Transitioning: 'By the way'
Smooth topic transitions are the invisible glue of natural conversation — they let you move between ideas without jarring your listener.
Iru Helper Note
In real Korean conversations, you rarely stay on one topic the whole time. You need to shift — sometimes gently, sometimes abruptly — from one subject to another. Today you'll learn five expressions for transitioning: from the smooth 그런데 말이 나온 김에 (speaking of which) to the agenda-setting 그건 그렇고 (anyway, setting that aside). These are the phrases that make conversation feel natural and connected rather than scripted.
그건 그렇고, 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
(Anyway, what are you doing on the weekend?)
↪️ What You'll Learn Today
Topic transitions happen constantly in conversation — and in Korean, there's a specific set of expressions for doing them gracefully. Today you'll master five transition phrases that let you shift topics, introduce a new point, or bring up something you almost forgot. Each one has a slightly different feel, giving you the right tool for every conversational moment.
📌 Five Ways to Transition Topics
Expression | Literal Meaning | When to Use |
그런데 | But / By the way | The most versatile — soft contrast or topic shift |
그건 그렇고 | That aside / Anyway | Setting the previous topic aside and moving on |
말이 나온 김에 | Since we're on the topic / Speaking of which | Picking up on something just mentioned |
아, 맞다 | Oh right / Oh! | Suddenly remembering something to bring up |
그러고 보니 | Now that you mention it / Come to think of it | A thought triggered by what was just said |
💡 Key distinction: 그런데 is the smoothest and most common transition. 아, 맞다 is spontaneous — you just remembered something. 그러고 보니 is reflective — something you just heard made you think of something new.
Pattern in use:
- 그건 그렇고, 오늘 점심 먹었어요?
(Anyway, did you have lunch today?)
- 말이 나온 김에, 그 영화 어땠어요?
(Speaking of which, how was that movie?)
- 아, 맞다! 내일 약속이 있었어요.
(Oh right! I had an appointment tomorrow.)
- 그러고 보니, 요즘 카페에 자주 안 갔네요.
(Come to think of it, I haven't been to a café much lately.)
💬 Conversations in Action
Mini-Dialogue 1 — Shifting topics naturally
A: 오늘 날씨 좋네요.
B: 맞아요. 그런데, 내일 약속 아직 괜찮아요?
A: 네, 괜찮아요. 그건 그렇고, 저번에 추천해준 카페 가봤어요?
(A: The weather is nice today.
B: Right. By the way, is our appointment still okay for tomorrow?
A: Yes, it's fine. Anyway, did you go to that café you recommended?)
Mini-Dialogue 2 — Something you just remembered
A: 요즘 드라마 보고 있어요?
B: 네, 요즘 한국 드라마에 빠졌어요. 아, 맞다! 말이 나온 김에 — 그 드라마 봤어요? 진짜 재미있어요.
A: 아직 못 봤는데, 그러고 보니 친구도 추천해줬어요.
(A: Are you watching any dramas lately?
B: Yes, I've been into Korean dramas lately. Oh right! Speaking of which — have you seen that drama? It's really good.
A: I haven't yet, but come to think of it, a friend recommended it to me too.)
🌏 Cultural Note — 화제 전환: How Koreans Change Topics
Korean conversation often moves at a comfortable, unhurried pace — and topic transitions are usually made gently rather than abruptly. The most common transitional word, 그런데, can carry three different jobs simultaneously: (1) contrast, (2) soft topic shift, and (3) hesitation filler. Understanding which role it's playing depends entirely on tone and context.
In social settings:
- 그건 그렇고 is commonly used to conclude a topic and redirect the conversation — it's polite and clear
- 아, 맞다 is very casual and spontaneous — it's used most frequently among friends and shows you're engaged in the conversation
- 말이 나온 김에 shows you're listening closely enough to pick up a thread and build on it — a sign of conversational skill
Smooth topic shifts are a sign of comfort in Korean. If you can change subjects naturally, it signals that you're fluent enough to manage the conversation, not just respond to it.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Use the transition in parentheses to shift from the first topic to the second.
A. From: The weather is nice / To: asking about weekend plans. (그런데)
<summary>Answer
오늘 날씨 진짜 좋네요. 그런데, 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
(The weather is really nice today. By the way, what are you doing on the weekend?)
