Using Filler Words ('저기', '음') to Sound Native

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Using Filler Words: 저기, 음, 그게, 뭐지

Sound natural when you pause, think, or search for a word — just like native speakers do.

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Iru Helper Note

In Korean, silence can feel awkward, but filler words signal you're still thinking — not done speaking.

저기… 그게… 음… 뭐였더라…

(Um… well… hmm… what was it…)

🎯 What You'll Learn Today

Native Korean speakers use a set of filler words and hesitation sounds to hold the floor while they think. These aren't mistakes — they're part of natural conversation. Learning when and how to use 저기, 음, 그게, and 뭐지 will make your Korean sound much more natural and less scripted.

📌 Korean Filler Words and Hesitation Expressions

Expression	Meaning / Function	Notes
음…	Hmm… / Um…	Most neutral filler; used while thinking
저기…	Um… / Excuse me…	Softer than 음; also used to get attention
그게…	Well… / It's that…	Introduces something you're about to explain
그러니까…	So… / I mean…	Restates or clarifies what you just said
뭐지…	What is it… / Let me think…	Used when searching for a word
뭐였더라…	What was it again…	Searching for forgotten info
어…	Uh…	Very casual; similar to 음
잠깐만요	Just a moment	Asking for a pause
어떻게 말하지…	How do I say it…	Searching for a word or phrase
맞다, 그게 뭐지…	Right, what was it…	Remembering something half-forgotten
그래서…	So… / And so…	Transition or elaboration filler
사실은…	Actually… / The truth is…	Signals something you want to clarify

💡 Key pattern: Start with 음… or 저기… when you need a moment, then use 그게… to ease into your explanation: 음… 그게… 좀 설명하기 어려운데요. (Hmm… well… it's a bit hard to explain.)

💬 Conversations in Action

Conversation 1 — Searching for a word

A: 한국에 온 이유가 뭐예요?

(Why did you come to Korea?)

B: 음… 그게… 어떻게 말하지… 그냥 한국 문화가 좋아서요.

(Hmm… well… how do I say it… I just like Korean culture.)

A: 아, 그렇구나! 어떤 부분이요?

(Ah, I see! Which part?)

B: 저기… 음식이랑 음악이요. 특히 길거리 음식이 좋아요.

(Um… the food and music. I especially like street food.)

Conversation 2 — Remembering something

A: 저번에 갔던 카페 이름이 뭐예요?

(What was the name of the cafe we went to last time?)

B: 음… 뭐였더라… 아, 맞다! '진저' 아니에요?

(Hmm… what was it again… Ah, right! Wasn't it 'Ginger'?)

A: 아, 저기, 거기 맞아요. 다시 가고 싶다.

(Oh, um, yes that's the one. I want to go again.)

🌏 Cultural Note — Filler Words and Politeness

In Korean, using filler words appropriately shows you're engaged and thinking — it's much better than long silence. 저기 is especially useful because it works both as a filler and as a soft way to get someone's attention (like "excuse me" before asking a question). 그러니까 is very common when wrapping up a thought or rephrasing — native speakers use it constantly. Avoid overusing 어… in formal situations; 음 and 저기 are safer across contexts.

<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise

Use filler words to pause naturally while you answer. Don't rush — let the fillers do their job.

A. Someone asks where you're from. You need a moment to decide how to explain.

<summary>Answer

음… 저는 미국 출신이에요. 그게… 서부 쪽이에요.

(Hmm… I'm from the US. Well… the west side.)

</summary>

B. Someone asks your opinion on Korean food but you're still deciding what to say.

<summary>Answer

저기… 음… 정말 맛있어요. 그게, 특히 매운 음식이 좋아요.

(Um… hmm… it's really delicious. Well, I especially like spicy food.)

</summary>

C. Someone asks what you did last weekend but you're trying to remember.

<summary>Answer

음… 뭐했더라… 아, 친구랑 영화 봤어요.

(Hmm… what did I do… Ah, I watched a movie with a friend.)

