13 Common Chinese Filler Words

Similar to English words like “um” and “uh,” Chinese also possesses its own set of filler words.

By learning the Chinese filler words below correctly, you will sound much more natural when speaking Chinese, particularly because native speakers use them frequently.

Textbooks often omit them, yet filler words like 那个 (nàge) and 就是 (jiùshì) are consistently present in genuine, everyday dialogue.

那个 (nàge)

The literal meaning of 那个 is “that,” but it can also function as a conversational placeholder.

Use this word with caution, as it might be misheard as a similar-sounding English word!

In everyday Mandarin, 那个 is frequently employed as a filler word during pauses or moments of hesitation, much like saying “uh” or “um” in English. In this context, it holds no specific meaning and simply fills the silence while the speaker collects their thoughts.

他问我关于那个……那个……那个计划。 (Tā wèn wǒ guānyú nàge… nàge… nàge jìhuà.) He asked me about that… um… that plan.

A well-known instance of 那个 (nà ge) being used in a Chinese song is in 北京欢迎你 (běi jīng huān yíng nǐ), “Beijing Welcomes You.” Here, 那个 acts as a filler in the chorus:

那个，有一种力量，那个，来自每个角落，那个，照亮我心中的那个地方。 (Nàge, yǒu yì zhǒng lìliàng, nàge, lái zì měi ge jiǎoluò, nàge, zhàoliàng wǒ xīnzhōng de nàge dì fang.) That, there is a kind of power, that, comes from every corner, that, illuminates the place in my heart.

In this case, 那个 doesn't convey a particular meaning but is used rhythmically within the song to sustain the flow and add emphasis to the subsequent lines.

这个 (zhège)

这个 literally translates to “this,” and like 那个, it also serves as a filler word. The two are largely interchangeable, though you'll notice native speakers using 那个 more often.

你看过这个，这个新电影吗？ (Nǐ kànguò zhège, zhège xīn diànyǐng ma?) Have you seen this… uh, this new movie?

It can also be used at the beginning of a sentence:

这个, 我还说不好。 (Zhège, wǒ hái shuō bù hǎo.) Uh… I’m still not certain.

嗯 (ēn)

This Chinese filler word is the equivalent of “um” or “uh” in English, used to show acknowledgment, agreement, or hesitation. Here’s an example of its usage:

嗯，我想一下再告诉你。 (Ēn, wǒ xiǎng yíxià zài gàosù nǐ.) Um, let me think about it and then I’ll tell you.

In this instance, 嗯 indicates hesitation or a brief pause while the speaker thinks before answering.

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就是 (jiùshì)

就是 means “exactly” or “precisely,” often used for emphasis or when providing a definition:

那就是我说的。 (Nà jiùshì wǒ shuō de.) That’s exactly what I said.

It can also conveniently act as a filler word. People might use it during a pause to gather their thoughts and articulate themselves more clearly:

就是，我觉得这个问题不大。 (Jiùshì, wǒ juéde zhè ge wèntí bù dà.) It’s just, I think this problem is not big.

他就是，就是我们班最受欢迎的老师。 (Tā jiùshì, jiùshì wǒmen bān zuì shòu huānyíng de lǎoshī.) He is, like, the most popular teacher in our class.

Its function is similar to English fillers like “like,” “you know” or “actually.”

You might even hear it combined with 那个:

我们就是去那个，就是新开的咖啡馆。 (Wǒmen jiùshì qù nàge, jiùshì xīnkāi de kāfēiguǎn.) We’re going to that, you know, the newly opened cafe.

怎么说(呢) (zěnme shuō [ne])

怎么说 roughly translates to: “How should I say it?”

As a filler word, it's used when the upcoming statement is somewhat awkward or delicate, serving to soften its impact. For instance, you might use it when discussing a coworker's poor performance or when criticizing a friend's behavior:

他的工作，怎么说，不是很稳定，所以他经常换工作。 (Tā de gōngzuò, zěnme shuō, bù shì hěn wěndìng, suǒyǐ tā jīngcháng huàn gōngzuò.) His job, how should I put it, isn’t very stable, so he often changes jobs.

