Simplified Chinese - Lesson 91 of 156: Hesitation Phrases

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

你知道吧，___。

Nǐ zhīdào ba, ___.“,”dialect_or_region”:“Mainland Mandarin”,“localization_status”:“candidate

You know, ___.

Meaning: You know, ___.

When to use: Use this casual opener to introduce a thought softly or to remind the listener of shared knowledge while you continue speaking.

Tip: Learners sometimes overuse a rising question tone (like 你知道吗) — 你知道吧 is softer and not a direct question.

你知道吧，我最近每天都坐地铁上班。

Nǐ zhīdào ba, wǒ zuìjìn měitiān dōu zuò dìtiě shàngbān.

You know, I've been taking the subway to work every day lately.

你知道吧，我们公司那个人有点难相处。

Nǐ zhīdào ba, wǒmen gōngsī nà ge rén yǒudiǎn nán xiāngchǔ.

You know, the person at our company is a bit hard to get along with.

更像是 ___

Gèng xiàng shì ___.“,”dialect_or_region”:“Mainland Mandarin”,“localization_status”:“candidate

It's more like ___.

Meaning: It's more like ___.

When to use: Use this to give an approximate description when the exact word isn't available or you want to reframe something.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 比较像是 which is okay, but 更像是 feels more natural when making a clear reclassification.

那家新店更像是小咖啡馆，不完全是连锁店。

Nà jiā xīn diàn gèng xiàng shì xiǎo kāfēiguǎn, bù wánquán shì liánsuǒ diàn.

That new place is more like a small café, not exactly a chain store.

他不是经理，更像是项目负责的人。

Tā bù shì jīnglǐ, gèng xiàng shì xiàngmù fùzé de rén.

He's not a manager — he's more like the person in charge of the project.

之类的吧

Zhīlèi de ba.“,”dialect_or_region”:“Mainland Mandarin”,“localization_status”:“candidate

Or something like that.

Meaning: Or something like that.

When to use: Attach this after an approximate statement to show uncertainty and keep the tone conversational.

我们可能去附近散步、喝茶之类的吧。

Wǒmen kěnéng qù fùjìn sànbù, hēchá zhīlèi de ba.

We might go for a walk nearby, have tea, or something like that.

她学的是设计，做些插画、版式之类的吧。

Tā xué de shì shèjì, zuò xiē chāhuà, bǎnshì zhīlèi de ba.

She studied design and does things like illustrations, layout, or something like that.

等等，我是说 ___。

Děngdeng, wǒ shì shuō ___.“,”dialect_or_region”:“Mainland Mandarin”,“localization_status”:“candidate

Wait, I mean ___.

Meaning: Wait, I mean ___.

When to use: Use this to pause and correct yourself quickly when you want to restate or clarify what you just said.

等等，我是说，明天的会议改在下午。

Děng děng, wǒ shì shuō, míngtiān de huìyì gǎi zài xiàwǔ.

Wait, I mean the meeting tomorrow is moved to the afternoon.

等等，我是说，不是他，而是她负责这个项目。

Děng děng, wǒ shì shuō, bù shì tā, ér shì tā fùzé zhège xiàngmù.

Wait, I mean it's not him but her who is in charge of the project.

Simplified Chinese - Hesitation Phrases

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase would you use to gently introduce something you assume the listener already knows?

Which phrase best fits here: '那家店不是很正式，_' (That place isn't very formal, _)?

Which phrase adds friendly uncertainty after listing items (walk, tea, etc.)?

When you want to quickly correct yourself mid-sentence, which phrase should you use?

He's not very angry; it's more like he's a bit disappointed.

We’ll go to the small park on the weekend, or something like that — walk and have a drink.

He's not coming this weekend — wait, I mean he'll come next week.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice