You hear them in every Chinese podcast, every drama, every conversation with a native speaker. 那个 (nèige – um)… 就是 (jiùshì – I mean)… 然后 (ránhòu – and then)… These little words are everywhere. Most learners tune them out as noise. That is a missed opportunity.
Understanding Chinese filler words does two things. First, it helps you follow authentic Chinese expressions in real conversations, because native speakers use these words to signal what they are doing: pausing, thinking, connecting ideas. Second, over time, these words start showing up in your own Chinese naturally, not because you force them in, but because your brain has absorbed the rhythm of real speech.
After 20 years of one-on-one teaching at eChineseLearning, we have noticed a pattern: intermediate students who start recognizing filler words in listening practice improve faster. Not because they use more words, but because they understand more of what is being said.
Here are seven Chinese filler words you will hear every day, grouped by what the speaker is doing.
Quick Answer
The seven most common Chinese filler words are:
- 那个 (nèige – um): fills a pause while thinking
- 什么来着 (shénme lái zhe – what was it called): signals a word is on the tip of the tongue
- 嗯 (ǹg – mm-hmm): acknowledges or buys a second
- 然后 (ránhòu – and then): connects one step to the next
- 就是 (jiùshì – I mean): rephrases or clarifies
- 对 (duì – right): shows the listener is engaged
- 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it): signals the speaker is choosing words
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When the Speaker Is Pausing
Native speakers rarely go silent when they need a moment. They fill the gap with one of these, and the listener knows they are thinking, not confused.
那个 (nèige – um/that)
The most common Chinese filler word. Same function as English “um.” The speaker’s mouth keeps moving while the brain catches up.
我想要 (wǒ xiǎng yào – I want)… 那个 (nèige – um)… 那个红色的 (nèige hóngsè de – that red one).
I want… um… that red one.
Native speakers often repeat 那个 (nèige – um) two or three times. Each one buys another second. Same as English “um… um…”
Pronunciation note: you learned 那个 (nàge – that) as nàge. In daily speech, people say nèige. Both mean “that,” but nèige is the conversational form. Hearing nèige where you expect nàge is one of the first signs you are listening to real, not textbook, Chinese.
什么来着 (shénme lái zhe – what was it called)
A word is on the tip of the tongue. 什么来着 (shénme lái zhe – what was it called) is what Chinese speakers say instead of going silent. English equivalent: “what’s-it-called.”
那个电影 (nèige diànyǐng – That movie)… 什么来着 (shénme lái zhe – what was it called)… 反正很好看 (fǎnzhèng hěn hǎokàn – anyway it was really good).
That movie… what was it called… anyway it was really good.
For listening: when you hear 什么来着 (shénme lái zhe – what was it called), you know the speaker is searching for a word, not losing their train of thought. That context helps you follow the conversation instead of getting stuck on the pause.
嗯 (ǹg – mm-hmm)
Small sound, big difference. Falling tone ǹg = “I hear you” or “give me a second.” Rising tone ńg = “Hmm? What did you say?” Wrong tone, wrong message.
嗯 (ǹg – mm-hmm)… 让我想想 (ràng wǒ xiǎngxiǎng – let me think).
Mm-hmm… let me think.
For listening: recognizing the tone tells you whether the speaker is acknowledging you (falling) or asking you to repeat (rising). Misreading this can derail a conversation.
A one-on-one teacher uses these words naturally every session. Try it free →
When the Speaker Is Connecting Ideas
Chinese speakers do not deliver polished paragraphs. They build ideas piece by piece, and these two words hold the pieces together.
然后 (ránhòu – and then)
Literally “then” or “after that.” In real speech, speakers repeat it the way English speakers repeat “and then… and then…” Each repetition pulls the listener forward.
我先去了超市 (wǒ xiān qùle chāoshì – I first went to the supermarket)，然后 (ránhòu – and then)… 然后就回家做饭了 (ránhòu jiù huíjiā zuòfàn le – and then went home and cooked).
I first went to the supermarket, and then… and then went home and cooked.
For listening: 然后 (ránhòu – and then) is a signpost. When you hear it, the speaker is moving to the next step. It gives your brain a beat to process what just came before.
就是 (jiùshì – I mean/that is)
Formally “that is” or “exactly.” In everyday speech, it works like “I mean.” The speaker is rephrasing or clarifying.