</summary>

D. You want to explain something but it's hard to put into words.

<summary>Answer

그게… 어떻게 말하지… 좀 복잡해요. 그러니까, 두 가지가 같이 있는 느낌이에요.

(Well… how do I say it… It's a bit complicated. I mean, it feels like two things together.)

</summary>

E. You're asked to recommend a restaurant but can't remember the name.

<summary>Answer

음… 뭐였더라… 아, 맞다. 명동에 있는 곱창집이에요.

(Hmm… what was it again… Ah, right. It's a gopchang place in Myeongdong.)

</summary>

F. Someone asks what your favorite Korean word is and you're thinking.

<summary>Answer

저기… 음… 뭐지… '홀가분하다'요. 딱 맞는 영어 단어가 없어서요.

(Um… hmm… what is it… '홀가분하다'. Because there's no exact English word for it.)

</summary>

G. You're asked to explain why you're studying Korean.

<summary>Answer

그게… 처음에는 그냥 재미로 시작했어요. 그러니까, 드라마를 보다가 시작하게 됐어요.

(Well… at first I started just for fun. I mean, I started because I was watching dramas.)

</summary>

H. Someone asks how long you've been in Korea and you're calculating.

<summary>Answer

음… 뭐였더라… 한 6개월쯤 됐어요.

(Hmm… what was it… It's been about 6 months.)

</summary>

I. You're about to correct something you said earlier.

<summary>Answer

저기, 아까 제가 잘못 말한 것 같아요. 그게… 3시가 아니라 4시예요.

(Um, I think I said something wrong earlier. Well… it's not 3 o'clock, it's 4.)

</summary>

J. Someone surprises you with a question and you need a moment.

<summary>Answer

어… 음… 저기, 잠깐만요. 생각해 볼게요.

(Uh… hmm… um, just a moment. Let me think.)

</summary>

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Expression Reference

Expression	Nuance/Key
음…	Neutral thinking filler
저기…	Soft / polite; also attention-getter
그게…	"Well, it's that…" — intro to explanation
그러니까…	Restating / clarifying
뭐였더라…	Searching memory
어떻게 말하지…	Searching for words
잠깐만요	"One moment please"

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Tone Tip

저기 is the most versatile: use it to pause mid-sentence, to get someone's attention before a question, or to soften a correction. 음 is perfectly fine in casual conversations. In formal or professional settings, prefer 음… 그게… over 어… which can sound too casual.

</summary>

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Want more reps?

Practice answering questions with a deliberate pause: make yourself use at least one filler word before answering. This trains your brain to reach for Korean fillers instead of English ones.

📦 Practice Hub — Filler Words

Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Filler

Pick the most natural filler expression for each situation.

A. You need a moment to think of an answer. Which do you say first?

a) 잠깐만요

b) 음…

c) 사실은…

<summary>Answer

b) 음… — The most neutral pause filler while thinking.

B. You want to softly get a stranger's attention before asking a question.

a) 어…

b) 그러니까…

c) 저기…

<summary>Answer

c) 저기… — Works as both a pause filler and a polite attention-getter.

C. You're about to explain something and ease into it.

a) 그게…

b) 뭐였더라…

c) 맞다…

<summary>Answer

a) 그게… — Eases into an explanation: "Well, it's that…"

D. You're rephrasing something you just said to clarify.

a) 저기…

b) 그러니까…

c) 뭐지…

<summary>Answer

b) 그러니까… — "I mean / So…" — used to restate or clarify.

E. You've forgotten a name and you're trying to remember it.

a) 뭐였더라…

b) 사실은…

c) 그래서…

<summary>Answer

a) 뭐였더라… — "What was it again…" — for searching memory.

F. You can't find the right Korean word for what you want to say.

a) 잠깐만요

b) 어떻게 말하지…

c) 그게 맞아요

<summary>Answer

b) 어떻게 말하지… — "How do I say it…" — when searching for words.

G. You need more time in a conversation and want to ask for a moment.

a) 잠깐만요

b) 음…

c) 저기…

<summary>Answer

a) 잠깐만요 — "Just a moment" — explicitly asks for a pause.

