话说回来
Use this when you want to pivot a discussion — 'but then again' or 'on the other hand.' It's a conversational signal that you're about to either return to an earlier point you set aside, or introduce a counter-consideration to balance what you just said. Lives at the start of a clause, often after a comma or 不过. Common in casual conversation, podcasts, and any reflective monologue.
Structure
[SOMETHING SAID], 话说回来, [PIVOT/COUNTERPOINT]
huà shuō huílai
How to Think About It
Literally 'speaking, turn it back.' Think of it as the conversational version of putting the steering wheel into a slight turn — you've been going one direction, now you're heading slightly back. Unlike 但是 (a hard 'but'), 话说回来 is soft and reflective; the speaker isn't contradicting themselves, they're acknowledging another angle. Drop it and the pivot still works, but you lose the 'come to think of it' flavor.
Examples
这份工作很累。话说回来, 工资也不错。
Zhè fèn gōngzuò hěn lèi. Huà shuō huílai, gōngzī yě bú cuò.
This job is tiring. But then again, the pay is good.
我很想去旅游。话说回来, 现在工作太忙了。
Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù lǚyóu. Huà shuō huílai, xiànzài gōngzuò tài máng le.
I really want to travel. Then again, work is too busy right now.
他不太爱说话。话说回来, 这种人往往更可靠。
Tā bú tài ài shuōhuà. Huà shuō huílai, zhè zhǒng rén wǎngwǎng gèng kěkào.
He doesn't talk much. But then again, that kind of person is often more reliable.
Common Mistake
Learners use 话说回来 like 但是 to reverse a claim, treating it as just another 'but.' It's not — 话说回来 is for ADDING a counterbalancing thought, often a concession to the other side. Using it to flatly contradict feels off.
我喜欢这个城市。话说回来, 我不喜欢这个城市。
我喜欢这个城市。话说回来, 冬天确实有点冷。
Don't Confuse With
不过
A simple 'however' for direct contrast. 话说回来 specifically signals 'coming back to / on the other hand' — a reflective pivot, not a contradiction.
另一方面
'On the other hand' — more structured, more written. Use 另一方面 in essays; 话说回来 in spoken reflection.
其实
'Actually' — corrects or reveals the real situation. 话说回来 doesn't claim a hidden truth; it just adds perspective.
Practice
这次旅行很贵, ____ 说回来, 风景真的很美。
Show answer
话
话说 ____ 来, 他说的也有道理。
Show answer
回
Arrange: 回来 / 话说 / 我也不能怪他 / ,
Show answer
话说回来, 我也不能怪他。
Translate: The weather is hot. Then again, summer is supposed to be hot.
Show answer
天气很热。话说回来, 夏天本来就该热。
Make a complaint, then add a balancing thought with 话说回来.
Show answer
学中文真的很难。话说回来, 难也是学的乐趣之一。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: