German word

übrigens

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈyːbʁɪgəns/

Meaning

  • adverbby the way

Example

Übrigens habe ich morgen frei.

By the way, I have tomorrow off.

Illustration for übrigens (by the way)

More examples

Übrigens, danke für deine Hilfe.

By the way, thanks for your help.

Core concept

A brief extra detail attached to the current topic without replacing it.

Common phrases

  • Ach, übrigens,

    Oh, by the way,

  • Übrigens noch etwas

    By the way, one more thing

Similar words

außerdem: Adds another point or piece of information to support the main statement.
zudem: Adds a further point to expand or reinforce the discussion.
nebenbei: Adds a short, casual detail without making it the main topic.

Definition in German

übrigens ist ein Adverb, das eine ergänzende oder beiläufige Information zum Gesagten einleitet.

Word origin

The adverb übrigens comes from an older genitive-based form of übrig, whose original sense was roughly concerning what remains.

Usage tips

  • Übrigens commonly introduces a conversational aside and can appear after the verb or later in the sentence, not only at the beginning.

Other meanings

  • come to think of itadverb
  • besidesadverb

Related words

  • übrigremainingadjective
  • das Übrigethe restnoun

Word lists with this word