H. In a formal setting, which filler should you avoid?

a) 음…

b) 저기…

c) 어…

<summary>Answer

c) 어… — Too casual for formal contexts. Use 음 or 저기 instead.

I. You want to signal you're about to reveal or clarify something.

a) 사실은…

b) 뭐였더라…

c) 어떻게 말하지…

<summary>Answer

a) 사실은… — "Actually / The truth is…" — signals a clarification or revelation.

J. You said something wrong and want to gently correct yourself.

a) 그러니까, 아니에요

b) 저기, 제가 잘못 말한 것 같아요

c) 뭐였더라, 맞아요

<summary>Answer

b) 저기, 제가 잘못 말한 것 같아요 — Polite self-correction opener.

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Quick Reference

Expression	Function
음…	Neutral pause filler
저기…	Soft pause / attention
그게…	Ease into explanation
그러니까…	Clarify / restate
뭐였더라…	Search memory
어떻게 말하지…	Search for words
잠깐만요	Ask for a moment
사실은…	Signal clarification
어…	Casual uh/um (informal only)

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Formality Warning

어… is fine with friends but sounds sloppy in formal contexts. Stick to 음… and 저기… when speaking with teachers, coworkers, or people you've just met.

Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation

Translate each sentence naturally, capturing the hesitation tone.

A. 음… 그게… 좀 설명하기 어려운데요.

<summary>Answer

Hmm… well… it's a bit hard to explain.

B. 저기, 잠깐만요. 좀 생각해 볼게요.

<summary>Answer

Um, just a moment. Let me think for a bit.

C. 뭐였더라… 아, 맞다! '코엑스'예요.

<summary>Answer

What was it again… Ah, that's right! It's 'COEX'.

D. 그러니까… 제가 하고 싶은 말은, 같이 가자는 거예요.

<summary>Answer

I mean… what I want to say is, I'm suggesting we go together.

E. 어떻게 말하지… 그냥 느낌이 좋다는 거예요.

<summary>Answer

How do I say it… I'm just saying it feels good.

F. 저기… 혹시 여기 앉아도 돼요?

<summary>Answer

Um… is it okay if I sit here?

G. 사실은… 저도 잘 몰라요.

<summary>Answer

Actually… I don't know either.

H. 그게… 어제 못 갔어요. 일이 생겼거든요.

<summary>Answer

Well… I couldn't go yesterday. Something came up, you see.

I. 음… 한국어로 뭐라고 하지… 'refreshing' 같은 느낌이요.

<summary>Answer

Hmm… what do you say in Korean… like the feeling of 'refreshing'.

J. 저기, 아까 제가 잘못 말한 것 같아요. 그게, 3월이 아니라 4월이에요.

<summary>Answer

Um, I think I said something wrong earlier. Well, it's not March, it's April.

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Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Korean	English
설명하기 어렵다	Hard to explain
생각해 보다	To think about it
하고 싶은 말	What I want to say
일이 생기다	Something came up
잘못 말하다	To say something wrong
느낌이 좋다	Feels good

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Translation Tip

Korean filler words rarely translate word-for-word. 그게 is often best as "well…" or "it's that…", and 그러니까 as "I mean…" or "so…". Focus on capturing the hesitation feeling rather than a literal match.

Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the right filler or hesitation expression.

A. … 잠깐만요. 생각 중이에요. (neutral thinking filler)

<summary>Answer

음 — 음… 잠깐만요. 생각 중이에요.

B. … 한국어로 어떻게 말하지… (word-search filler)

<summary>Answer

음 / 저기 — 음… 한국어로 어떻게 말하지…

C. , 잠깐 여쭤봐도 돼요? (polite attention-getter)

<summary>Answer

저기 — 저기, 잠깐 여쭤봐도 돼요?

D. … 제가 하고 싶었던 말이 그게 아니에요. (clarifying restate)

<summary>Answer

그러니까 — 그러니까… 제가 하고 싶었던 말이 그게 아니에요.

