Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“Speaking of which,” “Now that you mention it,” “That reminds me.”
🎯 Primary Function
To recall something previously forgotten or to shift the topic of conversation naturally based on something just said or recalled. It often indicates a sudden realization or remembrance.
📋 Grammar Structure
そう言えば is a fixed phrase and does not conjugate. It is typically followed by a clause introducing the remembered or new topic.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used, but generally more common in informal to semi-formal settings. In very formal settings, more direct transitions might be preferred.
Informal Situations
Very common and natural.
Written Language
Less common in formal writing, but found in casual written communication (e.g., emails, messages, personal blogs).
Spoken Language
Extremely common and versatile.
💡 Common Applications
Recalling something forgotten.
Used when a current conversation or observation suddenly triggers a memory of something relevant but previously forgotten.
Example: 友達: 「昨日、駅前で面白いものを見たよ。」自分: 「そう言えば、昨日君に渡すものがあったんだ！忘れてたよ。」 (Friend: “I saw something interesting in front of the station yesterday.” Me: “Speaking of which, I had something to give you yesterday! I completely forgot!”)
Gently shifting the topic.
Allows for a smooth transition to a new, often related, topic without an abrupt change.
Example: 「そう言えば、来週の会議のことなんだけど…」 (“Speaking of which, about next week’s meeting…”)
Reacting to a prior statement.
Used when someone says something that triggers a related thought or question in your mind.
Example: 相手: 「最近、運動不足でね。」自分: 「そう言えば、新しいジムができたらしいよ。」 (Other person: “I haven’t been getting enough exercise lately.” Me: “Speaking of which, I heard a new gym opened.”)
Frequency
High in daily spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
Intermediate (N3-N2) to Advanced (N2). The basic meaning is straightforward, but its nuanced application for smooth conversation requires practice.
Example Sentences
友達と話していて、そう言えば、先週借りた本を返し忘れてた！
While talking with my friend, it reminded me, speaking of which, I forgot to return the book I borrowed last week!
そう言えば、来週のパーティー、何時に集合だっけ？
Speaking of which, what time are we meeting for next week’s party?
昨日、田中さんに会ったんだ。そう言えば、田中さんって最近どうしてる？
I saw Mr. Tanaka yesterday. Speaking of which, how has Mr. Tanaka been doing lately?
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Topic Introduction.
It smoothly introduces a new topic that just came to mind, often triggered by the current conversation, but might not be directly related.
Example: 会話が途切れた時：「そう言えば、週末は何するの？」 (When conversation pauses: “Speaking of which, what are you doing this weekend?”)
Sudden Realization/Remembrance.
Expresses that something just occurred to the speaker, implying it was previously forgotten or hadn’t been thought of until that moment.
Example: 「あ、そう言えば、宿題を家に忘れちゃった！」 (Oh, that reminds me, I forgot my homework at home!)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it like a direct translation of “by the way” (ところで) without a trigger or memory aspect.
✅ Ensure there’s a reason for recalling or shifting the topic, even if subtle.
「そう言えば」 is more specific than 「ところで」. It implies a memory triggered by the current context. If there’s no trigger and you’re just introducing an unrelated topic, 「ところで」 is more appropriate.
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🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally neutral to slightly informal. Can be used in semi-formal settings to soften a topic change.
Social Situations: Highly common in casual conversations among friends, family, and colleagues. It helps maintain conversational flow by showing the speaker is actively listening and connecting ideas.
Regional Variations: The usage is quite standard across Japan, though intonation might vary slightly.
🔍 Subtle Differences
そう言えば vs. ところで
「そう言えば」 implies a thought *triggered* by the current conversation or a sudden memory. 「ところで」 is a more direct, sometimes abrupt, way to change the subject, often to an unrelated topic.
When to use: Use 「そう言えば」 when something reminds you of another thing, or you recall something relevant. Use 「ところで」 when you want to change the topic more directly, perhaps to something completely different.
そう言えば vs. ちなみに
「ちなみに」 means “by the way” or “for your information,” typically adding supplementary or additional, often minor, information related to the current topic. 「そう言えば」 introduces a new, often previously forgotten, main topic.
When to use: Use 「ちなみに」 for supplementary details. Use 「そう言えば」 for a new point or a remembered item.
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📝 Conjugation Notes
Not applicable as it is a fixed phrase.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce そう (sou) with a long ‘o’ sound, いえば (ieba) flows naturally. The ‘ba’ is often slightly softened.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it as “So (that) said, (it reminds me of)…” or “Now that you say that, (it comes to mind)…”
Vocabulary List
借りる
kariru
to borrow
返す
kaesu
to return (something)
忘れる
wasureru
to forget
集合
shūgō
gathering, meeting
会議
kaigi
meeting, conference
運動不足
undō busoku
lack of exercise
突然
suddenly
Kanji List
言
い
say
返
かえ
return
忘
わす
forget
集
しゅう
gather
議
ぎ
deliberation, meeting
運
うん
transport, luck
動
どう
move
不
ふ
un-, not
足
そく
foot, sufficient
突
とつ
thrust, sudden
然
ぜん
like, in such a way
Practice Exercises
友達：「週末、一緒に映画見に行かない？」 あなた：「＿＿＿＿、新しいカフェができたらしいよ。そこに行ってみない？」
ところで
そう言えば
ちなみに
だけど
彼女：「この前話してた新しい仕事、どうなったの？」 あなた：「あ、＿＿＿＿、実はもう決まったんだ！」
だけど
そして
そう言えば
つまり
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