Introduction
One of the most common and useful expressions in Spanish conversation is por cierto, which translates roughly to by the way or speaking of which in English. This phrase serves as a conversational bridge that allows speakers to smoothly transition between topics or to introduce additional information that may have just occurred to them. Understanding how to use por cierto correctly is essential for anyone looking to sound more natural and fluent in Spanish, whether you are chatting with friends, conducting business meetings, or writing formal correspondence. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the grammar rules, usage patterns, and practical examples that will help you master this versatile expression and integrate it seamlessly into your Spanish communication.
What Exactly Is Por Cierto?
Por cierto is an adverbial phrase composed of the preposition por and the adjective cierto, which literally means for certain or by certain. However, its actual function in Spanish conversation is much more nuanced and practical than its literal translation might suggest. The phrase operates as a discourse marker, which means it serves primarily to organize and manage the flow of conversation rather than to convey concrete grammatical information about the sentence itself.
When you use por cierto, you are essentially signaling to your conversation partner that you are about to share something that may be tangentially related to the current topic, or that you have suddenly remembered something relevant that you want to mention. This makes it an invaluable tool for natural, spontaneous conversation in Spanish.
The Basic Grammar Structure of Por Cierto
Unlike many Spanish grammatical constructions, por cierto does not require you to conjugate verbs or adjust its form based on the gender or number of nouns. The phrase remains constant regardless of the grammatical context. This is one of the key advantages of learning to use por cierto effectively, as you do not need to worry about making it agree with the subject of your sentence.
The structure is always: por cierto + comma + the additional information or topic shift. It typically appears at the beginning of a clause or sentence, though it can sometimes appear in the middle or even at the end of a clause for conversational effect. When written, por cierto is almost always followed by a comma to clearly demarcate the shift in conversational direction.
Common Usage Patterns and Contexts
Understanding when to use por cierto is just as important as knowing its grammatical structure. This phrase works best in several specific conversational contexts, each of which will be explored in detail below.
Introducing Remembered Information
One of the most frequent uses of por cierto is when you suddenly remember something relevant to the current conversation and want to share it. For example:
Mi hermano acaba de conseguir un nuevo trabajo en una empresa de tecnología. Por cierto, me preguntaba si tú también estabas interesado en trabajar en ese sector.
(My brother just got a new job at a technology company. By the way, I was wondering if you were also interested in working in that field.)
In this example, the speaker was discussing their brother’s new job and then suddenly remembered to ask about the listener’s career interests. The phrase por cierto serves as the bridge between these two related topics.
Adding Supplementary Information
Another common usage pattern involves providing additional details or context that support or complement what you have just said. For instance:
La película que vimos el fin de pasado fue realmente entretenida. Por cierto, el actor principal también fue el director, lo que fue una sorpresa agradable.
(The movie we watched last weekend was really entertaining. By the way, the lead actor was also the director, which was a pleasant surprise.)
Here, the speaker adds an interesting detail about the film that they had not mentioned in their initial comment. The use of por cierto signals that this information is supplementary rather than central to the main point.
Shifting to a Related Topic
Spanish speakers often use por cierto to make a natural transition between related topics in conversation. This usage is particularly helpful when you want to avoid awkward silences or abrupt subject changes:
Estuve en Madrid el mes pasado visitando museos y galerías de arte. Por cierto, ¿has pensado alguna vez en visitar España?
(I was in Madrid last month visiting museums and art galleries. Speaking of which, have you ever thought about visiting Spain?)
The phrase por cierto creates a logical connection between the speaker’s personal experience in Spain and their question about the listener’s potential interest in the country.
Grammatical Position and Word Order
While por cierto most commonly appears at the beginning of a clause, its placement is quite flexible. Understanding the different positions where you can place this phrase will help you use it more naturally in various conversational contexts.
At the Beginning of a Clause
The most standard and frequently used position for por cierto is at the very beginning of a new clause or sentence. This placement clearly marks the transition to new information:
Tengo que terminar este proyecto para mañana. Por cierto, ¿tienes algún consejo útil para hacerlo más rápido?
