en passant
En passant literally means 'in passing', and in conversation it works like 'by the way': it lets you slip a side comment, question or compliment into the flow without breaking it. Drop it at the start of a remark — 'en passant, j'adore tes chaussures' — and you sound instantly more natural.
Where you'll hear it
Mathis
Salut, en passant, je ne pouvais pas m'empêcher de remarquer ton sourire. Tu viens souvent ici ?
Hi.. by the way, I couldn't help noticing your smile. Do you come here often?
Inès
De temps en temps. C'est sympa ici. Et toi ?
From time to time. It's nice here. What about you?
Mathis
C'est la première fois que je viens. Je cherchais un bon endroit pour briser la glace avec une inconnue. Rires. Je peux t’offrir un verre ?
This is my first time here. I was looking for a good place to break the ice with a stranger. Laughs. Can I buy you a drink?
How it shows up
En passant, tu as vu le nouveau film ?
By the way, have you seen the new film?
Je te le dis en passant, la boulangerie est fermée.
Just mentioning in passing, the bakery is closed.
En passant, merci pour hier.
By the way, thanks for yesterday.
Related expressions
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