Structure
そういえば + Phrase
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About そういえば
そういえば is a hypothetical structure in Japanese consisting of the adverb そう 'like that', and the ば conjunctive form of the う-Verb 言う 'to say'. Common translations include 'speaking of which', 'by the way', and 'come to think of it'. These translations are actually very close to the literal translation of 'if saying that' in that they all refer back to the previous statement as being a trigger for bringing up a topic that the speaker wants to discuss.
そういえば will primarily appear at the beginning of sentences, before the speaker will then bring up the topic that they were reminded of.
そういえば will primarily appear at the beginning of sentences, before the speaker will then bring up the topic that they were reminded of.
- そういえば、この前借りた本読み終わったよ!めちゃくちゃ面白かった!By the way, I finished reading the book I borrowed from you the other day! It was super interesting!
- そういえば、大家さんに家賃振り込んでくれた?Speaking of which, did you transfer the rent to the landlord for me?
- そういえば、さっき駅でお母さんの友達に会ったよ。よろしくだって。Speaking of which, I met your friend at the station. She told me to tell you she said hi.
Caution - Due to そういえば refering to something that has already been brought up over the course of a conversation, it will not be used to move on to completely unrelated topics in the same way that phrases like 'by the way' are used in English.
- 中田さん:今度バッティングセンターに行こ!
高橋さん:そういえば、藤田さんと伊藤くんが付き合い始めたって聞いた?Tanaka-san: Let's go to the batting cage next time!
Takahashi-san: Speaking of which, did you hear that Fujita-san and Ito-kun has started dating? (Unnatural Japanese)
Fun-fact - そういえば is very similar in the way it is used to といえば, with そう simply replacing the direct quotation of と. Many textbooks will list both as a single grammar point, despite そういえば itself basically being a set phrase.
Synonyms
Examples
そういえば、昨夜は何時に家に帰ったの?
Speaking of which, what time did you get home last night?
そういえば、今日は母の日だ。
Come to think of it, it is Mother's Day today.
そういえば、昨日の卒業式はどうだった?
Speaking of which, how was the graduation ceremony yesterday?
そういえば、着替え持ってきてくれた?
Speaking of which, did you bring the change of clothes for me?
そういえば、今度のイベントで機関車に乗れるみたいですよ。
Speaking of which, it looks like you can ride a locomotive at the upcoming event!
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Three expressions in Japanese for “by the way”
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Tobira
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