Filler words are a phenomenon in every language. They are used to ‘fill in’ spaces in conversations, perhaps to give yourself time to think about what you want to say or as conversational padding.
In Japanese they are known as tsunagi kotoba (つなぎ言葉 / つなぎことば), literally translating as ‘linking words’.
What are filler words?
English examples would include words like ‘um’, ‘well’ or ‘like’. In formal writing and conversation, the use of such filler words are discouraged as it can make you seem unsure or ‘unprofessional’.
However, in casual conversation I think they should be encouraged, as long as they are not overused!
Filler words are a natural and human part of speech, so inserting them into your sentences will help them sound more seamless and natural. Never using them may result in you sounding like a robot with a script…
Additionally, although filler words may seem like pointless faff, in the same way that facial expressions and gestures add to what you’re saying, filler words can do the same.
They can help you to gently open a conversation, bring up a topic and give an insight to what the speaker may be feeling.
JapanesePod101 is our top recommendation to learn Japanese online. We love the fun, current audio lessons and interactive online tools. Sign up for your free lifetime account and see for yourself!
Common Japanese filler words
Etto
えっと
Ehmm…
Etto (えっと) is definitely one of those filler phrases you will hear A LOT in Japan. It is used to pause at the beginning or middle of a sentence to buy time in choosing your words.
It can also show hesitance or shyness.
It is used by pretty much everyone, regardless of age or social status!
Example:
Etto, namae wa nan deshitakke?
えっと、名前は何でしたっけ？
えっと、なまえはなんでしたっけ？
Ehmm… what was your name again?
Ano
あの
Umm…
Ano (あの) is used in quite a similar way to etto, as it helps ease into or buffer a sentence. However, it is more so directed towards the listener rather than the speaker.
It is commonly used in a multitude of scenarios, from casual to formal.
It can also be used to politely grab someone’s attention when used in conjunction with sumimasen (すみません) which is ‘excuse me’ in Japanese.
Example:
Ano, chotto kiite mo ii desu ka?
あの、ちょっと聞いてもいいですか？
あの、ちょっときいてもいいですか？
Umm, may I ask you something?
Uun
うーん
Hmm…
Uun (うーん) is an onomatopoeic expression that expresses the act of thinking.
It indicates that you are pondering carefully about something or trying to come to a conclusion.
Example:
Q: Kono doresu suki?
A: Uun, dou darou
Q: このドレス好き？(このどれすすき？)
A: うーん、どうだろう
Q: Do you like this dress?
A: Hmm… I’m not sure
Maa
まあ
Well
Maa (まあ) has a little more weight to it than some of the previous filler words. It is definitely used to buffer the beginning of a sentence and also to soften what you are about to say.
Depending on the context, it can have the nuance that the following sentence may be reluctant, unsure or not entirely straightforward.
Example:
Maa, oishikatta
まあ、美味しかった
まあ、おいしかった
Well, it was tasty (implied tasty but nothing special)
Nanka
なんか
Like
Have you ever gotten scolded for using the word ‘like’ too much while speaking? Or have you ever become hyper-aware of someone else using it too much and that becomes all you can hear? Well, Japanese has its own version of this: nanka (なんか).
Its original use is to describe ‘something’, ‘something like’ and ‘somehow’, though these days it is also sprinkled into daily conversation as a filler word. I would compare it to how we throw around ‘like,’ ‘you know’ or ‘kind of’.
Similarly to the misconception of ‘like’ in English, nanka is not actually an annoying, pointless, overused filler word. It can actually enhance your conversational skills.
In situations which may call for it, it helps to be less direct and softens your statement. It shows that you can read the room and adjust your language skills to suit the situation.
Example:
Sore nanka omoshiroii ne
それなんか面白いね
それなんかおもしろいね
That’s like, kind of interesting isn’t it?
Sa / 〇〇 tte sa
さ / 〇〇ってさ
You know… / about 〇〇
Sa (さ) is a great way to naturally bring up a topic in conversation. It is a hard one to translate into English as it is used more as an emphasis or to alter the tone of what you are saying, rather than an actual meaningful word.
