“Por cierto” is the usual match; “a propósito” fits when you’re linking ideas, and “a todo esto” works when you pivot topics.
If you’ve learned Spanish from textbooks, “by the way” can feel like a phrase that causes a big pause. You know what you want to do: slip in a side comment, change the topic, or add an afterthought. Spanish can do all of that, but the best wording shifts with the moment.
This article gives you the phrases Spanish speakers reach for, what each one signals, and where to place it in a sentence. You’ll get ready-to-use lines for chats, class, work messages, and essays, plus two tables you can skim when you’re in a rush.
‘By the Way’ in Spanish for real conversations
In English, “by the way” can mean “small side note,” “topic change,” or “oh, one more thing.” Spanish has different tools for each. Start with the one that fits most everyday cases, then branch out.
Por cierto: the go-to for a short aside
Por cierto is the closest daily match when you’re adding a short extra detail that wasn’t the main point. It sounds natural at the start of a sentence, and it can sit mid-sentence with commas.
- Por cierto, ya terminé la tarea.
- Ya terminé la tarea, por cierto.
In speech, the pause around por cierto often matters more than the exact position.
A propósito: when you mean “speaking of that”
A propósito works when your “by the way” connects to something related, like you’re picking up a thread. It can feel like “speaking of…” or “that reminds me…,” not a random aside.
- A propósito, ¿cómo te fue en el examen?
- Estaba pensando en tu viaje. A propósito, ¿ya compraste los boletos?
If your add-on has no link to what came before, a propósito can sound off. In that case, por cierto is safer.
Hablando de eso: a clear link to the last topic
Hablando de eso (“speaking of that”) is a plain, safe connector. It’s useful in writing and in class, since it shows the connection without extra attitude.
- Hablando de eso, tengo una duda sobre la lectura.
- Hablando de eso, ¿cuándo es la fecha límite?
Ya que lo mencionas: reacting to what someone just said
Ya que lo mencionas is a friendly “since you mention it.” It’s best when the other person has brought up the topic, and you’re adding a related point.
- Ya que lo mencionas, ¿me pasas el enlace?
- Ya que lo mencionas, ese libro también me gustó.
Ya que estamos: “since we’re here”
Ya que estamos works when you’re in the middle of something and you want to tack on a related task or question. You’ll hear it in errands, meetings, and group chats.
- Ya que estamos, ¿puedes enviarme el archivo?
- Ya que estamos hablando de horarios, ¿a qué hora llegas?
De paso: “while you’re at it”
De paso suggests convenience: you’re doing one thing and adding another small thing along the way. It’s great for requests that feel light.
- Si vas a la tienda, compra pan de paso.
- Pásate por la biblioteca y, de paso, pregunta por el libro.
A todo esto: a pivot that can feel chatty
A todo esto often signals a pivot: you’re returning to something you meant to ask, or you’re steering the chat to a new point. Tone matters here; said warmly, it’s playful.
- A todo esto, ¿qué pasó con tu entrevista?
- A todo esto, ¿quién trae la comida mañana?
Small regional and register notes
Por cierto works across Spain and Latin America. A todo esto shows up often too, but in formal writing a new sentence or en cuanto a / otra cosa reads cleaner.
Placement and punctuation that sounds natural
Most “by the way” phrases in Spanish work best with a short pause. In writing, commas show that pause.
- Start of sentence: Por cierto, … / A propósito, … / A todo esto, …
- Mid-sentence: …, por cierto, … / …, de paso, …
- End of sentence: …, por cierto. (Common in chat.)
If you’re writing an essay, keep these parenthetical inserts rare. In a text thread, they can appear as often as they do in your English messages.
What you want to do with the phrase
Before you pick words, name your intent. This takes two seconds and saves you from a stiff translation.
- Add a small extra detail:por cierto.
- Link to a related idea:a propósito, hablando de eso, or ya que lo mencionas.
- Add a side task or request:de paso or ya que estamos.
- Pivot the topic:a todo esto, or a new sentence with a direct question.
After that choice, keep the rest of the sentence plain. Don’t stack two pivot phrases at once.
When English “by the way” disappears in Spanish
Sometimes the cleanest move is to skip a set phrase and just ask the new thing.
- Cambiando de tema, ¿ya viste las notas?
- Otra cosa: ¿me confirmas la hora?
Short dialogues you can reuse
These mini scripts show how the phrases sound in context.
Friends making plans
- Por cierto, ¿vas a venir el viernes?
- Sí. Y ya que estamos, ¿a qué hora empieza?
Class and study chat
- Terminé el ejercicio 4. Por cierto, la 4b me dio problemas.
