How to Say “Back to what I was saying” in Spanish

Introduction

Have you ever been in the middle of telling a story in Spanish when someone interrupted you, and you struggled to get back on track? Learning how to smoothly redirect a conversation back to your original point is an essential skill for natural Spanish communication. This guide will teach you multiple ways to say back to what I was saying in Spanish, helping you navigate conversations like a native speaker.

The Most Common Translation: Volviendo a lo que decía

The most widely used phrase for back to what I was saying in Spanish is volviendo a lo que decía. This expression literally translates to returning to what I was saying and works perfectly in both formal and informal contexts across all Spanish-speaking regions.

The beauty of volviendo a lo que decía lies in its versatility. You can use it in business meetings, casual conversations with friends, or when speaking with family members. The phrase signals to your listeners that you want to resume your previous train of thought without sounding rude or abrupt.

Example in conversation:
Person A: Yesterday I went to the market and—
Person B: Oh, did you see María there?
Person A: No, I didn’t. But volviendo a lo que decía, I found the most amazing fresh tomatoes.

Alternative Expressions for Redirecting Conversation

Como iba diciendo

Another excellent option is como iba diciendo, which translates to as I was saying. This phrase is slightly more casual than volviendo a lo que decía and flows naturally in everyday speech. Native speakers frequently use como iba diciendo when they want to pick up where they left off without making a big deal about the interruption.

This expression works particularly well when the interruption was brief or when you want to maintain a conversational, relaxed tone. It’s perfect for storytelling situations where you don’t want to lose momentum.

Bueno, como te decía

For a more informal approach, try bueno, como te decía, meaning well, as I was telling you. The addition of bueno at the beginning adds a casual, friendly tone that works beautifully in conversations with people you know well. This phrase is common throughout Latin America and Spain in informal settings.

The pronoun te makes this expression specifically for addressing one person informally. If you’re speaking to someone formally or to a group, you would adjust accordingly to como le decía or como les decía.

Retomando el tema

When you want to sound more formal or professional, retomando el tema serves as an excellent choice. This phrase means taking up the topic again and is particularly appropriate for business contexts, presentations, or academic discussions. Retomando el tema demonstrates sophistication and professionalism while clearly signaling your intention to return to the main subject.

Regional Variations and Preferences

Spanish is spoken across numerous countries, and regional preferences can influence which phrases sound most natural. In Spain, people commonly use volviendo a lo que decía and como iba diciendo interchangeably. These expressions feel neutral and appropriate for virtually any situation.

In Mexico and Central America, bueno, como te decía enjoys particular popularity in casual conversations. The use of bueno as a conversation filler is extremely common in these regions, making this phrase feel especially natural and friendly.

South American countries, particularly Argentina and Chile, frequently employ volviendo al tema (returning to the topic) as a slightly shorter alternative. This phrase carries the same meaning but with a more direct approach that matches the communication style common in these countries.

Understanding the Grammar Behind These Phrases

Examining the grammatical structure of these expressions helps you understand how to use them correctly and even create your own variations. The phrase volviendo a lo que decía uses the gerund form volviendo (returning), which creates a smooth transition back to your previous point.

The imperfect tense in decía (I was saying) and iba diciendo (I was saying, literally I was going saying) indicates an ongoing action in the past that was interrupted. This grammatical choice perfectly captures the situation of returning to an incomplete thought.

When you use como te decía, you’re employing the imperfect tense decía to reference something you were in the process of explaining. The word como (as/like) introduces the comparison or connection back to your previous statement.

Practical Tips for Natural Usage

Reading Body Language and Timing

Knowing when to redirect a conversation requires cultural awareness. In Spanish-speaking cultures, interruptions during conversations happen naturally and aren’t necessarily considered rude. However, there’s an art to reclaiming the floor without seeming impolite.

Wait for a natural pause in the conversation before using your chosen phrase. Jumping in too abruptly might seem aggressive, while waiting too long might mean losing your chance to continue your story. Native speakers often use subtle non-verbal cues like a slight hand gesture or a change in posture to signal their intention to resume speaking.

Combining Phrases with Transition Words

You can make your redirections even smoother by combining these phrases with other transition words. For example, bueno, entonces, volviendo a lo que decía (well, then, back to what I was saying) sounds very natural and gives listeners a clear signal that you’re resuming your original point.

Adding pero (but) before your phrase can work when you want to acknowledge the interruption while still returning to your topic: Sí, pero como iba diciendo (Yes, but as I was saying). This approach shows you heard the interruption without letting it derail your narrative completely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One frequent error learners make is directly translating the English phrase word-for-word. Saying something like atrás a lo que estaba diciendo sounds unnatural and confusing to native speakers. Stick with the established phrases that Spanish speakers actually use.

Another mistake involves using the wrong verb tense. Don’t say volviendo a lo que digo (returning to what I say) when you mean to reference something you were previously saying. The imperfect tense decía is essential for conveying the right meaning.

Some learners overuse these phrases, inserting them after every minor interruption or tangent. In natural conversation, you don’t need to formally redirect every single time. Save these expressions for moments when you genuinely need to bridge back to an important point you were making.

Practice Scenarios for Mastery

Imagine you’re telling your Spanish-speaking friend about your weekend trip. You mention visiting a beautiful park when they interrupt to ask about the weather. You respond: Hacía buen tiempo, sí. Pero como iba diciendo, el parque tenía unos árboles increíbles. (The weather was nice, yes. But as I was saying, the park had incredible trees.)

In a business meeting, you’re presenting quarterly results when a colleague asks an off-topic question. You handle it professionally: Esa es una buena pregunta para discutir después. Retomando el tema, nuestras ventas aumentaron un 15 por ciento. (That’s a good question to discuss later. Getting back to the topic, our sales increased by 15 percent.)

During a family dinner, multiple conversations overlap, and you want to finish your story about a recent experience. You might say: Bueno, como les decía antes de que sonara el teléfono, la película me pareció fascinante. (Well, as I was telling you before the phone rang, I found the movie fascinating.)

Building Confidence in Real Conversations

The key to mastering these phrases lies in practice and observation. Listen to native Spanish speakers in movies, podcasts, or real-life conversations. Notice how they naturally redirect discussions and which phrases they prefer in different contexts.

Don’t be afraid to use these expressions even if you’re not perfectly fluent. Spanish speakers appreciate when learners make efforts to communicate naturally and will understand what you mean even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect. These phrases actually help demonstrate that you’re developing conversational skills beyond basic vocabulary.

Start by incorporating one or two of these expressions into your regular Spanish practice. As you become more comfortable, experiment with different options to match various social situations. Over time, selecting the right phrase for each context will become second nature.

Conclusion

Mastering how to say back to what I was saying in Spanish opens doors to more natural, flowing conversations. Whether you choose volviendo a lo que decía, como iba diciendo, or any of the other expressions covered here, you now have the tools to confidently navigate interruptions and keep your Spanish conversations on track. Practice these phrases regularly, and soon you’ll be redirecting conversations like a native speaker.