When you learn Spanish, it’s really important to master how to use linkers or connectors. They help you speak fluently and sound natural. Linkers for additional commentary in Spanish are especially helpful because they let you add extra information, explain things, or emphasize your ideas. These connectors are used a lot in everyday conversations and also make written communication smoother by connecting ideas seamlessly.
In this article, we’ll look at the most common linkers for adding commentary in Spanish. You’ll review what they mean with practical examples so you can use them in your own speaking.
Spanish Linkers for Additional Commentary
This set of connectors, known as colloquial linkers for additional commentary in speech, is used to add extra comments. While they can be found in formal writing, they are most often heard in everyday conversation. Since their usage can be quite colloquial, there may be several ways of translating these phrases depending on the context.
Dicho esto (that being said)
Miriam nunca ha trabajado de mecánica. Dicho esto, su padre sí le enseñó a arreglar coches.
Miriam has never worked as a mechanic. That being said, her dad did teach her to fix cars.
Nos dijeron que no hay posibilidad de viajar por carretera. Dicho esto, nos quedan dos posibilidades: ir en barco o ir en avión.
They told us that traveling by road isn’t possible. That being said, we’re left with two possibilities: going by boat or by plane.
Pues (well)
Pues no sé qué piensas tú, pero a mí no me gusta.
Well, I don’t know what you think, but I don’t like it.
Dijiste que querías ver un león. Pues allí hay uno.
You said you wanted to see a lion. Well, there’s one over there.
Pues bien (well then)
Pues bien, él puede cambiar su manzana por la naranja de ella.
Well then, he can exchange his apple for her orange.
¿No quieres venir a la playa con nosotros? Pues bien, puedes quedarte en casa y hacer la limpieza.
Don’t you want to come to the beach with us? Well then, you can stay at home and clean.
Siendo así (under these circumstances)
Creí que teníamos suficiente tiempo. Siendo así, esperaremos a mañana.
I thought that we had enough time. Under these circumstances, we’ll wait until tomorrow.
Tenemos suerte, porque no hemos tenido que cerrar el negocio. Siendo así, ustedes no tendrán una bonificación este año.
We’re lucky because we haven’t had to shut down the business. Under these circumstances you won’t be getting a bonus this year.
Por cierto (by the way)
Por cierto, me reuní con Alicia la semana pasada.
By the way, I met up with Alicia last week.
Por cierto, Marcela pudo terminar las tareas a tiempo para ver la película.
By the way, Marcela could finish all tasks in time to see the movie.
A propósito (by the way)
A propósito, ¿podrían llevarme a casa?
By the way, could you take me home?
A propósito, Filadelfia está bastante cerca de Nueva York. Podríamos visitar las dos ciudades.
By the way, Philadelphia is rather close to New York. We could visit both cities.
A todo esto (anyway)
This is an informal expression used in Spain to introduce a topic in a conversation. It’s quite the same as
A todo esto, tienes que contarle a tu madre lo que me contaste a mí.
Anyway, you have to tell your mom what you told me.
No sé si van a cancelar clases mañana por la nieve. A todo esto, ¿quieres ir al cine?
I don’t know if they’ll cancel class tomorrow because of the snow. Anyway, do you want to go see a movie?
Exercises
In this article, we have seen seven Spanish linkers for additional commentary in speech. Let’s practice them with the following exercises.