Filler Words | How to Sound Instantly Native in 7 Languages

When speaking in a foreign language, have you ever found yourself struggling to fill a moment of silence in a conversation? Well, here is where filler words like the “well” I just used come in handy.

Filler words are little words or sounds that we use when we speak that don’t really have any meaning on their own. They are often used used to fill pauses, give us time to think, or to emphasize something we’re about to say. In English, filler words include “um”, “uh”, “like”, “you know”, “well”, etc. Although these words have no real meaning of their own, they’re a normal part of everyday conversation in any language.

For language learners like you, knowing how to use filler words will not only help you sound more like a native speaker but also avoid awkward silence. So in this article, we’ll show you some most commonly used filler words in 7 languages together with their variations and example sentences. If interested, keep reading!

Korean filler words

음 (eum) – This is perhaps the most common filler word in Korean. It is used to fill in gaps in conversation, similar to the English filler word “um”. 

For example: “음, 그래서 어떻게 해야 할까요?” (Um, so what should we do about this?)

응 (eung) – This filler word is used to express agreement, acknowledgement, or confirmation. It’s similar to the English “uh-huh” or “yeah”. 

For example: “그렇게 생각해요?” “응, 맞아요” (Do you think so? Yeah, that’s right)

어 (eo) – This filler word is similar to the Japanese “ええと (eeto)” or the English “uh” and is used to fill in gaps in conversation or to pause while thinking. It can be used in both formal and informal situations.

For example: “어, 그게 뭐였지?” (Um, what was that again?)

그 (geu) – This word can be used as a filler word to express hesitation, uncertainty, or to fill a gap in conversation. It can also be used as a demonstrative pronoun, meaning “that” or “those”. 

For example: “그, 그게 뭐였는지 잘 기억 안 나요” (Uh, I can’t remember what that was)

Japanese filler words

あのう (anou) – This is perhaps the most common filler word in Japanese. It is used to fill in gaps in conversation, similar to the English filler word “um”. For example: “あのう、ちょっと待ってください” (Um, please wait a moment).

ええと (eeto) – This filler word is also used to fill in gaps in conversation or to pause while thinking. For example: “ええと、どこで食べたらいいですか？” (Hmm, where should we eat?).

まあ (maa) – This filler word is used to express a variety of emotions, such as surprise, hesitation, or resignation. For example: “まあ、どうしようかな” (Well, what should we do?).

そう (sō) – This word is often used to indicate agreement or understanding, similar to the English “hmmm” or “I see”. It can also be used to express doubt or skepticism. For example: そう、今度の週末に映画を見に行こうよ。(Um, let’s go watch a movie this weekend.)

ええ (ē) – This word is used to indicate agreement or surprise, depending on the context. The tone and duration of the word can also convey positive or negative reactions. 

A short, flat “e” sound can indicate agreement or acknowledgement, similar to the English “uh-huh” or “yeah”. For example: “ええ、そうですね” (Yes, that’s right).

A longer, rising “ēēē” sound can indicate surprise or disbelief, similar to the English “wow” or “oh”. For example: “ええ、すごい！” (Wow, amazing!).

Chinese filler words

那个 (nà ge) – This is perhaps the most common filler word in Chinese. It is used to fill in gaps in conversation, similar to the English filler word “um”. It’s often used to start a sentence or draw attention. In some regional dialects, it’s often pronounced as nèi ge

For example: “那个，我昨天去了一个新的餐厅” (Um, I went to a new restaurant yesterday).

就是 (jiù shì) – This filler word is used to confirm what you mean or elaborate on something. It’s similar to “It’s like…” or “That is” in English. 

For example: “我也不确定，就是，我很久没和他联系了” (I’m not sure. I mean, I haven’t talked to him for a long time.)

那 (nà) – This word is used to introduce a solution. It can be translated to “then” or “well” in English. When using this word, you can prolong the sound (like “naaah…”) and think for the solution.

For example: -你想去哪儿旅游？-不知道，你去哪儿我就去哪。-那，我们可以去海南岛” (- Where do you want to travel? – I don’t know. I’ll go wherever you go. – Well, we can go to Hainan Island).

呃 (e) – Use this filler word when you feel hesitant, unsure, or awkward about something. 

For example: -能借我些钱吗？ – 呃，我手头也有点紧。（-Can you lend me some money? Um, I’m kind of on a budget…）

French filler words

euh is the most commonly used filler word in French. It is an equivalent of the English “um” or “er” and is used to signal a pause or hesitation in speech.

For example: Euh, je ne suis pas sûr de ce que je vais dire. (Um, I’m not sure what I’m going to say.)