(I have to finish this project by tomorrow. By the way, do you have any useful advice for doing it faster?)
In the Middle of a Clause
Less commonly, por cierto can appear in the middle of a clause for stylistic effect, though this is more typical in written Spanish or formal settings than in everyday speech:
Mi jefa, por cierto, me mencionó que habrá cambios en el departamento pronto.
(My boss, by the way, mentioned to me that there will be changes in the department soon.)
When placed in the middle of a clause, por cierto is typically set off by commas on both sides to maintain clarity.
At the End of a Clause
While less common, por cierto can occasionally appear at the end of a clause, usually for emphasis or to add a conversational, almost afterthought quality to your statement:
He decidido cambiar mi carrera profesional, por cierto.
(I have decided to change my professional career, by the way.)
Por Cierto Versus Other Transitional Phrases
Spanish has several other transitional phrases that serve similar functions to por cierto, and understanding the subtle differences between them will help you choose the most appropriate expression for each situation.
Por Cierto Versus A Propósito
Both por cierto and a propósito can mean by the way in English, but they have slightly different connotations. A propósito is more commonly used when you are introducing something that is deliberately relevant or intentionally related to the current topic. Por cierto, on the other hand, suggests something that you have just thought of or remembered. When you say a propósito, there is often an implication that you had been planning to mention this information.
Por Cierto Versus Bueno or Buena
Bueno (or buena for feminine agreement) is another common transitional expression that Spanish speakers use frequently. However, bueno is more general in nature and can indicate agreement, acceptance, or a simple filler before continuing with a statement. Por cierto is more specific in its function as a connector between related pieces of information.
Por Cierto Versus Dicho Sea De Paso
The phrase dicho sea de paso translates to incidentally or by the way and serves a similar function to por cierto. However, dicho sea de paso is typically more formal and is more commonly found in written Spanish or formal spoken contexts. Por cierto is generally more casual and appropriate for everyday conversation.
Practical Examples in Real Conversational Contexts
To further cement your understanding of how to use por cierto effectively, let us examine several realistic conversational scenarios:
Example One: Casual Conversation Among Friends
Ana: Finalmente vi la serie que me recomendaste. ¡Fue excelente! Los personajes eran muy bien desarrollados.
Carlos: ¡Me alegra mucho que te haya gustado! Por cierto, ¿ya viste el final de la última temporada?
(Ana: I finally watched the series you recommended. It was excellent! The characters were very well developed.
Carlos: I am really glad you liked it! By the way, have you already seen the ending of the last season?)
Example Two: Professional or Academic Setting
Professor García: El próximo examen cubrirá los primeros cinco capítulos del libro. Por cierto, no olviden que también tendrán que escribir un ensayo sobre los temas principales.
(Professor García: The next exam will cover the first five chapters of the book. By the way, do not forget that you will also have to write an essay about the main topics.)
Example Three: Shopping or Customer Service
Vendedor: Estos zapatos están en oferta esta semana. Por cierto, también tenemos una venta especial en bolsos si estás interesado.
(Salesperson: These shoes are on sale this week. Speaking of which, we also have a special sale on bags if you are interested.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Por Cierto
Even as you gain confidence with por cierto, there are a few common pitfalls that learners often encounter:
First, do not change the form of por cierto based on grammatical gender or number. It always remains por cierto, regardless of the subject of your sentence.
Second, remember that por cierto functions as a conversational marker, not as a verb or a complete thought. You cannot use it as a standalone statement without additional context or information following it.
Third, be mindful of register. While por cierto is appropriate in casual conversation, in very formal or academic writing, you might prefer alternatives like dicho sea de paso or a propósito.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of por cierto is a valuable step in your Spanish language learning journey. This versatile discourse marker allows you to navigate conversations more naturally, introduce supplementary information smoothly, and create logical transitions between related topics. Whether you are speaking casually with friends or in more formal settings, understanding when and how to use por cierto will significantly enhance your fluency and help you sound more like a native Spanish speaker. Practice using this phrase in your daily conversations and written communications, and you will quickly find it becoming an indispensable part of your Spanish vocabulary and communication toolkit.