</summary>
B. From: finishing a topic about work / To: introducing a new topic. (그건 그렇고)
<summary>Answer
일 얘기는 여기까지 해요. 그건 그렇고, 오늘 저녁 같이 먹을래요?
(Let's stop talking about work here. Anyway, do you want to eat together this evening?)
</summary>
C. From: someone mentions a café / To: asking about their café experience. (말이 나온 김에)
<summary>Answer
말이 나온 김에, 요즘 자주 가는 카페 있어요?
(Speaking of which, is there a café you go to often lately?)
</summary>
D. Mid-conversation, you suddenly remember you have something to share. (아, 맞다)
<summary>Answer
아, 맞다! 저번에 말했던 책, 이번에 다 읽었어요.
(Oh right! That book I mentioned last time — I finished it.)
</summary>
E. Something they said triggers a connected thought. (그러고 보니)
<summary>Answer
그러고 보니, 저도 요즘 카페 공부를 잘 안 했네요.
(Come to think of it, I haven't been studying at cafés much lately either.)
</summary>
F. From: a conversation about Korean food / To: asking about a restaurant they mentioned. (말이 나온 김에)
<summary>Answer
말이 나온 김에, 저번에 얘기한 한식당 가봤어요?
(Speaking of which, did you go to that Korean restaurant you mentioned last time?)
</summary>
G. From: discussing a movie / To: asking about their week. (그건 그렇고)
<summary>Answer
영화 얘기는 이쯤 하고, 그건 그렇고 이번 주 어떻게 지냈어요?
(That's enough about the movie — anyway, how was your week?)
</summary>
H. You suddenly remember you need to ask about a meeting. (아, 맞다)
<summary>Answer
아, 맞다! 다음 주 회의 시간 확인했어요?
(Oh right! Did you check the meeting time for next week?)
</summary>
I. Someone mentions they've been busy — it reminds you that you haven't talked in a while. (그러고 보니)
<summary>Answer
그러고 보니, 우리 오랫동안 못 만났네요.
(Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we've met.)
</summary>
J. From: talking about a study tip / To: asking what they're studying now. (그런데)
<summary>Answer
공부 팁 잘 알겠어요. 그런데, 지금 뭐 공부하고 있어요?
(I got the study tip. By the way, what are you studying now?)
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Transition Type |
그런데 | Soft, versatile shift |
그건 그렇고 | Close a topic, open a new one |
말이 나온 김에 | Build on what was just said |
아, 맞다 | Spontaneous memory |
그러고 보니 | Triggered reflection |
Fluency Tip
Try inserting 아, 맞다 or 그러고 보니 the next time you're speaking Korean with someone. They're two of the easiest expressions to use naturally because they require no complex grammar — just a conversational moment where something pops into your head.
</summary>
Want more reps?
The Practice Hub below trains you to use these transitions across a wide variety of real conversational moments — from casual friend talk to professional settings.
📦 Practice Hub — Topic Transitions
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
For each situation, choose the most natural transition.
A. You're in the middle of a conversation about the weather and want to shift to asking about weekend plans.
a) 아, 맞다
b) 그런데
c) 말이 나온 김에
<summary>Answer
b) 그런데 — 날씨 얘기를 하다가 그런데, 주말에 뭐 해요? 그런데 is the smoothest natural topic shift.
B. Your friend just mentioned Korean food. You want to pick up that thread and ask about a specific restaurant.
a) 그건 그렇고
b) 그러고 보니
c) 말이 나온 김에
<summary>Answer
c) 말이 나온 김에 — 말이 나온 김에, 그 삼겹살 집 가봤어요? Picks up on the thread they just introduced.
C. You've finished a long discussion about work. You want to close it and change topics entirely.
a) 그건 그렇고
b) 아, 맞다
c) 그러고 보니
<summary>Answer
a) 그건 그렇고 — 일 얘기는 이만하고, 그건 그렇고 오늘 저녁 뭐 먹을까요? Closes one topic, opens another.
D. Mid-conversation, you suddenly remember you forgot to tell them something important.
a) 그런데
b) 아, 맞다
c) 말이 나온 김에
<summary>Answer
b) 아, 맞다 — 아, 맞다! 그거 얘기하는 거 깜빡했어요. Spontaneous memory in the middle of conversation.