Ben – This is a versatile filler word that can be used to express hesitation, surprise, or agreement. For example: “Ben, je ne sais pas quoi dire” (Well, I don’t know what to say), “Ben oui, bien sûr” (Well, yes, of course).

Bah – This is similar to “ben” and can also be used to express hesitation or agreement. For example: “Bah, je ne suis pas sûr” (Well, I’m not sure), “Bah oui, c’est ça” (Well, yes, that’s it).

Quoi – This word is used to express surprise, disbelief, or to ask for clarification. For example: “Quoi? Tu vas te marier?” (What? You’re getting married?)

Tu sais, t’sais – “Tu sais” and “t’sais” are French filler words similar to “you know” in English. They are often used in informal speech to create a more casual and conversational tone in French. For example: “Tu sais, j’ai vu ce film hier soir, c’était vraiment incroyable.” (“You know, I saw this movie last night, it was really amazing.”)

Spanish filler words

e / em – This word is used to fill a pause or hesitation, similar to the English “um” or “er”. For example: “E… no sé qué decir” (Um… I don’t know what to say).

Este – This word is often used to signal that the speaker is about to make a point, or to indicate a correction or clarification. It’s similar to the English “this” or “well”. For example: “Este… lo que quiero decir es que no estoy de acuerdo” (Well… what I mean is that I don’t agree).

Bueno – This word is used to signal the beginning of a conversation, or to indicate agreement, confirmation or a response. It’s similar to the English “well” or “ok”. For example: “Bueno, ¿cómo estás?” (Well, how are you?).

Pues – This word is used to fill a pause, indicate hesitation, or to introduce a new thought. It can be translated as “well” or “then”. For example: “Pues, no sé qué decirte” (Well, I don’t know what to tell you).

O sea – This phrase is used to clarify or rephrase something that has been said. It can be translated as “in other words” or “I mean”. For example: “No me gusta la comida picante, o sea, prefiero algo más suave” (I don’t like spicy food, I mean, I prefer something milder).

Entonces – This word is used to introduce a new topic or to indicate a consequence. It can be translated as “so” or “then”. For example: “Entonces, ¿vamos al cine o no?” (So, are we going to the cinema or not?).

Vale – This word is used to signal understanding or agreement. It can be translated as “ok” or “fine”. For example: “Vale, nos vemos a las seis” (Ok, we’ll see each other at six).

German filler words

Ähm – This word is used to indicate hesitation or to fill a pause while thinking. It’s similar to the English “um” or “uh”. For example: “Ähm, ich denke, dass wir morgen um 10 Uhr anfangen sollten” (Um, I think we should start at 10 o’clock tomorrow).

Also – Also is used to introduce a new idea or to summarize a point, like “well” in English. It’s often used to express agreement or understanding. For example: “Also, ich denke, dass das eine gute Idee ist” (Well, I think that’s a good idea).

So – This word is used to summarize a point or to indicate a transition. It can also be used as an adverb to mean “like this” or “in this way”. For example: “So, wie ich es verstehe, müssen wir das Formular ausfüllen” (So, as I understand it, we need to fill out the form).

Genau – This word is used to express agreement. It can also be used to emphasize a point. For example: “Genau, das habe ich auch gedacht” (Exactly, that’s what I thought too).

Na – This filler word is used to express surprise, agreement, or to initiate conversation. It’s similar to the English “well” or “so”. For example: “Na, wie geht es dir?” (Well, how are you doing?).

Tja – This word is used to express resignation or uncertainty, and can be translated as “well” or “oh well”. It’s often used when there is no clear solution to a problem or when something unexpected happens. For example: “Tja, wir müssen wohl abwarten, was passiert” (Well, we’ll have to wait and see what happens).

Russian filler words

Вот (vot) – Вот is perhaps the most common filler word in Russian. It is used to fill in gaps in conversation, similar to the English filler word “um”. For example: “Вот, я хочу пойти в кино” (Um, I want to go to the cinema).

Ну (nu) – Hy is another very commonly used Russian filler word. It’s similar to “well” in English. It can be used to express hesitation, doubt, agreement etc. For example: “Ну, давай начнем убираться в комнате” (Well, let’s start cleaning up the room)

Так (tak) – This filler word is used to introduce a new idea or to explain something. For example: “Так, это значит, что ты не придёшь?” (So, does that mean you won’t come?).

Короче (korochye) – This filler word is used to summarize a point or to make a conclusion. For example: “Я не понимаю этого, короче” (I don’t understand it, in short).