Anyway…
EN-ee-way /ˈeniweɪ/
Informal Neutral
What it really means
A small word with a big job: it changes the topic or signals the conversation is ending. A long drawn-out "anyway" plus a slap on the knees often means "I am about to leave".
Chinese explanation
小词大用：用来转换话题或示意谈话进入尾声。拖长音的 anyway 加上拍腿起身的动作，通常表示"我要走了"。
Example conversation
A: …and that's the whole saga with the plumber.
B: Goodness. Anyway — I'd better make a move.
A：……跟水管工的这场拉锯战就是这样。
B：天哪。好了——我也该走了。
What you could say back
No spoken reply needed for this one.
Related phrases
All Politeness Decoder
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· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake