话又说回来: Returning With a Qualification in Chinese
话又说回来
话又说回来 is a fixed conversational discourse turn that returns from a concession or digression to a balancing main point. It normally opens a new clause and is followed by a complete qualification. The expression cannot be rearranged, split by aspect particles, or left without the point being brought back into focus.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，+ Rebalanced main point
Read the structure
话又说回来 is a fixed conversational discourse turn that returns from a concession or digression to a balancing main point. It normally opens a new clause and is followed by a complete qualification. The expression cannot be rearranged, split by aspect particles, or left without the point being brought back into focus. Keep the model Concession or digression. 话又说回来，+ Rebalanced main point visible while you compare each sentence.
这个办法有风险，话又说回来，目前也没有更好的选择。
This method is risky; then again, there is no better choice now.
Choose the right context
Return to the main issue after acknowledging another side. Rebalance an argument in conversation. Introduce a qualification that limits the previous claim.
他经验不足，话又说回来，他学得很快。
He lacks experience; on the other hand, he learns quickly.
Respect the boundary
Do not rearrange the fixed expression. Do not insert 了 inside it. Do not leave the returning point unstated.
价格很高，话说又回来，质量可靠。
(The price is high, words say again return, quality is reliable.)
Repair the pattern
The fixed discourse expression is rearranged: The established discourse expression has the fixed order 话又说回来. An aspect particle splits the fixed discourse marker: 话又说回来 is an indivisible discourse marker and cannot contain aspect 了.
价格很高，话又说回来，质量可靠。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
这个办法有风险，话又说回来，目前也没有更好的选择。
This method is risky; then again, there is no better choice now.
这个
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
办法
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
有
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
风险
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
，
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
话
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
又
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
说
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
回来
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
，
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
目前
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
也没有
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
更好
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
的
Rebalanced main point
This part occupies the Rebalanced main point position in the model pattern.
选择
Concession or digression. 话又说回来，
This part occupies the Concession or digression. 话又说回来， position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
这个办法有风险，话又说回来，目前也没有更好的选择。
This method is risky; then again, there is no better choice now.
他经验不足，话又说回来，他学得很快。
He lacks experience; on the other hand, he learns quickly.
价格确实高，话又说回来，质量也更可靠。
The price is indeed high; that said, the quality is more reliable.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Return to the main issue after acknowledging another side.
- Rebalance an argument in conversation.
- Introduce a qualification that limits the previous claim.
Do not use it when
- Do not rearrange the fixed expression.
- Do not insert 了 inside it.
- Do not leave the returning point unstated.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
价格很高，话说又回来，质量可靠。
价格很高，话又说回来，质量可靠。
The fixed discourse expression is rearranged
The established discourse expression has the fixed order 话又说回来.
价格很高，话又了说回来，质量可靠。
价格很高，话又说回来，质量可靠。
An aspect particle splits the fixed discourse marker
话又说回来 is an indivisible discourse marker and cannot contain aspect 了.
价格很高，话说又回来，质量可靠。
The established discourse expression has the fixed order 话又说回来.
价格很高，话又了说回来，质量可靠。
话又说回来 is an indivisible discourse marker and cannot contain aspect 了.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 话又说回来.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 话又说回来. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
话又说回来: Returning With a Qualification Questions
Is 话又说回来 formal?
No. It is a conversational discourse organizer, though it can appear in informal essays.
What should follow it?
A complete point that rebalances or qualifies the preceding statement should follow.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, combined Levels 7–9 item 【七—九130】, 口语格式：（不过/但/可是）话又说回来，…… (printed p. 251)
Supports placement in the official combined Levels 7-9 band; the exact site level remains an internal difficulty label; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 25, §25.11, topic development; Chapter 41, §§41.1–41.3, contrast
Supports discourse development and contrastive qualification; GF supplies 话又说回来 as the specific conversational return marker.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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Compare this lesson with 也就是说 introducing a clarification or reformulation; both belong to summary, reformulation, and return to the main point, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
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