übrigens
/ˈyːbʁɪɡəns/
The English phrase "by the way" is translated into German as übrigens. Wiktionary also lists nebenbei.
Meaning: incidentally (prep_phrase)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| übrigens | /ˈyːbʁɪɡəns/ /ˈyːb(ə)ʁɪŋs/ |
| nebenbei | /neːbm̩ˈbaɪ̯/ /neːbn̩ˈbaɪ̯/ |
übrigens is used conversationally to introduce a piece of information that has just occurred to the speaker during a conversation.
Which one should you use?
While übrigens is used to introduce a new topic in conversation, nebenbei is used to describe doing something simultaneously or as a side activity.
How does it change in a sentence?
übrigens is an adverb and does not change its form based on the gender, case or number of the nouns in the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈyːbʁɪɡəns/
Did you know?
- The word übrigens is built from the adjective übrig, meaning 'left over' or 'remaining'. It literally suggests that the information you are sharing is something that was 'left over' from your previous thoughts.
- In a professional German setting, using übrigens too frequently can make your points seem unimportant or accidental. It can inadvertently signal that the information you are providing is merely a trivial afterthought.
- In some regional dialects, speakers might replace übrigens with the phrase ach ja, which literally means 'oh yes' but serves the exact same function of introducing a forgotten thought.
Examples in context
- Übrigens, woher bist du?By the way, where are you from?This sentence shows how to use übrigens to ask a question.Tatoeba #471836 by Espi, translation #38050 by Zifre
- Ich bin übrigens der Tom.I'm Tom, by the way.This sentence shows how to use übrigens when introducing yourself.Tatoeba #10252038 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9866824 by Hybrid
- Was machst du übrigens so?By the way, what do you do?This sentence shows how to use übrigens to ask someone about their activities.Tatoeba #1973154 by Vortarulo, translation #38074 by CM
- Ich habe gehört, Sie waren letztes Wochenende auf einer Geschäftsreise. Übrigens, haben Sie die Präsentation fertiggestellt?I heard you were on a business trip last weekend. By the way, have you finished the presentation?
- Hast du die Tickets für das Konzert? Ach übrigens, das Konzert wurde auf nächsten Samstag verschoben.Do you have the tickets for the concert? Oh by the way, the concert was moved to next Saturday.
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are talking in a cafe.
- SarahDer Kaffee ist sehr lecker.The coffee is very delicious.
- MaximilianJa, das stimmt.Yes, that's true.
- SarahÜbrigens, wann hast du Geburtstag?By the way, when is your birthday?
- MaximilianMein Geburtstag ist nächsten Montag.My birthday is next Monday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “by the way” translations and entries übrigens, nebenbei, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nebenbei, übrigens, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
