嗯
èn/ŋ̍³⁵/
The English phrase "umm" can be translated into Chinese as 嗯 (èn).
嗯 is a popular filler word used to express hesitation or to indicate that the speaker is currently thinking.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is èn. The IPA is /ŋ̍³⁵/.
Did you know?
- In digital messaging, repeating 嗯 multiple times, such as 嗯嗯, is often used to show that the listener is actively paying attention and agreeing, rather than showing hesitation.
- The phonetic part of the character, 恩, is the same character used for 'grace' or 'kindness', showing an unexpected link between a meaningless sound and a profound concept.
- In digital messaging, many Chinese speakers use the character 嗯 to signal a 'read' receipt or a polite way to end a conversation when they have nothing left to say.
Examples in context
- I'm not sure about that, 那个, I might need to double-check.I'm not sure about that, umm, I might need to double-check.
- 呃, let me think for a moment.Umm, let me think for a moment.
- 嗯, I'm not quite sure yet.Umm, I'm not quite sure yet.
- I think, 额, we should go there tomorrow.I think, uh, we should go there tomorrow.
- 嗯，我不确定。Èn, wǒ bù quèdìng.Umm, I'm not sure.
- 嗯，让我再想想。Èn, ràng wǒ zài xiǎng xiǎng.Umm, let me think a bit more.
- 嗯，我也这么觉得。Èn, wǒ yě zhème juéde.Umm, I think so too.
Example conversation
Haoran and Yuting are discussing what to eat for dinner.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，我们晚饭吃什么？Yǔtíng, wǒmen wǎnfàn chī shénme?Yuting, what should we eat for dinner?
- 雨婷 Yuting嗯，我想吃面条。Èn, wǒ xiǎng chī miàntiáo.Umm, I want to eat noodles.
- 浩然 Haoran好，那我们去那家店吧。Hǎo, nà wǒmen qù nà jiā diàn ba.Okay, let's go to that shop then.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，浩然。Hǎo de, Hàorán.Okay, Haoran.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 嗯, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 嗯, CC BY-SA 4.0.