When you hear tte sa (ってさ), the って is actually doing most of the grammatical lifting. As a filler word, って is used as a topic marker while さ pretty much just adds a conversational tone.
You will often hear it used in conjunction with the previous filler word, nanka = nanka sa. (Again not really changing its meaning but just adding a casual flair)
Examples:
- って as a topic marker (introducing a topic):
Kono eiga tte sa, nagai yo ne
この映画ってさ、長いよね
このえいがってさ、ながいよね
This movie, you know, it’s long, right?
- With nanka:
Nanka sa, kyou tsukareta
なんかさ、今日疲れた
なんかさ、きょうつかれた
So like… I’m tired today
Teiuka
ていうか
I mean
Teiuka (って言うか / っていうか) is translated to ‘I mean…’ or ‘how to say…’.
It can also express ‘rather’ or ‘actually’, to correct yourself. In typical filler word fashion, it’s not so much the meaning but the fact that starting a sentence with teiuka gives the speaker time to organize their thoughts and correct what they really want to say.
Examples:
- As a filler:
Kyou wa samui ne. Teiuka, samusugiru!
今日は寒いね。ていうか、寒すぎる！
きょうはさむいね。ていうか、さむすぎる！
It’s cold today right. I mean, it’s soo cold!
- Grammatical use:
Kirai tteiuka, kyoumi ga nai
嫌いっていうか、興味がない
きらいっていうか、きょうみがない
It’s not that I hate it, but rather that I have no interest
Jaa
じゃあ
Well then…
Jaa (じゃあ) is one of my favourite Japanese filler words. It’s not only a filler word but also serves as a conjunction.
I would closely translate to the likes of ‘then’, ‘well’ or ‘so’ in English and used in pretty much the same ways.
It’s a great transition filler to help you move from one thought to the next while buying some time to gather those thoughts.
Example:
A: Kyou wa hima?
B: Un
A: Jaa, kafee ni ikou
A: 今日は暇？(きょうはひま？)
B: うん
A: じゃあ、カフェに行こう！(じゃあ、かふぇにいこう!)
A: Are you free today?
B: yep
A: Well then, let’s go to a cafe!
Iyaa
いやあ / いやー
Oh well…
You may know iya to translate as ‘no’, the stretched version, iyaa functions as a kind of emotional filler, similar to words like ‘wow’ or ‘oh my’ in English.
Like other filler words, it also softens a sentence helping you speak in a less direct tone.
Example:
A: Ryokou wa dou datta?
B: Iyaa, saikou datta
A: 旅行はどうだった？(りょこうはどうだった)
B:いやー、最高だった (いやー、さいこうだった
A: How was the trip?
B: Oh man, it was the best
Example:
A: Kantan datta yo ne
B: Iyaa-, watashi ni wa muzukashikatta
A: 簡単だったよね (かんたんだったよね)
B:いやー、私には難しかった (いやー、わたしにはむずかしかった)
A: That was easy, wasn’t it?
B: Well, for me it was difficult (softens the disagreement)
How to speak Japanese, like, totally naturally!
As you can see, Japanese has a whole range of filler words that are very useful and widely used in everyday conversation.
Mastering a few useful filler words buys you some time to think, and also makes your Japanese sound a lot more natural!
Want to learn more practical, everyday Japanese? Our top recommended course is JapanesePod101.
Try it – it’s free!
JapanesePod101 is our top recommendation to learn Japanese online. We love the fun, current audio lessons and interactive online tools. Sign up for your free lifetime account and see for yourself!
Related posts
- 18 Badass Japanese Slang Words to Impress Your Friends
- Japanese Question Words You Need to Know (With Examples)
- How to Say ‘I Don’t Understand’ in Japanese
Hannah is a half Irish/half Japanese girl living in Ireland. Her love for Japan and the Japanese language led her to studying languages and translation in university where she specialised in Japanese. She spent a year studying abroad at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys using her sewing machine to upcycle clothes and create new pieces!