他不是不想来 (tā búshì bù xiǎng lái – It is not that he does not want to come)，就是 (jiùshì – I mean)… 太忙了 (tài máng le – too busy).
It is not that he does not want to come, I mean… he is too busy.
For listening: when you hear 就是 (jiùshì – I mean), the speaker is about to correct or refine what they just said. Instead of getting confused by the apparent contradiction, you know the real point is coming next.
Experience this back-and-forth in real dialogue. Practice Chinese conversation →
When the Speaker Is Responding
The part most learners overlook. Chinese conversation has a back-and-forth rhythm, and native speakers expect the listener to signal they are engaged. Not doing so can feel off, even if your Chinese is grammatically perfect.
对 (duì – right/exactly)
A quick 对 (duì – right) while someone is talking means “I am following you.” 对对对 (duì duì duì – right, right, right) is verbal nodding.
对 (duì – right)，对 (duì – right)，就是这样 (jiùshì zhèyàng – that is exactly it).
Right, right, that is exactly it.
For listening: when the person you are talking to says 对 (duì – right) repeatedly, they are engaged and agreeing. When they stop, something might be off. This feedback signal is easy to miss if you are not listening for it. Recognizing these patterns is part of developing native Chinese expressions in your own speech.
怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it)
The speaker needs a moment to choose words. Instead of silence, which might sound like hesitation or disagreement, 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it) tells you they are thinking about how to say it, not whether they agree.
这个人 (zhège rén – This person)… 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it)… 挺有意思的 (tǐng yǒu yìsi de – is quite interesting).
This person… how should I put it… is quite interesting.
For listening: same pause, different signal. “This person…” followed by silence makes you tense up. “This person… 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it)” tells you to relax, they are just thinking.
Textbook Chinese vs. Real Chinese
Read both versions out loud. Same meaning. Same grammar. Different rhythm.
| Situation | Textbook | With filler words |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering | 我要一杯咖啡 (wǒ yào yì bēi kāfēi – I want a coffee) | 我要那个 (wǒ yào nèige – I want, um)… 一杯咖啡 (yì bēi kāfēi – a coffee) |
| Telling what you did | 我去了超市，然后回家做饭了 (wǒ qùle chāoshì, ránhòu huíjiā zuòfàn le – I went to the store, then went home and cooked) | 我去了超市 (wǒ qùle chāoshì – I went to the store)，然后 (ránhòu – and then)… 然后就回家做饭了 (ránhòu jiù huíjiā zuòfàn le – and then just went home and cooked) |
| Agreeing | 是的，你说得对 (shìde, nǐ shuō de duì – Yes, you are right) | 对对对 (duì duì duì – right, right, right)，就是这样 (jiùshì zhèyàng – that is exactly it) |
| Thinking | 我觉得还可以 (wǒ juéde hái kěyǐ – I think it is okay) | 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it)… 还可以 (hái kěyǐ – it is okay) |
| Forgetting a word | [silence] | 那个人 (nèige rén – that person)… 什么来着 (shénme lái zhe – what was it called)… 反正你认识 (fǎnzhèng nǐ rènshi – anyway you know them) |
The version with filler words sounds like someone thinking out loud. The textbook version sounds like someone reading from a script. Neither is wrong, but real conversations sound like the first one.
For more, see how to speak natural Chinese without sounding polite or textbook.
How to Work With Chinese Filler Words
The goal is not to stuff filler words into your Chinese. A learner who forces 那个 (nèige – um) into every sentence sounds stranger than a learner who uses none at all. The goal is to start hearing these words in real Chinese, understand what the speaker is doing, and let them enter your own speech when it feels natural.
| Method | What It Does | When It Clicks |
|---|---|---|
| Listen for them | Trains your ear to catch filler words in context | After 2-3 weeks of daily listening |
| Notice how they affect you | Helps you understand why native speakers use them | Immediately, once you pay attention |
| Let them come out on their own | Filler words appear in your speech without planning | After 1-2 months of regular listening practice |
1. Listen for them first
Put on a Chinese vlog or drama. Every time you hear 那个 (nèige – um), 然后 (ránhòu – and then), or 就是 (jiùshì – I mean), pause. Ask: what was the speaker doing? Buying time? Connecting ideas? Showing they are listening? A filler in the wrong context sounds worse than no filler at all.
