este
/ˈeste/
The Spanish word for the English filler "umm" is este.
In informal conversations, Spanish speakers use este or elongated variations like esteee to indicate a pause while they gather their thoughts, similar to how English speakers use "uhh" or "um".
Which one should you use?
While the English "umm" is a non-lexical sound, este is an actual word. Because of this, if a speaker's intent is not clear, it might be confused with its primary meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
Although it functions as a filler word in speech, este is grammatically a masculine demonstrative pronoun meaning "this".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈeste/
Did you know?
- If you use the filler esteee with a very long, dragging vowel, it can function as a signal in some dialects that you are about to give bad news or a correction.
- Spanish speakers may use digamos meaning 'let us say' as a filler word to soften a statement or search for a precise term.
- The Latin ancestor of this filler, iste, was a demonstrative pronoun used to point to something close to the listener rather than the speaker.
Examples in context
- El próximo paso es… bueno, creo que deberíamos analizarlo más detenidamente.The next step is… well, I think we should analyze it more carefully.
- Vamos a ir a… este, no sé, tal vez al cine.We are going to… um, I don't know, maybe to the movies.
- Tengo que hacer… o sea, comprar el regalo y preparar el postre.I have to do… I mean, buy the gift and prepare the dessert.
- Este, no sé qué decir.Umm, I don't know what to say.
- Creo que, este, es mañana.I think, umm, it is tomorrow.
- Es, este, un problema difícil.It is, umm, a difficult problem.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing where to go for dinner.
- Elena¿Quieres ir a la italiana?Do you want to go to the Italian place?
- DanielEste, creo que prefiero comida mexicana.Umm, I think I prefer Mexican food.
- ElenaEstá bien, vamos por tacos.Alright, let's go for tacos.
- Daniel¡Perfecto, me encanta la idea!Perfect, I love the idea!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry este, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries este, CC BY-SA 4.0.
