Filler Words

Question 1

Um

Answer 1

“em” or “eh”(trying to decide between yes or no.

Ex. Sorry, yes, um, the joint accounts.
Perdón, sí, em, las cuentas comunes.

   Um, yeah, no. 
   Eh, sí, no.

Question 2

Well

Answer 2

Pues and bueno
(Both play the role of well)

Ex. Well, yes, you’re right.
Pues sí, tienes razón.

   Well, that sounds good.
   Bueno, suena bien.

Question 3

In other words…
That is to say…
I mean…

Answer 3

“O sea “ or “es decir”

Ex. I mean, Chris is crazy and I love him that way and that’s it.
O sea, Chris está loco y así lo amo y ya.

Question 4

Let’s see…

Let me see…

Answer 4

A ver

Ex. Let’s see, yes there is an appointment at 11:00
A ver, sí hay una cita a las 11:00.

Question 5

So,

Answer 5

“entonces” and “así que”

Ex. So, what do you want to do?
Entonces, que quieres hacer?

Question 6

It’s just that…

The thing is…

Answer 6

Es que

Ex. Well, the thing is, one tends to waste one’s time when young.
Bueno, es que… de joven se pierde mucho del tiempo.

Question 7

You know

Answer 7

¿Sabes?

Ex. It’s going to be impossible to finish by Friday, do you know?
Va a ser imposible terminar para el viernes, ¿sabes?

Question 8

Really or wow. Just adds more weight to the statement.

Answer 8

Ya

Ex. That’s bad luck, huh?
Ya es mala suerte, ¿eh?

Question 9

Look or listen

Answer 9

“Mira” and “oye”

Ex. Hey honey.
Oye, amor.

Ex. No, not like that. Come, look, I’ll explain.
No, no es así. Ven, mira, te explico.

Question 10

Okay

Answer 10

“Venga” and “vale”(vale used mostly in Spain)

Used like when trying to get off the phone.
Ex. “Okay, yep, Got it.”
“Venga, venga, venga.”