A one-on-one Chinese speaking class helps because your teacher uses filler words naturally every session, giving you real-time examples.
2. Notice how they affect you as a listener
When someone says 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it) before a careful answer, how does it feel different from silence? When someone responds with 对对对 (duì duì duì – right, right, right) while you are talking, does it make you feel heard? Paying attention to how filler words affect you is the fastest way to understand why native speakers use them.
Chinese conversation practice lets you experience this back-and-forth with a partner who can show you the rhythm of real dialogue.
Struggling to follow real Chinese conversations? A teacher can help you tune in →
3. Let them come out on their own
Once you have heard these words enough times in context, they start appearing in your own Chinese without planning. That is the right way. Not “I should use 那个 (nèige – um) here” but “那个 (nèige – um) comes out because it is what your brain reaches for in that moment.” A teacher who gives you personalized feedback on your Chinese speaking skills can tell you when your fillers sound natural and when they feel forced.
Ready to Understand Real Chinese Conversations?
Chinese filler words are a small detail that opens up a lot. Understanding them makes real conversations easier to follow. And over time, they naturally become part of how you speak. But getting there takes regular practice with someone who guides you and gives you honest feedback.
Book a free 30-minute trial lesson with eChineseLearning. Every session is one-on-one and tailored to your level. Try your first lesson risk-free. If you are not satisfied, it is free.
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Common Questions About Chinese Filler Words
Will using filler words make me sound less intelligent?
No. Native Chinese speakers use filler words in almost every conversation. Nobody judges an English speaker for saying “um.” Same in Chinese. The key is using them naturally, not forcing them. If you are consciously inserting them, you probably do not need them yet.
Should beginners learn Chinese filler words?
Beginners should start by recognizing them in listening. You do not need to produce them yet. Build basic vocabulary and sentence patterns first. Once you can hold a simple conversation, you will start noticing filler words in what native speakers say. That is when they become useful. Intermediate learners benefit the most from paying attention to them. A one-on-one teacher can help you figure out the right time.
Can I overuse Chinese filler words?
Yes. If every other word is 那个 (nèige – um), you sound hesitant, not natural. Use them where a native speaker would: brief pauses. The best test is whether they come out without thinking about it. If you are consciously inserting them, you probably do not need them yet. A teacher can help you find the balance.
What is the difference between 那个 (nèige – um) and 那个 (nàge – that)?
Same characters, different pronunciation. Nèige is the conversational form you hear in daily speech. Nàge is the textbook pronunciation. When used as a filler, native speakers say nèige. Saying nàge as a filler marks you as a learner immediately.
Why do Chinese speakers repeat filler words?
Repetition is not a mistake. Each repetition buys another second of thinking time, same as English “um… um…” or “and then… and then…” When you hear 那个 (nèige – um), 那个 (nèige – um), 那个 (nèige – um), the speaker is not confused. They are giving their brain time to find the next word.
How do Chinese filler words differ from English filler words?
The basic function is the same: fill pauses, signal thinking, connect ideas. The main difference is that Chinese filler words often have literal meanings (那个 (nèige – um) = “that,” 就是 (jiùshì – I mean) = “that is,” 对 (duì – right) = “right”) that also function as filler. In English, most fillers (um, uh, like) do not carry literal meaning. Understanding the dual function helps you recognize when the word is being used as a filler versus its literal meaning.
Do Chinese filler words change in formal vs. casual settings?
Yes. In formal settings (business meetings, speeches), speakers use fewer filler words and prefer 然后 (ránhòu – and then) over 那个 (nèige – um). In casual conversation, fillers are much more frequent and varied. A teacher who understands both contexts can help you adjust naturally.
Can Chinese filler words help me with Chinese conversation beyond just sounding natural?
Yes. Recognizing filler words improves your listening comprehension significantly. When you hear 然后 (ránhòu – and then), you know a new step is coming. When you hear 就是 (jiùshì – I mean), you know a clarification follows. When you hear 怎么说呢 (zěnme shuō ne – how should I put it), you know to wait for a thoughtful answer. These signals help you follow conversations faster than if you only understand the content words.