Chinese Fillers: Sound Natural with 那个, 就是, 然后
Learn to use Mandarin fillers like 那个, 就是, 然后, 怎么说呢, and 你知道 to pause, soften, and sound more natural in conversation.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In real Mandarin conversation, speakers rarely deliver perfectly planned sentences. They pause, hesitate, and soften what they say with small filler expressions. These fillers do not add much literal meaning, but they make speech sound natural and give you time to think. This lesson focuses on five common Mandarin fillers: 那个 (nà ge), 就是 (jiù shì), 然后 (rán hòu), 怎么说呢 (zěn me shuō ne), and 你知道 (nǐ zhī dào). You will learn what each one does, where it typically appears, and how to avoid overusing it. Unlike discourse markers that organize whole ideas, these fillers mainly manage moment-to-moment flow. Practice them in short conversational turns, not in formal writing.
By the end, you can…
- use 那个 and 就是 to pause naturally while thinking.
- soften a statement with 怎么说呢 or 你知道.
- recognize when 然后 is a filler rather than a sequence word.
- avoid overusing fillers in formal or written Chinese.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
那个
um; you know; that thing
nà ge
Used when hesitating or searching for a word. Often repeated: 那个，那个…… It can also literally mean 'that one', so context matters.
就是
like; I mean; that is
jiù shì
Softens or clarifies what you just said. Often followed by a short pause: 就是，我也不太确定。
然后
and then; like; so
rán hòu
Literally means 'then', but in conversation it often acts as a filler when telling a story or explaining steps.
怎么说呢
how should I put it; you know
zěn me shuō ne
Signals that you are choosing your words carefully. Useful before a sensitive or complicated answer.
你知道
you know
nǐ zhī dào
Checks shared understanding or softens a claim. Often followed by 吧 or a pause: 你知道吧，这事儿挺麻烦的。
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Fillers usually sit at the beginning of a clause or right before a key word. For example: 那个，我明天可能不去。 (Um, I might not go tomorrow.) 就是，我觉得他有点生气。 (I mean, I think he's a bit angry.) 然后，我们就走了。 (And then, we left.) 怎么说呢，这个问题很难回答。 (How should I put it, this question is hard to answer.) 你知道，我不是故意的。 (You know, I didn't mean it.) Notice that the filler adds a pause and a conversational tone, but the main sentence still works without it.
When to use it
Use fillers in casual spoken Mandarin: chatting with friends, telling a story, or buying something at a market. They buy you time and make you sound less like a textbook. But do not use them in formal writing, presentations, or job interviews unless you are deliberately imitating speech. Also, do not stack too many: 那个，就是，然后，你知道…… sounds scattered. One filler per short turn is usually enough. In northern China, 那个 is very common; in some southern areas, 就是 or 然后 may appear more often. Listen to local speakers and adjust.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你昨天怎么没来？
Why didn't you come yesterday?nǐ zuó tiān zěn me méi lái那个，我本来想去的，但是，就是，突然有点事。
Um, I originally wanted to go, but, I mean, something suddenly came up.nà ge, wǒ běn lái xiǎng qù de, dàn shì, jiù shì, tū rán yǒu diǎn shì你知道吧，大家都等你呢。
You know, everyone was waiting for you.nǐ zhī dào ba, dà jiā dōu děng nǐ ne怎么说呢，我真的不是故意的。然后，我手机也没电了。
How should I put it, I really didn't mean it. And then, my phone died too.zěn me shuō ne, wǒ zhēn de bú shì gù yì de. rán hòu, wǒ shǒu jī yě méi diàn leA little context goes a long way
Fillers are more accepted in spoken Mandarin than in many formal English settings, but frequency varies by region and generation. Younger speakers in cities may use 然后 and 就是 very often, while older speakers may prefer 那个 or simply pause. Using a filler with the wrong tone can sound impatient or vague, so keep your tone light and friendly. In writing, remove fillers unless you are quoting speech.
One thing to watch for
Using 那个 as a filler in every sentence, even when you mean the literal phrase 'that one'.
Try this instead: Reserve 那个 for hesitation or word-searching. If you mean a specific object, point or clarify: 那个杯子 (that cup). If you just need a pause, use 就是 or 怎么说呢 instead. Example: 就是，我不太确定。 (I mean, I'm not sure.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You are telling a friend why you were late. Add one filler to sound natural: 我迟到了，因为路上堵车。
Show a sample answer
那个，我迟到了，因为路上堵车。
那个 at the start signals hesitation and softens the excuse. 就是 or 你知道 could also work, depending on tone.
2Which filler best fits before a sensitive answer: 那个, 然后, or 怎么说呢?
Show a sample answer
怎么说呢
怎么说呢 signals careful word choice before a sensitive or complicated answer. 那个 is more general hesitation; 然后 is more narrative.
3Rewrite this sentence to remove the filler for formal writing: 然后，我们决定取消会议。
Show a sample answer
我们决定取消会议。
In formal writing, drop 然后 unless it marks a real sequence. The sentence is clearer without the filler.
Use 那个, 就是, 然后, 怎么说呢, and 你知道 sparingly in casual speech to pause and soften. One filler per turn is enough; drop them in formal writing.
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