E. … 이름이… 아, '홍대'예요! (searching memory)

<summary>Answer

뭐였더라 — 뭐였더라… 이름이… 아, '홍대'예요!

F. 은… 저도 자신 없어요. (actually / truth is)

<summary>Answer

사실 — 사실은… 저도 자신 없어요.

G. … 이거 좀 복잡해요. (ease into explanation)

<summary>Answer

그게 — 그게… 이거 좀 복잡해요.

H. 말하지… 뭔가 다른 느낌이에요. (can't find the word)

<summary>Answer

어떻게 — 어떻게 말하지… 뭔가 다른 느낌이에요.

I. 만요, 다시 한번 말해 주세요. (asking for a moment)

<summary>Answer

잠깐 — 잠깐만요, 다시 한번 말해 주세요.

J. … 제가 아까 틀렸어요. 수요일이에요. (casual correction opener)

<summary>Answer

저기 / 음 — 저기… 제가 아까 틀렸어요. 수요일이에요.

📚

Sentence Starters

Filler	Use Case
음…	Any moment of thinking
저기…	Polite pause or attention
그게…	Intro to explanation
그러니까…	Restate / clarify
뭐였더라…	Memory search
어떻게 말하지…	Word search
사실은…	Reveal / clarify
잠깐만요	Explicit pause request

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Production Tip

Practice pairing two fillers: 음… 그게… is a very natural combo — it signals you're thinking AND about to explain. 저기… 잠깐만요 is useful when you need more than a second. Chaining fillers sounds natural; using zero sounds robotic.

Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion

Complete B's response using filler words naturally.

A. A: 한국어 공부한 지 얼마나 됐어요? B: (pause and answer with a filler)

<summary>Answer

음… 뭐였더라… 한 1년쯤 됐어요.

(Hmm… what was it… It's been about a year.)

B. A: 제일 좋아하는 한국 음식이 뭐예요? B: (think and answer)

<summary>Answer

저기… 음… 삼겹살이요. 그게, 자주 먹거든요.

(Um… hmm… samgyeopsal. Well, I eat it often, you see.)

C. A: 왜 한국에 관심 생겼어요? B: (explain with hesitation)

<summary>Answer

그게… 어떻게 말하지… 그냥 드라마 보다가 좋아하게 됐어요.

(Well… how do I say it… I just came to like it while watching dramas.)

D. A: 어제 뭐 했어요? B: (pause and recall)

<summary>Answer

음… 뭐했더라… 아, 집에서 쉬었어요.

(Hmm… what did I do… Ah, I rested at home.)

E. A: 'cozy'를 한국어로 뭐라고 해요? B: (search for the word)

<summary>Answer

음… 어떻게 말하지… '아늑하다'나 '포근하다'라고 할 수 있어요.

(Hmm… how do I say it… You can say '아늑하다' or '포근하다'.)

F. A: 아까 몇 시라고 했어요? B: (correct yourself)

<summary>Answer

저기, 제가 잘못 말한 것 같아요. 그게, 3시가 아니라 4시예요.

(Um, I think I misspoke. Well, it's not 3 but 4 o'clock.)

G. A: 오늘 어디 갈 거예요? B: (unsure, thinking)

<summary>Answer

음… 아직 잘 모르겠어요. 그게… 날씨 보고 결정하려고요.

(Hmm… I'm not sure yet. Well… I'm planning to decide after checking the weather.)

H. A: 그 영화 어땠어요? B: (thinking about how to describe it)

<summary>Answer

음… 그게… 어떻게 말하지… 재밌는데 좀 슬프기도 했어요.

(Hmm… well… how do I say it… It was fun but also a little sad.)

I. A: 지금 시간 있어요? B: (hesitate then respond)

<summary>Answer

저기… 잠깐만요. 지금 좀 바쁜데, 10분 후에 괜찮아요?

(Um… just a moment. I'm a bit busy now, is 10 minutes later okay?)

J. A: 솔직히 어떻게 생각해요? B: (reveal honest opinion with lead-in)

<summary>Answer

사실은… 저는 그게 별로 좋지 않은 것 같아요. 솔직히 말하면요.

