By the Way
Meaning: Incidentally; as an aside
Introduces additional, often tangentially related information. Can also introduce the main point someone has been building up to.
Examples
- By the way, did you hear about the party? 顺便说一下，你听说那个派对了吗？Por cierto, ¿te enteraste de la fiesta?ところで、パーティーのこと聞いた？그런데, 파티 얘기 들었어?
- I finished the report. Oh, by the way, I'm taking Friday off. 我把报告做完了。哦，对了，我周五请假。Terminé el informe. Ah, por cierto, me tomo el viernes libre.レポート終わったよ。あ、ところで、金曜休むね。보고서 끝냈어. 아, 그런데 금요일에 쉴 거야.
- By the way, I love you. 顺便说一下，我爱你。Por cierto, te quiero.ところで、愛してる。그런데, 사랑해.
- BTW, the meeting is at 3.顺便说一下，会议是3点。Por cierto, la reunión es a las 3.ちなみに、会議は3時だよ。참고로, 회의 3시야.
Pronunciation
/baɪ ðə weɪ/
Usage Guide
Context: asides, additional info, conversation
Tone: casual, adding
✓ Do Say
- By the way...顺便说一下…Por cierto...ところで…그런데…
- Oh, by the way...哦，对了…Ah, por cierto...あ、ところで…아, 참고로…
- BTW...顺便…Por cierto...ちなみに…참고로…
✗ Don't Say
- Can be overused可能被过度使用Puede usarse en exceso使いすぎることがある남용될 수 있음
- Sometimes buries important information有时会把重要信息埋没A veces entierra información importante重要な情報を埋もれさせることがある중요한 정보를 묻어버리는 경우가 있음
Common Mistakes
- BTW = text abbreviation
- Sometimes used to soften introducing the main point
Origin & History
Traditional English phrase meaning 'alongside the main path'—information given as you pass by the main topic. Now introduces tangents or important additions.
Etymology: By (alongside) the way (main path of conversation)
First recorded: Traditional English
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Pop culture: Extremely common phrase; BTW standard in texting
Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking countries.
Variations
Related Phrases
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