ちなみに

ち

な

み

に

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

conjunction

by the way; incidentally

usually written using kana alone

Used to add a related but less central piece of information, similar to 'by the way' or 'incidentally'. Often appears at the beginning of a sentence.

ちなみに、明日あしたの会かい議ぎは午ご後ごからです。
By the way, tomorrow's meeting is from the afternoon.
この店みせはランチがお得とくです。ちなみに、夜よるは予よ約やくが必ひつ要ようです。
This restaurant has great lunch deals. Incidentally, reservations are required for dinner.

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Grammar

ちなみにincidentally; for what it's worthN2

Kanji

因cause, factor, be associated with

Related words

ところでN4
ちなみに adds a related side note while staying on topic, whereas ところで changes the subject more abruptly.
そういえばN2
ちなみに introduces extra background information, while そういえば is used when something reminds the speaker of a related topic.
時ときに
時に can shift topic in casual conversation, while ちなみに is slightly more formal and used to add extra supplementary information rather than change the subject.
なおN2
ちなみに introduces a casual side note or 'by the way', while なお more often adds necessary supplementary information in formal writing.
ついでにN3
ちなみに adds related but separate information (like 'by the way'), while ついでに means doing something extra while already engaged in another activity or opportunity.

Written forms

因ちなみに
Kanji spelling is rare and mostly seen in older or formal writing. Lists it a high priority, but kana is strongly preferred.
因ちなみに
Abbreviated kanji spelling; even rarer than 因みに.

Etymology

Derived from the verb 因む (ちなむ, 'to be related to, to be connected with'), in the continuative form 因み (ちなみ) plus the particle に. Literally 'in connection with', it developed into a conjunction meaning 'by the way'.