Learn French 🇫🇷

well... then ...so...filler words!

hey guys !
here's the new lesson !

Every language has Things to say that don't actually mean anything, but are used , when you don't want to give a direct answer, when you encounter some awkward silence, or when you're simply looking for the right word.
Let's start !

•so, then.. = alors [a laureu] au —> o

Alors is probably the most common filler word!  The best thing about alors is that it's often not regarded as an "informal" filler word. Along with teachers, this word can be heard in speeches, business presentations and even in political proceedings. In fact, you can even use it in formal writing!

•well..= eh bien [ é {ai} bi -un]

•well..= we can say "enfin" too —> [an fain]

• well.. mmh..anyway..= bon ben [bbon bun]

• right then .. =bon alors [bbon a laureu]

•what i mean is..= c'est-à-dire [ssai a direu]

•you know ..= tu sais..[tu ssai] or vous savez (more formal) [ vou ssavai {é}]

•um.. =euh.. [euuuu..] Euh is the French equivalent of the English word "uh" or "um," and the good news is that it's used pretty much the same way. Like in English, euh is generally used as a pause or a moment to think

•anyways = bref [braifeu] the French word bref should rhyme with the English name "Steph."it's generally used to sum up a long explanation and give the "low-down" on a particular topic

•what? =quoi? [koi] example: you did what ?? = tu as fait quoi?? [tu a fai koi]

•huh? =hein [un?]

Hein translates to the English word "huh," and it can be used in many ways. Firstly, it can be used to indicate that you don't understand something that has been previously said. However, be aware that this is regarded as very rude:

Secondly, you can use hein to mean "right?" or in place of the French "n'est-ce pas ?" = [ nai {é} sseu pa?]
( Isn't that right?)

•well yes .. well no ..= Ben oui... Ben non.. [ bun ou-i.. bun non]

We know the word oui means "yes,"and non means "no," but the word ben can be seen as an informal version of the French word bien (well).

• in fact = en fait [ an fai{é}- tteu]

In fact, it can be used in formal French speech as well as in formal French writing. In the informal way, en fait means "actually." It can be used when changing your mind or trying to clarify what you're trying to say

• genre ! = [ jen-ruh]

First of all, it technically means "type" or "gender," but in informal French, it translates more to the English filler word "like." In fact, it's used in the same way "uh" or "like" is used in, like, English.
* this filler word is often pronounced very quickly in informal situations, so it can sound like jor instead of what we'd expect: jen-ruh.

•quand même = [kan maimeu ]

Last but not least, the expression quand même is a filler word with two meanings in French. First of all, it has a formal meaning of "even though" or "still," but as a filler word, it can translate as "Wow!" or "No way!" In this sense, it's used to show surprise or excitement about a given topic or revelation.

I hope this lesson will helps !
You can do it !!
Trust yourself, and don't be scared to speak !
If you wanna talk I'm here hihi ^-^ if you have any questions too ;)
XOXO 💋