E. Your friend mentions they've been busy lately. It makes you realize you've been busy too.
a) 그러고 보니
b) 그건 그렇고
c) 아, 맞다
<summary>Answer
a) 그러고 보니 — 그러고 보니, 저도 요즘 너무 바쁘네요. Something they said triggered a reflection.
F. You want to gently bring up a different topic without abruptly cutting off what was said.
a) 아, 맞다
b) 그런데
c) 말이 나온 김에
<summary>Answer
b) 그런데 — 그런데, 다른 얘기인데요... 그런데 is the softest and most natural transition.
G. Someone mentions studying Korean. You want to build on that and ask what they're learning.
a) 말이 나온 김에
b) 그건 그렇고
c) 그런데
<summary>Answer
a) 말이 나온 김에 — 말이 나온 김에, 지금 어떤 부분 공부해요? Builds on what was just mentioned.
H. You're about to switch to a new topic after wrapping up the old one.
a) 그러고 보니
b) 그건 그렇고
c) 아, 맞다
<summary>Answer
b) 그건 그렇고 — 그건 그렇고, 새로운 얘기 해도 돼요? Explicitly signals a topic switch.
I. Your friend mentions they went to a café. It suddenly reminds you of a café you've been meaning to try.
a) 그런데
b) 그러고 보니
c) 아, 맞다
<summary>Answer
b) 그러고 보니 OR c) 아, 맞다 — both work. 그러고 보니 shows it was triggered by what they said; 아, 맞다 shows you just remembered it.
J. You want to ask someone something unrelated to your current conversation.
a) 그건 그렇고
b) 말이 나온 김에
c) 그러고 보니
<summary>Answer
a) 그건 그렇고 — 그건 그렇고, 물어보고 싶은 게 있어요. Best for introducing something unrelated.
Quick Reference
Expression | Best For |
그런데 | Soft natural shift |
그건 그렇고 | Close topic, open new one |
말이 나온 김에 | Build on what was just said |
아, 맞다 | Spontaneous memory |
그러고 보니 | Reflection triggered by what was said |
Pitfall
말이 나온 김에 only works when you're actually picking up something from the current conversation. Using it to introduce a completely unrelated topic sounds odd. For unrelated shifts, use 그건 그렇고 or 그런데.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each transition naturally.
A. 날씨 얘기가 나온 김에, 이번 주말에 어디 가고 싶어요?
<summary>Answer
Speaking of the weather, where do you want to go this weekend?
B. 그건 그렇고, 오늘 뭐 먹을 거예요?
<summary>Answer
Anyway, what are you going to eat today?
C. 아, 맞다! 저번에 추천해줬던 카페 가봤어요?
<summary>Answer
Oh right! Did you go to that café you recommended to me last time?
D. 그러고 보니, 우리 올해 한번도 같이 밥 먹은 적이 없네요.
<summary>Answer
Come to think of it, we haven't eaten together even once this year.
E. 그런데, 내일 시간 괜찮아요?
<summary>Answer
By the way, are you free tomorrow?
F. 공부 얘기가 나온 김에, 요즘 어떤 방법으로 공부해요?
<summary>Answer
Speaking of studying, what method are you using to study lately?
G. 그건 그렇고, 새로운 프로젝트는 어때요?
<summary>Answer
Anyway, how is the new project going?
H. 아, 맞다! 다음 주에 한국어 수업 쉬는 날 있어요.
<summary>Answer
Oh right! There's no Korean class next week.
I. 그러고 보니, 벌써 6월이네요.
<summary>Answer
Come to think of it, it's already June.
J. 그런데, 요즘 잘 지내고 있어요?
<summary>Answer
By the way, have you been doing well lately?
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Korean | English |
얘기가 나온 김에 | Speaking of the topic of... |
추천해주다 | To recommend (to someone) |
한번도 ~없다 | Haven't even once... |
방법 | Method / way |
벌써 | Already |
쉬는 날 | Day off / holiday |
Grammar Tip
말이 나온 김에 and 얘기가 나온 김에 are interchangeable. 김에 means "since (the opportunity is here)." It builds on the conversational moment: "since this topic has come up, let me also ask/say..."
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct transition.
A. 일 얘기는 이쯤 하고요, 오늘 저녁 같이 먹어요?
<summary>Answer
그건 그렇고 — 그건 그렇고 오늘 저녁 같이 먹어요?
B. , 맞다! 그 책 아직 가지고 있어요?
<summary>Answer
아 — 아, 맞다! 그 책 아직 가지고 있어요?
