Filler words are an essential part of everyday language, helping to bridge pauses in conversation, give the speaker time to think, or add nuance to a sentence. Just like in English, French has its own set of common fillers that help conversations flow naturally.
1. Euh
- Meaning: Uh / Um
- Explanation: Used exactly like “uh” or “um” in English, it’s a hesitation sound that gives the speaker time to think.
- Example: “Euh, je ne suis pas sûr de la réponse.” (Um, I’m not sure of the answer.)
2. Bah
- Meaning: Well / Duh
- Explanation: A casual expression often used to emphasize the obvious or to buy time while thinking. It can express mild surprise or clarify an obvious point.
- Example: “Bah, oui, bien sûr.” (Well, yes, of course.)
3. Bon
- Meaning: Well / So
- Explanation: Used to introduce or transition into a new topic or to move the conversation forward.
- Example: “Bon, on y va ?” (Well, shall we go?)
4. Alors
- Meaning: So / Well then
- Explanation: Often used to start a sentence or indicate a conclusion or result. It’s one of the most versatile filler words in French.
- Example: “Alors, qu’est-ce qu’on fait maintenant ?” (So, what do we do now?)
5. Hein
- Meaning: Right? / Isn’t it?
- Explanation: A tag question often used at the end of sentences to seek agreement or clarification. Similar to “right?” or “isn’t it?” in English.
- Example: “C’est bien, hein ?” (It’s nice, right?)
6. Quoi
- Meaning: You know / Right
- Explanation: Used at the end of sentences for emphasis or to add a casual, colloquial tone. It’s similar to “you know” or “right” in English.
- Example: “Il fait super chaud, quoi !” (It’s super hot, you know!)
7. En fait
- Meaning: In fact / Actually
- Explanation: Used to clarify or correct something that was just said, or to add emphasis to a point.
- Example: “En fait, je pense que tu as raison.” (Actually, I think you’re right.)
8. Ben
- Meaning: Well / Uh
- Explanation: A softer version of “bah,” used to express hesitation, uncertainty, or to fill a pause in speech.
- Example: “Ben, je ne sais pas trop quoi dire.” (Well, I don’t really know what to say.)
9. Tu vois
- Meaning: You see / You know
- Explanation: Used to seek confirmation or understanding from the listener, similar to “you see” or “you know” in English.
- Example: “C’est comme ça qu’on fait, tu vois.” (That’s how it’s done, you see.)
10. Enfin
- Meaning: Well / I mean
- Explanation: Used to correct or clarify a statement or to soften what was just said.
- Example: “Je n’aime pas vraiment ça. Enfin, pas toujours.” (I don’t really like that. Well, not always.)
11. Genre
- Meaning: Like
- Explanation: A casual filler word similar to “like” in English, often used by younger speakers.
- Example: “Il était genre, super en colère.” (He was like, super angry.)
12. Bref
- Meaning: In short / Anyway
- Explanation: Used to summarize or conclude a story, or to indicate that you’re getting to the point.
- Example: “Bref, on est rentrés à la maison.” (In short, we went back home.)
13. Tu sais
- Meaning: You know
- Explanation: A filler used to ensure that the listener is following along, similar to “you know” in English.
- Example: “C’était compliqué, tu sais.” (It was complicated, you know.)
14. D’accord
- Meaning: Okay / Alright
- Explanation: Used to signal agreement or understanding, often as a response but also to move the conversation forward.
- Example: “D’accord, on fera ça demain.” (Okay, we’ll do that tomorrow.)
15. Ça va
- Meaning: It’s okay / It’s fine
- Explanation: Often used to acknowledge something or to reassure the speaker that everything is fine.
- Example: “Je suis un peu fatigué, mais ça va.” (I’m a bit tired, but it’s okay.)
16. Voilà
- Meaning: There you go / That’s it
- Explanation: A versatile word used to conclude or emphasize something, or to present something.
- Example: “Voilà, c’est ce que je voulais dire.” (There you go, that’s what I wanted to say.)
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge with this short quiz:
- What does “euh” mean in English?
- How do you say “you see” in French?
- Translate: “Well, what are we going to do?”
- What is the French equivalent of “you know”?
- How do you say “in short” in French?
Conclusion
Filler words in French are essential for sounding more natural and fluent in conversation. While they may not add much meaning, they help maintain the flow of dialogue, soften statements, or give the speaker a moment to think. Learning and using these filler words can greatly improve your conversational skills.
