Learning French: when to use d'ailleurs versus par ailleurs?

D’ailleurs and par ailleurs are popular French terms used in everyday conversation to connect two ideas together. 

They may look and sound similar, however there is a slight difference between them that even native French speakers can struggle with. 

We will point out what these differences are, explain how to master the pronunciation of these terms and also provide more ailleurs expressions.

Read also: Mastering French phrases: understanding 'en fait', 'au fait', and common mistakes

What does d'ailleurs mean?

It literally translates as 'from elsewhere' however it can also mean: for that matter, now that you mention it, besides or incidentally.

D’ailleurs is the term you will most commonly hear in France, in a similar way to ‘by the way’ in English:

• Il fait si froid dehors qu'on pourrait se croire à Noël. D'ailleurs, que vas-tu demander au Père Noël cette année ? - It is so cold outside it feels like Christmas. By the way, what are you asking Father Christmas for this year?

What does par ailleurs mean?

It literally means 'by another way' but more appropriate translations would be also, additionally or moreover.

If you are keen to advance your vocabulary, par ailleurs is a good way to push linking words such as et (and) or mais (but) to the next level:

• Il est professeur de français et, par ailleurs, passionné de vin. - He is a French teacher and furthermore he is passionate about wine. 

When do you say d'ailleurs vs par ailleurs?

There is a general rule you can use to help decide which term to choose.

D’ailleurs typically has a logical link with the phrase that came before. Information is added which confirms or complements the previous statement.

Par ailleurs usually comes after the first part of a sentence or as a link between two phrases which are not necessarily connected. The additional information often contradicts what came before. 

For example, the following phrase uses d’ailleurs because we are talking about the same person, so they are directly connected:

• Je vais voir mon frère aujourd'hui ; d’ailleurs ça fait longtemps que je n'ai pas pris de ses nouvelles. - I am going to see my brother today; now that I think about it, I haven’t caught up with him in ages. 

However, the following phrase uses par ailleurs because we are talking about two different people, so they are not directly connected:

• Je vais voir mon frère aujourd'hui. Par ailleurs, je dois aussi rendre visite à ma grand-mère. - I am going to see my brother today. I also need to visit my grandmother.

That being said, native French speakers may often use d'ailleurs in the previous sentence if speaking casually.  

Similar French linking phrases include:

• De plus

• En plus

• En outre

• Cela dit

• Autrement dit

• À ce propos

• À cet égard

Read also: Understanding 'dis donc': the versatile French expression

How do you say ailleurs?

Ailleurs features a lot of French vowel sounds which can be tricky for English speakers to pronounce.

Let’s break it down phonetically: ay-euh-reh

Remember that double L in French usually makes a Y sound. 

The French R is a raspy sound produced at the back of the throat. 

The S at the end of this word is also silent.

Expressions featuring ailleurs?

You might hear this word pop up in other 

• Aller voir ailleurs - Try something different or (informally) telling someone to take a hike

• Avoir la tête ailleurs - To be in your own little world

• Ici comme ailleurs - It’s no different here from anywhere else

• L'herbe est plus verte ailleurs - The grass is always greener somewhere else

• Regarder ailleurs - To look the other way

• Toutes choses égales par ailleurs - All else being equal