- Hablando de eso, ¿el profe dijo algo del proyecto?
Work messages that stay polite
- Ya que estamos, ¿podrías confirmar la hora de la reunión?
- Si vas a hablar con Marta, dile esto de paso.
Common Spanish options for “by the way”
The table below compares choices you’ll meet often. Read the “best for” column first; it’s an easy way to pick a phrase.
| Spanish phrase | Best for | Feel in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Por cierto | Short aside, extra detail | Neutral, natural in speech and chat |
| A propósito | Related thread, “speaking of…” | Linked pivot, slightly more formal |
| Hablando de eso | Clear link to the last topic | Plain connector, safe in writing |
| Ya que lo mencionas | Reacting to what someone said | Responsive, friendly, natural |
| Ya que estamos | Related add-on while doing something | Practical, friendly in group talk |
| De paso | Small extra task on the way | Light request, convenience vibe |
| A todo esto | Topic pivot, returning to a point | Chatty pivot, tone carries meaning |
| Otra cosa | Simple topic shift | Direct, works in messages and speech |
Mistakes that make it sound translated
Awkward lines usually come from picking one phrase and using it for every situation. Punctuation can cause trouble too.
Using “a propósito” for random asides
If your add-on is unrelated, a propósito can feel like you’re forcing a link that isn’t there. Switch to por cierto.
Copying English word order too closely
English often drops “by the way” in the middle of a long sentence. Spanish can do that, but shorter is cleaner. Try splitting the thought into two sentences, or front-load the aside with por cierto.
Inventing a literal phrase that Spanish doesn’t use
New learners sometimes create “por el camino” or “por la vía” as a direct translation. Those phrases exist, but they don’t work as a conversational pivot. Stick with the set options in the tables.
How it changes in emails, essays, and captions
Spanish has room for casual pivots, but the channel matters. A WhatsApp message can lean on por cierto and end-of-sentence asides. A school essay needs fewer side notes and cleaner links.
In a friendly email
Use one “by the way” phrase, then keep the rest direct.
- Por cierto, te adjunto el documento.
- Ya que estamos, ¿me confirmas tu dirección?
In a more formal message
If you want the “one more thing” feel without sounding chatty, a common pattern is aprovecho para (“I’m taking the chance to…”). It reads professional and keeps the add-on short.
- Aprovecho para enviarle el enlace del informe.
In an academic paragraph
If you want a gentle pivot, en cuanto a (“regarding”) can fit. Use it once, state the point, and keep the paragraph on one clear line of thought.
Pick the best phrase for each situation
This second table pairs common situations with a phrase and a sample line. It’s meant as a lookup you can scan.
| Situation | Best phrase | Sample line |
|---|---|---|
| You remembered one extra detail | Por cierto | Por cierto, el examen es mañana. |
| You’re linking to what they just said | Ya que lo mencionas | Ya que lo mencionas, ¿cómo va tu curso? |
| You want “speaking of that” | A propósito | A propósito, ¿ya viste el mensaje? |
| You want a plain connector in writing | Hablando de eso | Hablando de eso, conviene revisar los datos. |
| You want a small add-on request | De paso | Cuando puedas, revisa esto de paso. |
| You’re steering the chat to a new point | A todo esto | A todo esto, ¿qué decidiste al final? |
| You’re adding a related item mid-task | Ya que estamos | Ya que estamos, envíame el enlace. |
Pronunciation and rhythm tips
Getting the feel right is often about rhythm. These phrases are short, so they can disappear if you rush them.
- Por cierto: two beats, with stress on cier- (POR CIER-to).
- A propósito: stress on pó- (a pro-PÓ-si-to).
- De paso: stress on pa- (de PÁ-so).
- A todo esto: stress on to- and es- (a TÓ-do ES-to).
Try saying the phrase, pause, then say the rest. That pause is what English “by the way” gives you.
A simple practice routine
You don’t need a long drill. You need repetition in small bursts, with sentences you’d use in real life.
- Write four one-line messages you might send today.
- Rewrite each message three ways: one with por cierto, one with a propósito, one with a todo esto.
- Read them out loud and listen for the pause.
- Pick the version that matches your intent and save it as a note for later.
Related references for usage and nuance
If you want definitions and usage notes from Spanish-language references, these pages help:
- RAE dictionary entry for “cierto”
- RAE dictionary entry for “propósito”
- FundéuRAE note on “por cierto”
- Diccionario Panhispánico de Dudas (RAE)
After a few real conversations, the choice stops feeling like a grammar test. You’ll hear your intent first, then pick the Spanish that matches it.