这个问题，怎么说，有点复杂。 (Zhè ge wèntí, zěnme shuō, yǒudiǎn fùzá.) This issue, let’s say, is a bit complicated.

怎么说 can also appear when someone is conveying complex emotions:

哦 (ò)

This word is often used as a filler to express comprehension or to react to new information. Here’s an example:

哦，原来是这样！ (Ò, yuánlái shì zhèyàng!) Oh, so that’s how it is!

It can also acknowledge someone's statement before continuing the conversation, acting as a bridge between different parts of the dialogue, like this:

Person A: 我们明天一起去看电影吧。 (Wǒmen míngtiān yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng ba.) Let’s go watch a movie together tomorrow.

Person B: 哦，好主意。你想看哪部电影？ (Ò, hǎo zhǔyi. Nǐ xiǎng kàn nǎ bù diànyǐng?) Oh, good idea. Which movie do you want to watch?

哎 (āi)

This filler word is frequently used to express surprise, frustration, or to get someone's attention.

Here’s an example showing surprise or realization:

哎，你怎么这么快就回来了？ ( Āi, nǐ zěnme zhème kuài jiù huílái le?) Oh, how come you’re back so soon?

And here’s how it can express frustration or annoyance:

哎，这个电脑又坏了！ (Āi, zhè ge diànnǎo yòu huàile!) Ugh, this computer is broken again!

Or to call someone’s attention:

哎，你听我说！ (Āi, nǐ tīng wǒ shuō!) Hey, listen to me!

啦 (la)

This word is used to soften commands or requests, similar to adding “please” in English:

快点啦，我们要迟到了！ ( Kuài diǎn la, wǒmen yào chí dào le!) Hurry up, we’re going to be late!

It can also convey a sense of urgency, completion, or casualness, depending on the context:

你怎么还在那儿看手机啦？ ( Nǐ zěnme hái zài nàr kàn shǒujī la?) Why are you still there playing with your phone?

我终于做完作业啦！ (Wǒ zhōngyú zuò wán zuòyè la!) I finally finished my homework!

什么 (shénme)

什么 is mainly used as an interrogative pronoun meaning “what.” While it isn't typically a filler word like some other particles, it can still be used similarly to fill pauses or show uncertainty in speech.

Here’s how you might use it:

我觉得…什么…可能是因为天气吧。 (Wǒ juéde… shénme… kěnéng shì yīnwèi tiānqì ba.) I think… um… maybe it’s because of the weather.

你问我…什么…我忘记了。 (Nǐ wèn wǒ… shénme… wǒ wàngjì le.) You asked me… um… I forgot.

你知道吗？ (nǐ zhīdào ma?)

This phrase is often used in conversation to seek confirmation or emphasize a point, similar to the English "you know." For example:

这个地方真的很漂亮，你知道吗？ ( Zhè ge dìfang zhēn de hěn piàoliang, nǐ zhīdào ma?) This place is really beautiful, you know?

那个电影非常感人，你知道吗？ (Nà ge diànyǐng fēicháng gǎnrén, nǐ zhīdào ma?) That movie is very moving, you know?

对吗？ (duì ma?)

Similar to 你知道吗, this phrase can also be overused. Normally, 对吗 means “right?” It checks for agreement, but sometimes native speakers will repeatedly add 对吗 to their sentences while continuing to talk:

这部连续剧真的很棒，对吗？我觉得主角演得好，对吗？明年他们会拍续集，对吗？ ( Zhè bù liánxùjù zhēn de hěn bàng, duì ma? Wǒ juéde zhǔjiǎo yǎn de hǎo, duì ma?) This TV series is really great, right? I think the lead actor did a good job, right?

There’s also 对吧 (duì ba) , which has a more assured tone.

那(么) (nàme)

那 and 那么 are similar to “then” in English, and they’re often placed at the beginning of a sentence:

那，你怎么还不去睡觉？ (Nà, nǐ zěnme hái bù qù shuìjiào?) So, why haven’t you gone to bed yet?

Pauses occur naturally in conversations. Use these common Chinese filler words to fill them like a native speaker!

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