(Actually… I don't think that's very good. To be honest.)

📚

Useful Phrases

Phrase	Meaning
잘못 말하다	To misspeak
날씨 보고 결정하다	Decide after checking weather
솔직히 말하면	To be honest
아직 잘 모르겠어요	I'm not sure yet
자주 먹거든요	I eat it often, you see

💡

Conversation Tip

Use 사실은… when you want to say something more candid or slightly different from what was expected. It signals "here comes the real answer." Combined with a filler first (음… 사실은…), it sounds very natural and honest.

Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice

Answer each prompt out loud, using at least one filler word naturally.

A. Someone asks what your Korean name would be. You've never thought about it.

<summary>Sample Answer

음… 뭐지… 생각해 본 적 없는데요. 그게… '나연'이 좋을 것 같아요.

(Hmm… what would it be… I've never thought about it. Well… I think '나연' would be nice.)

B. You're asked to recommend your favorite Korean movie but the title is on the tip of your tongue.

<summary>Sample Answer

저기… 뭐였더라… 아, '기생충'이요. 정말 잘 만든 영화예요.

(Um… what was it… Ah, 'Parasite'. It's a really well-made film.)

C. Explain why you find Korean interesting — but it's genuinely hard to explain.

<summary>Sample Answer

그게… 어떻게 말하지… 그냥 들을 때 느낌이 좋아요. 그러니까, 리듬이 좋다고 해야 할까요.

(Well… how do I say it… It just feels good to hear. I mean, should I say the rhythm is nice.)

D. You're asked what you had for breakfast but you honestly can't remember.

<summary>Sample Answer

음… 뭐 먹었더라… 아, 그냥 빵이요. 별로 기억이 안 나요.

(Hmm… what did I eat… Ah, just bread. I don't really remember.)

E. A Korean friend asks your honest opinion on a plan they shared. You hesitate.

<summary>Sample Answer

사실은… 그게 좀 걱정돼요. 그러니까, 시간이 충분한지 모르겠어요.

(Actually… I'm a little worried about that. I mean, I'm not sure if there's enough time.)

F. You want to get a stranger's attention to ask for directions.

<summary>Sample Answer

저기, 잠깐만요. 혹시 이 근처에 편의점이 있어요?

(Excuse me, just a moment. Is there a convenience store nearby?)

G. Someone asks what your Korean level is and you're not sure how to describe it.

<summary>Sample Answer

음… 그게… 어떻게 말하지… 중급 정도? 아직 많이 부족해요.

(Hmm… well… how do I say it… Intermediate level? I'm still lacking a lot.)

H. You need to correct something you said two minutes ago in conversation.

<summary>Sample Answer

저기, 아까 제가 틀렸어요. 그게, 월요일이 아니라 화요일이에요.

(Um, I was wrong earlier. Well, it's not Monday, it's Tuesday.)

I. Someone asks if you prefer cities or countryside. You've never really decided.

<summary>Sample Answer

음… 어떻게 말하지… 사실은 둘 다 좋아요. 그게, 기분에 따라 달라요.

(Hmm… how do I say it… Actually I like both. Well, it depends on my mood.)

J. You're wrapping up a long explanation and want to restate your main point.

<summary>Sample Answer

그러니까… 제가 말하고 싶은 건, 더 많이 연습하는 게 중요하다는 거예요.

(I mean… what I want to say is, that practicing more is what's important.)

📚

Sentence Starters

Starter	Use
음… 그게…	Think + ease into answer
저기, 잠깐만요	Get attention or pause
사실은…	Honest reveal
뭐였더라… 아, 맞다!	Memory search + recall
그러니까…	Restate / wrap up
어떻게 말하지…	Searching for the word

🌟

Speaking Challenge

For one day, ban yourself from using English filler words (um, uh, like, you know). Replace every single one with a Korean filler. Even if your sentence isn't perfect, using 음 and 저기 automatically makes you sound more immersed in Korean.

생각할 시간이 있어요. 음… 저기… 천천히 말해도 돼요! ✨