C. 한국어 나온 김에, 요즘 어떤 거 공부해요?
<summary>Answer
얘기가 or 말이 — 한국어 얘기가 나온 김에/한국어 말이 나온 김에, 요즘 어떤 거 공부해요?
D. 보니, 우리 만난 지 1년이 됐네요.
<summary>Answer
그러고 — 그러고 보니, 우리 만난 지 1년이 됐네요.
E. 날씨 얘기가 나왔는데, , 이번 휴가 어디 가고 싶어요?
<summary>Answer
그건 그렇고 or 그런데 — 그건 그렇고/그런데, 이번 휴가 어디 가고 싶어요?
F. , 요즘 한국어 공부 어때요?
<summary>Answer
그런데 — 그런데, 요즘 한국어 공부 어때요? Smooth casual topic shift.
G. 여행 얘기가 김에, 제주도 가봤어요?
<summary>Answer
나온 — 여행 얘기가 나온 김에, 제주도 가봤어요?
H. 보니, 요즘 카페에 잘 안 갔네요.
<summary>Answer
그러고 — 그러고 보니, 요즘 카페에 잘 안 갔네요.
I. 일 얘기는 잠깐 멈추고, 점심 뭐 먹을까요?
<summary>Answer
그건 그렇고 — 그건 그렇고 점심 뭐 먹을까요?
J. , 내일 같이 공부할래요?
<summary>Answer
그런데 or 그건 그렇고 — 그런데/그건 그렇고, 내일 같이 공부할래요?
Sentence Starters
Expression | Followed By |
그런데 | New question or topic |
그건 그렇고 | Completely new subject |
[topic] 말이/얘기가 나온 김에 | Related question |
아, 맞다 | Something you just remembered |
그러고 보니 | A reflection/thought triggered now |
Production Tip
그건 그렇고 literally means "that aside" — it's polite but clear. You're not dismissing what was said, just signaling that the topic has reached a natural pause. Use it whenever you feel like the conversation has reached a comfortable stopping point on a subject.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Complete B's transition naturally.
A. A: 오늘 날씨 진짜 좋다. B: 맞아요.
<summary>Answer
맞아요. 그런데, 이번 주말에 어디 가고 싶어요?
(You're right. By the way, where do you want to go this weekend?)
B. A: 요즘 한국어 공부 열심히 하고 있어요. B:
<summary>Answer
정말요? 말이 나온 김에, 어떤 방법으로 공부해요?
(Really? Speaking of which, what method are you using to study?)
C. A: 일은 요즘 어때요? B: 바쁘긴 한데 재밌어요. 그건 그렇고,
<summary>Answer
바쁘긴 한데 재밌어요. 그건 그렇고, 오늘 저녁 뭐 할 거예요?
(It's busy but fun. Anyway, what are you doing this evening?)
D. A: 그 드라마 봤어요? B: 아직요.
<summary>Answer
아직요. 그러고 보니, 요즘 드라마를 별로 못 봤네요.
(Not yet. Come to think of it, I haven't watched much drama lately.)
E. A: 오늘 회의 어땠어요? B: 오래 걸렸는데 잘 끝났어요. 그건 그렇고,
<summary>Answer
오래 걸렸는데 잘 끝났어요. 그건 그렇고, 점심 같이 먹을래요?
(It took a long time but ended well. Anyway, want to eat lunch together?)
F. A: 한국 여행 계획 있어요? B: 있어요! 아, 맞다!
<summary>Answer
있어요! 아, 맞다! 전에 말했던 서울 카페 리스트 찾았어요?
(Yes I do! Oh right! Did you find that Seoul café list you mentioned before?)
G. A: 요즘 카페 자주 가요? B: 네.
<summary>Answer
네. 그러고 보니, 우리 같이 카페 간 게 오래됐네요.
(Yes. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since we went to a café together.)
H. A: 한국 음식 좋아해요? B: 너무 좋아요.
<summary>Answer
너무 좋아요. 말이 나온 김에, 좋아하는 한국 음식이 뭐예요?
(I love it. Speaking of which, what's your favorite Korean food?)
I. A: 이번 주 어떻게 보냈어요? B: 바빴어요. 그런데,
<summary>Answer
바빴어요. 그런데, 다음 주에는 시간 좀 있어요?
(I was busy. By the way, do you have some time next week?)
