Hesitating in Italian: Using 'beh', 'ehm', and 'non sono sicuro'
Learn to express hesitation in Italian with filler words like beh and ehm, and phrases such as non sono sicuro. Practice natural conversation strategies for uncertainty.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you need a moment to think in Italian, you can use hesitation markers like beh, ehm, and non sono sicuro. These are not the same as expressing doubt (dubitare) or certainty (essere sicuro). Hesitation is about buying time, softening your response, or showing you are thinking. This lesson teaches you common fillers and phrases to sound more natural in conversation.
By the end, you can…
- use 'beh' and 'ehm' to hesitate naturally in Italian.
- say 'non sono sicuro' and similar phrases to express uncertainty without sounding rude.
- combine fillers with phrases to create a hesitant response.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Beh...
Well...
beh
Used at the start of a sentence to show hesitation or to soften a response. Very common in informal speech.
Ehm...
Um...
ehm
A filler sound used when thinking. Similar to English 'um'. Often followed by a pause.
Non sono sicuro.
I'm not sure.
non SO-no si-KU-ro
Standard way to express uncertainty. Can be followed by 'ma...' to add more.
Dipende.
It depends.
di-PEN-de
Used when the answer is not straightforward. Often preceded by 'beh'.
Vediamo...
Let's see...
ve-DIA-mo
Literally 'we see', but used as 'let's see' when you need time to think.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
You can combine a filler like 'beh' or 'ehm' with a phrase to create a natural hesitant response. For example: 'Beh, non sono sicuro.' (Well, I'm not sure.) or 'Ehm, dipende.' (Um, it depends.) This pattern works in both formal and informal contexts, though fillers like 'ehm' are more common in casual speech. You can also use 'vediamo' alone: 'Vediamo... forse sì.' (Let's see... maybe yes.)
When to use it
Use these hesitation markers when you need time to think, when you don't want to commit to an answer, or when you want to be polite. For example, if a friend asks 'Ti piace questo film?' (Do you like this film?), you might say 'Beh, non sono sicuro...' to avoid a direct negative. In formal situations, like with a professor, you might say 'Non sono sicuro, professore' instead of using 'ehm', which can sound too casual.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Allora, vieni alla festa stasera?
So, are you coming to the party tonight?al-LO-ra, VIE-ni al-la FES-ta sta-SE-raBeh... non sono sicuro. Dipende da quanto finisco di lavorare.
Well... I'm not sure. It depends on how much work I finish.beh... non SO-no si-KU-ro. di-PEN-de da KWAN-to fi-NIS-ko di la-vo-RA-reCapisco. Ehm, fammi sapere entro le sei.
I see. Um, let me know by six.ka-PIS-ko. ehm, FAM-mi sa-PE-re EN-tro le SEIVediamo... forse sì, forse no. Ti scrivo dopo.
Let's see... maybe yes, maybe no. I'll text you later.ve-DIA-mo... FOR-se si, FOR-se no. ti SKRI-vo DO-poA little context goes a long way
In Italian conversation, fillers like 'beh' and 'ehm' are very common and not considered rude. However, in formal settings, such as a job interview or with an elder, it's better to use complete phrases like 'Non sono sicuro' or 'Mi scusi, non saprei' (I'm sorry, I wouldn't know) instead of just 'ehm'. Also, 'beh' can sometimes sound slightly impatient, so use it with a neutral tone.
One thing to watch for
Using 'non sono sicuro' to mean 'I don't know' in a context where you should say 'non lo so'.
Try this instead: 'Non sono sicuro' means 'I'm not sure', implying you might know but are uncertain. If you simply don't know, say 'Non lo so'. For example, if asked 'Che ore sono?' (What time is it?), if you have no idea, say 'Non lo so', not 'Non sono sicuro'.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you hesitate and say 'Well, it depends' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Beh, dipende.
'Beh' is a common filler for hesitation, and 'dipende' means 'it depends'. You could also say 'Ehm, dipende' or just 'Dipende' with a pause.
2What is a more formal way to say 'I'm not sure' in Italian?
Show a sample answer
Non sono sicuro.
'Non sono sicuro' is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. For extra formality, you might say 'Non ne sono certo' (I'm not certain of it), but 'non sono sicuro' is widely acceptable.
3Translate: 'Um, let's see... maybe.'
Show a sample answer
Ehm, vediamo... forse.
'Ehm' is the filler, 'vediamo' means 'let's see', and 'forse' means 'maybe'. You could also use 'beh' instead of 'ehm'.
Use 'beh' and 'ehm' to buy time, and 'non sono sicuro' or 'dipende' to express uncertainty politely. Practice combining them for natural hesitation.
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