por cierto/a propósito
By the Way
Use 'por cierto' or 'a propósito' to say 'by the way' when you want to introduce a comment or question that is related to the current topic of conversation.
How It Works
'Por cierto' and 'a propósito' are essential discourse markers for creating natural, flowing conversation in Spanish. They function like 'by the way,' 'incidentally,' or 'speaking of which' in English.
Key Functions & Nuances:
- Introducing a Side Topic: Their main use is to introduce a new piece of information that is connected, but not central, to the main conversation. They are typically placed at the beginning of a sentence and followed by a comma.
Por cierto, ¿recibiste mi correo electrónico? (By the way, did you get my email?) - 'A propósito' vs. 'Por cierto': They are often interchangeable. However, 'a propósito' can feel slightly more connected to the immediate topic. It's the root of the phrase 'a propósito de...' which means 'regarding...' or 'speaking of...'.
—Hablé con María ayer. —¡A propósito! ¿Cómo está ella? (—I spoke with María yesterday. —Speaking of which! How is she?) - 'A propósito de...': This more explicit form directly links the new information to a specific noun or topic just mentioned. It's a conversational equivalent to more formal phrases like en cuanto a.
A propósito de tu viaje, ¿ya compraste los boletos? (Regarding your trip, have you bought the tickets yet?) - Alternative Meaning of 'Por cierto': In some contexts, 'por cierto' can also mean 'certainly' or 'indeed,' used to affirm or emphasize a statement. This is less common but important to recognize.
Es un actor excelente y, por cierto, muy amable. (He is an excellent actor and, certainly, very kind.)
These phrases are crucial for advanced conversational skills, allowing you to manage the flow of topics smoothly.
On Purpose
A propósito also means 'deliberately': Rompí el vaso a propósito. (I broke the glass on purpose.) This adverbial use is not limited to position after the verb; context and phrasing distinguish it from an aside. ¡A propósito! Rompí el vaso is grammatical but ordinarily introduces 'By the way! I broke the glass', rather than saying the break was deliberate.
Examples (5)
- Vamos al cine esta noche. Por cierto, ¿viste la nueva película de Almodóvar?
We're going to the movies tonight. By the way, did you see the new Almodóvar film?
Word by Word: We go to the movies this night. By the way, did you see the new movie of Almodóvar?
- Necesito comprar leche y pan. ¡A propósito! No te olvides de comprar café también.
I need to buy milk and bread. By the way! Don't forget to buy coffee too.
Word by Word: I need to buy milk and bread. By the way! Don't you forget to buy coffee also.
- A propósito de la reunión, el jefe quiere que preparemos una presentación.
Regarding the meeting, the boss wants us to prepare a presentation.
Word by Word: Regarding of the meeting, the boss wants that we prepare a presentation.
- Tu hermano me llamó ayer. Me dijo, por cierto, que te mandara saludos.
Your brother called me yesterday. He told me, by the way, to say hello to you.
Word by Word: Your brother called me yesterday. He told me, by the way, that I should send you greetings.
- El restaurante es elegante y, por cierto, nada caro.
The restaurant is elegant and, indeed, not expensive at all.
Word by Word: The restaurant is elegant and, certainly, nothing expensive.
Here, 'por cierto' is used to mean 'indeed' or 'certainly,' confirming and adding emphasis to the fact that the elegant restaurant is not expensive.
Common Mistakes
Using an aside marker when the intended relation is a consequence.
Estudié mucho, por cierto aprobé el examen.Estudié mucho; por lo tanto, aprobé el examen.For 'therefore', use por lo tanto or así que, with appropriate punctuation. Por cierto can introduce passing the exam as an aside, but it does not itself mean 'therefore'.
Using an aside reading when you mean 'deliberately'.
¡A propósito! Rompí el vaso.Rompí el vaso a propósito.Both examples are grammatical. The detached exclamation naturally means 'By the way'; the second explicitly says the glass was broken deliberately. Deliberate a propósito can appear in other sentence positions too: meaning does not depend only on being after the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'por cierto' and 'a propósito', learners should be familiar with basic Spanish prepositions and how they form fixed phrases used to shift topics or add information in conversation.
Related Patterns
- sin embargo/no obstanteHowever/Nevertheless
Like 'por cierto', these are discourse markers that connect ideas. However, sin embargo introduces a contrast ('however'), while 'por cierto' introduces a related afterthought ('by the way').
Level 5 - por lo tanto/por consiguiente/en consecuenciaConsequence Connectors
These connectors show a logical result or consequence ('therefore'). It's important to distinguish this function from 'por cierto', which introduces a tangential, not consequential, idea.
Level 5 - en cuanto a/respecto a/con respecto aRegarding/Concerning
These phrases mean 'regarding' or 'with respect to' and are used to formally introduce or shift to a specific topic. 'A propósito de...' is a very similar and slightly more conversational equivalent.
Level 5 - es decir/o seaThat Is (Reformulation)
Es decir/o sea commonly clarify or reformulate, while por cierto introduces an aside. O sea que can also introduce an inference, so reformulation is not its only function.
Level 5
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Practice por cierto/a propósito in Bubblegum
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