übrigens vs außerdem
German word comparison
Listen to übrigens
Listen to außerdem
| übrigens | außerdem |
|---|---|
ÜB-ri-gens adverb | /ˈaʊsɐˌdeːm/ adverb |
| by the way; incidentally — used to add a remark or additional information that is related but not central | besides; moreover; in addition (adds an additional, often important point) |
How they differ
Außerdem signals an additive relation and typically introduces a relevant additional argument or fact (often strengthening a point), while übrigens tends to present side information that is not central to the main line of argument.
When to use each
When to use übrigens: Use 'übrigens' for incidental asides or side remarks that are not meant to add a main argument.
When to use außerdem: Use 'außerdem' when you want to add an important additional reason, detail, or argument rather than a mere aside.
Side-by-side examples
- Übrigens: Das Museum ist sonntags geschlossen.
(By the way: the museum is closed on Sundays.) - Das Museum ist außerdem sonntags geschlossen, also planen wir den Besuch für Samstag.
(Besides that, the museum is closed on Sundays, so let's plan the visit for Saturday.)
Register & nuance: Neutral and widely used in both spoken and written German; more explicitly additive and stronger than 'übrigens'.