In everyday Japanese conversation, speakers often shift to a new topic with a short phrase. This workshop gives you active practice with several common topic-change expressions. You will hear each recorded line, learn what it means in English, and then use it in guided exchanges. The goal is to help you recognize these phrases when you hear them and use them smoothly when you speak. You can practice both roles with the recordings, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your answers with the keys provided.
Recognizing Topic-Change Phrases
Topic-change phrases signal that the speaker is moving to a new subject. They often appear at the start of a turn. In «ところで、最近どう？», the speaker says a phrase that means "By the way, how have you been lately?" This is a friendly way to shift from the current topic to asking about the other person. In «そういえば、田中さん結婚したんだって。», the speaker says a phrase that means "Speaking of which, I heard Tanaka-san got married." Here the new topic is connected to something just mentioned. In «ちなみに、それはいくらだった？», the speaker says a phrase that means "By the way, how much was that?" This shifts to asking about a price. In «話は変わるけど、週末の予定は？», the speaker says a phrase that means "Changing the subject, what are your plans for the weekend?" This clearly marks a new topic. Listen for these phrases at the beginning of a turn, and notice how they make the shift feel natural.
Following a Topic Change in a Short Exchange
In a longer exchange, one speaker introduces a topic and the other responds, sometimes with another topic-change phrase. In «昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。», speaker A says a line that means "Yesterday I went to a new cafe." In «そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？», speaker B replies with a phrase that means "Speaking of which, the one that opened near the station?" This shows B is connecting to A's topic and asking for confirmation. In «うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？», speaker A confirms and then uses a topic-change phrase that means "Yeah, that one. By the way, what are you doing this weekend?" So A first answers B's question, then shifts to a new topic. In «ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？», speaker B uses a phrase that means "By the way, was that cafe crowded?" This shifts back to the cafe topic. Notice the order: a question or statement comes first, then a reply, then a follow-up. When you practice, keep that order even if you swap roles.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
ところで、最近どう？
By the way, how have you been lately?
to-ko-ro-de, sa-i-kin dō
そういえば、田中さん結婚したんだって。
Speaking of which, I heard Tanaka-san got married.
sō i-e-ba, ta-na-ka-san ke-k-kon shi-ta-n da-t-te
ちなみに、それはいくらだった？
By the way, how much was that?
chi-na-mi-ni, so-re wa i-ku-ra da-t-ta?
話は変わるけど、週末の予定は？
Changing the subject, what are your plans for the weekend?
ha-na-shi wa ka-wa-ru ke-do, shū-ma-tsu no yo-te-i
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。
Yesterday I went to a new cafe.そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？
Speaking of which, the one that opened near the station?うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？
Yeah, that one. By the way, what are you doing this weekend?ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？
By the way, was that cafe crowded?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Shift to a New Topic
You will play speaker A. Speaker B's lines are provided as recordings. Use the recording references to hear your partner. Your goal is to start a topic change and then respond to your partner's follow-up.
Your task: First, listen to «昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。» and read it aloud as speaker A. Then listen to «そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？» as speaker B's reply. Next, read «うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？» aloud as speaker A. Finally, listen to «ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？» as speaker B's follow-up topic shift back to the cafe. After you finish, check the answer key below.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Matching Response
You will hear a line and choose the best matching reply from two options. Both options are recorded lines. Read the English meanings before choosing.
Your task: Listen to «昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。», which means "Yesterday I went to a new cafe." Which reply fits best? Option A: «そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？», meaning "Speaking of which, the one that opened near the station?" Option B: «ちなみに、それはいくらだった？», meaning "By the way, how much was that?" Choose A or B. Then listen to «うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？», which means "Yeah, that one. By the way, what are you doing this weekend?" Which follow-up fits best as a topic shift back to the cafe? Option A: «ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？», meaning "By the way, was that cafe crowded?" Option B: «ところで、最近どう？», meaning "By the way, how have you been lately?" Choose A or B.
Recall with Correct Roles
In this task, you will recall the exchange from memory. The lines are «昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。», «そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？», «うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？», and «ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？». Speaker A says «昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。» and «うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？». Speaker B says «そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？» and «ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？».
Your task: Without looking at the lines, say the exchange in order. Start with speaker A's line «昨日、新しいカフェに行ったんだ。». Then speaker B's line «そういえば、駅の近くにできたところ？». Then speaker A's line «うん、そこ。ところで、週末は何するの？». Then speaker B's line «ちなみに、そのカフェ、混んでた？». If you cannot recall a line, listen to the recording again and try once more. After you finish, check the answer key below.
Common questions
Do I need to memorize every topic-change phrase before speaking?
No. Start by recognizing the phrases in the recordings and using them in the guided tasks. You can practice one phrase at a time. As you repeat the exchanges, the phrases will become easier to recall. The goal is to use them naturally, not to memorize a list.
Can I practice alone without a partner?
Yes. You can play both roles with the recordings. Listen to one line, pause, and say the other role's line aloud. Then swap. There is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys and success criteria to check your own performance.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: change conversation topicChecked September 2026
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