顺便说一下
shùnbiàn shuō yíxià
The English phrase "btw" can be translated into Chinese as 顺便说一下 (shùnbiàn shuō yíxià).
The phrase is used to introduce a new topic or additional information that is not the main point of the conversation, serving as an English equivalent to "By the way" or "Incidentally".
What does it mean word for word?
The component 顺便 (shùnbiàn) literally means "conveniently" or "while doing something else," which expresses the idea of the information being mentioned in passing or as an incidental action.
How do you pronounce it?
shùnbiàn shuō yíxià
Did you know?
- The word 顺 (shùn) can also mean 'to obey' or 'to follow', so the phrase carries a hidden sense of 'following the flow' of the current conversation.
- The word 顺便 (shùnbiàn) is often used as a polite request for a small favor, such as asking someone to buy a drink while they are already at the store.
- On Chinese social media, people sometimes use the English 'btw' directly in a Chinese sentence, as many bilingual internet users find it faster than typing the characters.
Examples in context
- 我忘记告诉你，顺便说一下，下周我们有一个聚会。I forgot to tell you. By the way, we have a gathering next week.
- 顺便说一下，我明天不去公司。Shùnbiàn shuō yīxià, wǒ míngtiān bù qù gōngsī.By the way, I am not going to the office tomorrow.
- 顺便说一下，你的手机在桌子上。Shùnbiàn shuō yīxià, nǐ de shǒujī zài zhuōzi shàng.By the way, your phone is on the table.
- 顺便说一下，今天天气很热。Shùnbiàn shuō yīxià, jīntiān tiānqì hěn rè.By the way, the weather is very hot today.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their weekend plans.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们周六去电影院吧。wǒmen zhōuliù qù diànyǐngyuàn ba.Let's go to the cinema on Saturday.
- 俊杰 Junjie好主意，我想看那部新电影。hǎo zhǔyì, wǒ xiǎng kàn nà bù xīn diànyǐng.Good idea, I want to see that new movie.
- 佳怡 Jiayi顺便说一下，佳怡想一起去。shùnbiàn shuō yīxià, Jiāyí xiǎng yīqǐ qù.By the way, Jiayi wants to come along.
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，人越多越热闹。méi wèntí, rén yuè duō yuè rènào.No problem, the more the merrier.
