Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| うーん | ūn | |
| んー | nn | [ɴː] (narrow) |
| ふむ | fumu | [ɸɯ̟mɯ̟] (narrow) |
| ふむふむ | fumufumu | [ɸɯ̟mɯ̟ɸɯ̟mɯ̟] (narrow) |
These expressions are used to indicate that a person is thinking, pondering or processing information. The form んー is an informal interjection that expresses a thoughtful pause in conversation and carries a neutral or mildly positive connotation.
Which one should you use?
While several forms express thinking, they serve different purposes. The form ふむふむ is used as a repetitive sound of active listening or nodding along to someone's explanation, rather than a sound of deep pondering. The colloquial form んーと is a filler phrase used specifically when someone is searching for a specific word or trying to recall a detail.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form んー is often used as a sentence-starting filler to signal that the speaker is currently processing a question or hesitating to answer.
How do you pronounce it?
ūn
Did you know?
- Japanese has a dedicated term, 相槌 'aizuchi', for the frequent interjections like ふむふむ that speakers use to show they are listening.
- While ふむふむ signals agreement, saying ふむ once in a low tone can sound condescending, as if a superior is judging a subordinate's explanation.
- The sound ふむ is often associated with the 'detective' trope in Japanese media, used by characters who have just spotted a crucial clue.
Examples in context
- 「今日ね、トムの妹に会ったんだ」「へえ、どんな人だった？」「んーと、メアリーとアリスを足して2で割ったみたいな感じ」"Today I met Tom's younger sister." "Oh, what is she like?" "Hmm, she seems like a combination of Mary and Alice."This sentence is useful for seeing how んー is used when someone is trying to describe or recall something.Tatoeba #2714300 by tommy_san, translation #10565375 by auxitt
- ええと、行ってみたことがないんですが…Hmm, I haven't tried going there before…
- ん〜、今日はちょっと予定が入っているかもHm~, I might have plans for today…
- うーん、明日の天気はどうかな。uun, ashita no tenki wa dou kana.Hmm, I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow.
- うーん、どれにしようか迷うなあ。uun, dore ni shiyou ka mayou naa.Hmm, I'm having a hard time deciding which one to choose.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 健太 Kenta今日の夕飯、何にする？kyou no yuuhan, nani ni suru?What should we have for dinner tonight?
- 結衣 Yuiうーん、カレーがいいかな。uun, karee ga ii kana.Hmm, maybe curry would be good.
- 健太 Kentaいいね、じゃあ作ろうか。ii ne, jaa tsukurou ka.Sounds good, shall I make it then?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、お願い！un, onegai!Yes, please!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hmm” translations and entries んー, ふむ, ふむふむ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