J. A: 저번에 추천해준 식당 가봤어요? B:
<summary>Answer
아직 못 갔어요. 그러고 보니, 꼭 가봐야겠다는 생각은 계속 하고 있어요.
(I haven't been yet. Come to think of it, I keep thinking I really should go.)
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Meaning |
리스트 | List |
계획이 있다 | To have plans |
오래됐다 | It's been a long time |
꼭 가봐야겠다 | I really should go |
오래 걸리다 | To take a long time |
Conversation Tip
The most natural conversation flow in Korean often follows this pattern: Point A → 그런데 → Point B → 말이 나온 김에 → deeper question on B. Practicing this flow with a partner will make your transitions feel automatic rather than deliberate.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Build a short conversation using transitions from this lesson.
A. Start a conversation about the weather, then transition to weekend plans.
<summary>Sample Answer
오늘 날씨 너무 좋네요. 그런데, 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
(The weather is so nice today. By the way, what are you doing this weekend?)
B. Mention you've been studying Korean, then ask your conversation partner what they're learning.
<summary>Sample Answer
저는 요즘 한국어 말하기 연습을 많이 하고 있어요. 말이 나온 김에, 지금 어떤 부분 공부해요?
(I've been practicing speaking Korean a lot lately. Speaking of which, what part are you studying now?)
C. Close a topic about work and open a new one about food.
<summary>Sample Answer
일 얘기는 이쯤 하고요, 그건 그렇고 오늘 저녁 뭐 먹을까요?
(Let's stop talking about work here — anyway, what should we eat tonight?)
D. Suddenly remember something mid-conversation and bring it up.
<summary>Sample Answer
아, 맞다! 저번에 추천해준 책 — 아직 읽고 있어요. 너무 재미있어요!
(Oh right! That book you recommended last time — I'm still reading it. It's so good!)
E. Your friend mentions they're tired. Let it trigger a reflection about your own week.
<summary>Sample Answer
그러고 보니, 저도 이번 주 정말 많이 쉬지 못했네요.
(Come to think of it, I really haven't rested much this week either.)
F. Have a 4-exchange mini-conversation that uses at least 3 different transition expressions.
<summary>Sample Answer
A: 오늘 날씨 좋다. B: 맞아요. 그런데, 이번 주말에 계획 있어요? A: 없어요. 그건 그렇고, 저번에 얘기한 카페 가봤어요? B: 아직요. 아, 맞다! 거기 새로운 메뉴 생겼대요!
(A: The weather is nice today. B: Right. By the way, do you have plans this weekend? A: No. Anyway, did you go to that café we talked about last time? B: Not yet. Oh right! I heard they have a new menu there!)
G. Mention something that reminds you of a person you haven't talked to in a while.
<summary>Sample Answer
그러고 보니, 민준 씨한테 연락을 오래 안 했네요. 잘 지내고 있는지 궁금해요.
(Come to think of it, I haven't contacted Minjun in a long time. I wonder how they're doing.)
H. Bring up something a friend mentioned last week using 말이 나온 김에.
<summary>Sample Answer
저번에 제주도 얘기 했잖아요. 말이 나온 김에, 언제 같이 여행 갈까요?
(We talked about Jeju Island last time, right. Speaking of which, when should we travel there together?)
I. Close a long explanation with 그건 그렇고 and open a lighter topic.
<summary>Sample Answer
설명이 길었네요. 그건 그렇고, 오늘 커피 마셨어요?
(That was a long explanation. Anyway, did you have coffee today?)
J. Use 아, 맞다 to bring up something you almost forgot to say.
<summary>Sample Answer
아, 맞다! 다음 주에 한국어 수업이 없대요. 미리 알아뒀어요?
(Oh right! Apparently there's no Korean class next week. Did you already know?)
Sentence Starters
Transition | Use For |
그런데 | Soft pivot to new topic |
그건 그렇고 | Deliberate topic switch |
말이 나온 김에 | Thread-pulling from what was said |
아, 맞다 | Remembered something mid-chat |
그러고 보니 | Something triggered a new thought |
Speaking Challenge
The next time you have a real Korean conversation, try to use at least two transition expressions naturally. Start with 그런데 (safest) and 아, 맞다 (most casual). Once those feel natural, add 말이 나온 김에 — it's the one that will impress native speakers most.
말은 흘러야 자연스러워요. ✨
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