For discomfort, explicit phrases such as preferirei non parlarne are considered polite and are preferable to silence or a sudden exit. Regional forms like vabbè and embè are fine in informal speech but avoid them in formal or written contexts.
One thing to watch for
Using a proposito as if it automatically softens an uncomfortable topic, for example: A proposito, perché hai lasciato il lavoro?
Try this instead: A proposito only means 'by the way'; it does not signal discomfort or ask permission. If the topic may be sensitive, use a softener: Se non ti dispiace, posso chiederti perché hai lasciato il lavoro? Or change direction with preferirei non parlarne.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You want to shift to a neutral new topic with a friend. Which phrase fits best: comunque, a proposito, or lasciamo perdere?
Show a sample answer
A proposito, hai sentito di Luca?
A proposito introduces a new or related topic neutrally. Comunque is also possible if you are closing the previous topic, but lasciamo perdere signals discomfort or dropping the topic.
2A colleague asks about a painful family situation. Give a polite Italian sentence to avoid the topic.
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Se non le dispiace, preferirei non parlarne.
This uses the formal le because the colleague is addressed with lei. With a friend you would say se non ti dispiace. Preferirei non parlarne is polite and clear.
3Translate into Italian: 'Anyway, let's change the subject.'
Show a sample answer
Comunque, cambiando discorso...
Comunque renders 'anyway', and cambiando discorso makes the shift explicit. You could also say Comunque, parliamo d'altro, which is equally natural.
Use comunque for 'anyway', a proposito for 'by the way', and cambiando discorso for an explicit shift. When the topic causes discomfort, add se non ti dispiace or preferirei non parlarne instead of relying on a proposito alone.
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