話說

It is said that ... (at the start of a narrative) / to discuss / to recount

It is said that ... (at the start of a narrative) / to discuss; to recount

dialect / language / spoken words / speech / talk / words / conversation / what sb said / CL:種|种[zhong3],席[xi2],句[ju4],口[kou3],番[fan1]

to persuade

to speak / to say / to explain / to scold / to tell off / a theory (typically the last character in a compound, as in 日心說|日心说 heliocentric theory)

to speak; to talk; to say / to explain; to comment / to scold; to tell off / (bound form) theory; doctrine

in other words

as the proverb says / as they say...

let's talk about the unpleasant things first; let's be frank

(but) then again; (but) on the other hand

returning to our main topic,... / that said,... / again,... / in this connection / in passing / nevertheless,... / anyhow

let's talk about the unpleasant things first / let's be frank