Japanese - Social Fillers

Lesson 85 of 168

Two friends chatting in Japanese at a cafe, using small filler phrases to keep the conversation smooth — lesson about Japanese social fillers.

Goal: Small phrases that keep conversation smooth

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome to Lesson 85 — a short, friendly practice session. We'll polish little phrases that act like social glue: small words that help you pause, soften opinions, or bring the conversation back to the point.

Level A2: In this lesson you'll practice four common Japanese fillers: とにかく (Tonikaku, anyway), 正直に言うと (Shōjiki ni iu to, to be honest), ___と思います (___ to omoimasu, I think...), and ええと (Ēto, let me see). These are CEFR-aligned phrases that help you pause, give opinions, and keep small talk flowing — perfect for everyday conversations and polite exchanges.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Hear and repeat four useful fillers: とにかく (Tonikaku), 正直に言うと (Shōjiki ni iu to), ___と思います (___ to omoimasu), ええと (Ēto).
  • Use these phrases to pause naturally, soften opinions, and return to the main point in simple conversations.
  • Level A2: Feel more confident adding short social phrases into your spoken Japanese.
A cozy scene of a learner listening and repeating short Japanese phrases like とにかく and ええと to practice small-talk skills.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

とにかく、___。

Tonikaku, ___.

Anyway, ___.

Meaning: Anyway, ___. / In any case, ___.

When to use: Use this when you want to return to or summarize the main point, or move the conversation along.

話が長いけど、とにかく結論を教えてください。

Hanashi ga nagai kedo, tonikaku ketsuron o oshiete kudasai.

The story is long, but anyway, please tell me the conclusion.
忙しいから、とにかく明日話しましょう。

Isogashii kara, tonikaku ashita hanashimashō.

I'm busy, so anyway let's talk tomorrow.

正直に言うと、___。

Shōjiki ni iu to, ___.

To be honest, ___.

Meaning: To be honest, ___.

When to use: Use this to introduce or soften a personal opinion; more polite than just saying '正直、'.

Tip: Don't shorten it to 正直だけ in polite speech; 正直に言うと is safer when being polite.

正直に言うと、今日はあまり気分が良くないです。

Shōjiki ni iu to, kyō wa amari kibun ga yokunai desu.

To be honest, I'm not feeling very well today.
正直に言うと、そのアイデアは面白いと思います。

Shōjiki ni iu to, sono aidea wa omoshiroi to omoimasu.

To be honest, I think that idea is interesting.

___と思います。

___ to omoimasu.

I guess ___.

Meaning: I think ___. / I guess ___. (a tentative opinion)

When to use: Use this to soften statements and give a polite opinion; insert a plain-form clause before と思います。

Tip: Beginner mistake: leaving out the plain form 'だ' for nouns/na-adjectives (say 学生だと思います, not 学生と思います).

明日は雨が降ると思います。

Ashita wa ame ga furu to omoimasu.

I think it will rain tomorrow.
彼は正しいと思います。

Kare wa tadashii to omoimasu.

I think he is right.

ええと、___。

Ēto, ___.

Let me see, ___

Meaning: Let me see... / Well... (pause filler while thinking)

When to use: Use ええと to buy a moment while you think; it's neutral and common in many contexts.

ええと、明日の予定はどうだったかな？

Ēto, ashita no yotei wa dō datta kana?

Hmm, what was tomorrow's plan again?
ええと、少し考えさせてください。

Ēto, sukoshi kangaesasete kudasai.

Let me see, please let me think a bit.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Deciding whether to go to a movie tonight

Anna and David decide on an evening plan, using fillers such as 正直に言うと and ___と思います while talking about movies.

What are Anna and David deciding about?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

ええと、今夜映画に行く？

Ēto, kon'ya eiga ni iku?

Let me see, shall we go to a movie tonight?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

正直に言うと、あまり観たい作品がない。

Shōjiki ni iu to, amari mitai sakuhin ga nai.

To be honest, there aren't many films I want to see.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

とにかく、何か決めよう。

Tonikaku, nanika kimeyō.

Anyway, let's decide on something.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

そうだね。コメディーがいいと思います。

Sō da ne. Komedī ga ii to omoimasu.

Right. I think a comedy would be good.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

ええと、どの映画が面白いかな？

Ēto, dono eiga ga omoshiroi kana?

Hmm, which movie would be interesting?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

じゃあ、コメディーを探しましょう。

Jā, komedī o sagashimashō.

Okay, let's look for a comedy.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means 'To be honest, ...'?

Which phrase is used as a short pause while you think?

Which phrase helps you return to the main point or move the conversation along?

Which phrase is the best way to soften your opinion politely?

Q: How is this restaurant? A: Um... to be honest, I think it's a bit expensive.

このレストラン、どう？ ええと、___ちょっと高いと思います。

The talk was long. Anyway, to conclude, we don't have enough budget.

話が長かったね。___結論を言うと、予算が足りません。

I think this project will take time.

このプロジェクトは時間がかかる___。

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

とにかく、___。

Tonikaku, ___.

Anyway, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

正直に言うと、___。

Shōjiki ni iu to, ___.

To be honest, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

___と思います。

___ to omoimasu.

I think ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

ええと、___。

Ēto, ___.

Let me see, ___.