In this workshop, you will practice using Chinese phrases to change the topic smoothly when a conversation stalls. You will learn to recognize and use expressions like «对了», «话说回来», «换个话题吧», and the dialogue phrase «先不说这个了». These phrases help you shift to a new subject without awkwardness. You will also practice a short dialogue where one person suggests changing the topic and the other agrees. By the end, you will be able to keep a conversation flowing in Chinese.
Phrases for Changing the Topic
When a conversation slows down, you can use a phrase to introduce a new topic. «对了» means 'Oh, by the way' or 'That reminds me' and is used to add something you just thought of. «话说回来» means 'Anyway' or 'Coming back to what we were saying' and helps return to an earlier point or move on. «换个话题吧» means 'Let's change the topic' and is a direct way to shift to something else. In the dialogue below, you will also see «先不说这个了», which means 'Let's not talk about this for now' and politely postpones a topic. These phrases are common in everyday conversation and can help you avoid silence.
A Short Dialogue: Changing the Topic
Read this dialogue to see how these phrases work in a real conversation. Person A says: «对了，你周末有什么计划吗？». This means 'Oh, by the way, do you have any plans for the weekend?' Person B replies: «还没想好。话说回来，你上次说的那个展览，后来去了吗？». This means 'I haven't decided yet. Anyway, that exhibition you mentioned last time—did you end up going?' Then Person A says: «去了，挺有意思的。不过，先不说这个了，你看起来有点累，要不要休息一下？». This means 'I went; it was quite interesting. But let's not talk about this for now—you look a bit tired. Do you want to take a break?' Finally, Person B says: «好啊，谢谢。换个话题吧，最近有什么好看的电影吗？». This means 'Sure, thanks. Let's change the topic—any good movies lately?' Notice how the phrases help move the conversation along.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
对了
Oh, by the way / That reminds me
duì le
话说回来
Anyway / Coming back to what we were saying
huà shuō huílái
说到这个
Speaking of which
shuō dào zhège
换个话题吧
Let's change the topic
huàn ge huàtí ba
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
对了，你周末有什么计划吗？
Oh, by the way, do you have any plans for the weekend?还没想好。话说回来，你上次说的那个展览，后来去了吗？
I haven't decided yet. Anyway, that exhibition you mentioned last time—did you end up going?去了，挺有意思的。不过，先不说这个了，你看起来有点累，要不要休息一下？
I went; it was quite interesting. But let's not talk about this for now—you look a bit tired. Do you want to take a break?好啊，谢谢。换个话题吧，最近有什么好看的电影吗？
Sure, thanks. Let's change the topic—any good movies lately?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Practice the Dialogue
You will practice the dialogue from the lesson. One person plays A and the other plays B. If you are alone, you can read both parts aloud.
Your task: Read the dialogue aloud with a partner. Person A starts with «对了，你周末有什么计划吗？». Person B responds with «还没想好。话说回来，你上次说的那个展览，后来去了吗？». Person A continues with «去了，挺有意思的。不过，先不说这个了，你看起来有点累，要不要休息一下？». Person B finishes with «好啊，谢谢。换个话题吧，最近有什么好看的电影吗？». Then swap roles and read it again. Pay attention to the phrases for changing the topic.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You will hear a line from the dialogue and choose the best reply from two options. This checks if you understand the flow of the conversation.
Your task: Imagine you are Person B. Person A says «对了，你周末有什么计划吗？». Which reply is correct? Option 1: «还没想好。话说回来，你上次说的那个展览，后来去了吗？». Option 2: «好啊，谢谢。换个话题吧，最近有什么好看的电影吗？». Choose the correct reply and say it aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Put the Dialogue in Order
You will recall the dialogue and put the lines in the correct order. Then you will role-play with the correct roles.
Your task: Here are the four lines from the dialogue, but they are mixed up: «还没想好。话说回来，你上次说的那个展览，后来去了吗？», «好啊，谢谢。换个话题吧，最近有什么好看的电影吗？», «对了，你周末有什么计划吗？», «去了，挺有意思的。不过，先不说这个了，你看起来有点累，要不要休息一下？». Put them in the correct order. Then, with a partner, role-play the dialogue in that order. Person A reads the first and third lines, Person B reads the second and fourth lines.
Common questions
What does «对了» mean and when do I use it?
«对了» means 'Oh, by the way' or 'That reminds me'. You use it when you suddenly remember something or want to add a new point that is slightly related to the current topic. It helps you introduce a new topic smoothly.
How is «换个话题吧» different from «话说回来»?
«换个话题吧» means 'Let's change the topic' and is a direct suggestion to switch to something completely different. «话说回来» means 'Anyway' or 'Coming back to what we were saying' and is used to return to an earlier point or to move on without a direct change. Both can help avoid silence, but «换个话题吧» is more explicit about changing the subject.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: handle awkward silenceChecked September 2026
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