Mandarin Backchannel Phrases: Show You're Listening with 嗯, 是吗, and 真的吗
Learn short Mandarin backchannel phrases like 嗯, 是吗, and 真的吗 to show attention while someone speaks, and see how they differ from giving answers.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone speaks Mandarin to you, you do not need a full sentence to show you are listening. Short responses called backchannels keep the conversation going: 嗯 (ng), 是吗 (shì ma), 真的吗 (zhēn de ma), 然后呢 (rán hòu ne), and 对 (duì). These are not answers to questions. They signal attention, interest, or a request for more. In this lesson you will learn five beginner-friendly backchannels, hear them in a short dialogue, and practice choosing the right one.
By the end, you can…
- use 嗯 and 对 to show I am following what someone says.
- use 是吗 and 真的吗 to show surprise or interest.
- use 然后呢 to invite someone to continue their story.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
嗯
uh-huh; I see
ǹg (a syllabic nasal; the vowel is not pronounced)
The most common backchannel. Use it while someone is speaking to show you are still listening. It is not a full word and does not answer a question. It is a syllabic nasal, not the interjection 嗯 (èn/ń) used to say 'yes' or 'hmm?'.
对
right; yes, that's it
duì (falling tone)
Use 对 to agree with a fact or confirm you understand. It is stronger than 嗯 and often appears in the phrase 对，对 (duì, duì).
是吗
really? is that so?
shì ma (shì is 4th tone; ma is neutral)
Use 是吗 to show mild surprise or interest. It invites the speaker to say more without directly asking a full question.
真的吗
really? for real?
zhēn de ma (zhēn is 1st tone; de and ma are neutral)
Stronger surprise than 是吗. Use it when the news is unexpected or impressive.
然后呢
and then? what happened next?
rán hòu ne (rán is 2nd tone; hòu is 4th tone; ne is neutral)
Use 然后呢 to ask the speaker to continue a story. It is a friendly way to keep the conversation moving.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Backchannels are short and often repeated. You can say 嗯，嗯 (ǹg, ǹg) or 对，对 (duì, duì) to show steady attention. To show interest, use 是吗 (shì ma) or 真的吗 (zhēn de ma). To ask for more, use 然后呢 (rán hòu ne). These phrases usually come after the other person finishes a short idea, not in the middle of a word. For example: A: 我昨天去北京了。(Wǒ zuótiān qù Běijīng le.) B: 是吗？(Shì ma?) A: 对，我去了长城。(Duì, wǒ qù le Chángchéng.)
When to use it
Use 嗯 and 对 when you agree or simply follow. Use 是吗 when you are surprised but not strongly. Use 真的吗 when the news is big: 我下个月结婚。(Wǒ xià ge yuè jiéhūn.) 真的吗？(Zhēn de ma?) Use 然后呢 when you want the story to continue: 然后呢？你做什么了？(Rán hòu ne? Nǐ zuò shénme le?) Avoid using 对 when you disagree; 对 means you accept the information as correct. If you do not understand, say 不好意思，我没听懂 (Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ méi tīngdǒng) instead of a backchannel.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
我昨天去了一家新饭馆。
I went to a new restaurant yesterday.Wǒ zuótiān qù le yì jiā xīn fànguǎn.是吗？好吃吗？
Really? Was it good?Shì ma? Hǎo chī ma?很好吃。他们的面条特别有名。
It was delicious. Their noodles are especially famous.Hěn hǎochī. Tāmen de miàntiáo tèbié yǒumíng.真的吗？然后呢？
Really? And then?Zhēn de ma? Rán hòu ne?A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin conversation, backchannels are often shorter and softer than in English. 嗯 is very common and can be repeated. 是吗 can sound polite or slightly doubtful depending on tone; a rising tone shows interest, while a flat tone may sound like doubt. With strangers or elders, add a smile and eye contact. 然后呢 is friendly with friends but can sound pushy in formal settings; there, use 请继续说 (Qǐng jìxù shuō, please continue).
One thing to watch for
Using 是吗 as a full answer when someone asks you a question, for example answering 是吗 when asked 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?)
Try this instead: 是吗 is a backchannel, not an answer. To answer a question, give the information: 我叫李明。(Wǒ jiào Lǐ Míng.) Use 是吗 only to react to what someone tells you, as in 我昨天去北京了。是吗？
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your friend says 我下个月去中国。(Wǒ xià ge yuè qù Zhōngguó.) You are surprised. What backchannel fits best?
Show a sample answer
真的吗？(Zhēn de ma?)
真的吗 shows stronger surprise, which fits unexpected news. 是吗 is also possible, but it is milder. 嗯 would show attention without surprise.
2A speaker pauses after 我昨天买了一个新手机。(Wǒ zuótiān mǎi le yí ge xīn shǒujī.) You want them to continue. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
然后呢？(Rán hòu ne?)
然后呢 invites the speaker to continue the story. 对 would agree but not ask for more. 真的吗 would show surprise, not a request to continue.
3Someone says 这个字念 'mā'。(Zhè ge zì niàn 'mā'.) You already know this is correct. What short response shows you agree?
Show a sample answer
对。(Duì.)
对 confirms that the information is correct. 嗯 is also acceptable as a softer acknowledgment. 是吗 would suggest doubt or surprise, which does not fit here.
Use 嗯 and 对 to show you are following, 是吗 and 真的吗 to show interest, and 然后呢 to invite more. These short phrases keep you listening, not answering.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr