Spanish - Hesitation

Lesson 90 of 159

Learner practicing Spanish hesitation phrases like 'Un segundo' and '¿Cómo se dice?' in a friendly conversation.

Goal: Phrases to buy time and sound natural in conversation

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

Ready to slow the pace and sound natural when you hesitate? This lesson helps you pause, search for words, and give gentle, unsure answers—just like native speakers do. Have fun with a little Yak Yacker charm: these phrases are the social glue that keeps conversations smooth.

Level A2: In this short lesson you’ll practice common Spanish hesitation phrases used in everyday chat. You will hear and repeat phrases for pausing (like “Un segundo”), searching for words (like “¿Cómo se dice?”), and softening answers (like “Pues, no estoy seguro.”). This CEFR-aligned practice helps you sound relaxed while you think.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use common hesitation phrases in casual conversations.
  • Practice polite ways to ask for time to think and to search for words.
  • Build confidence saying tentative responses and mild disagreements (A2).
Two friends pause and think during a chat, showing hesitation phrases used in everyday Spanish.

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.

Eh, déjame pensar.

Um, let me think.

Meaning: Um, let me think.

When to use: Use this casual filler when you need a moment to think before answering in an informal conversation.

Eh, déjame pensar... ¿qué haría yo en tu lugar?
Um, let me think... what would I do in your place?
Eh, déjame pensar antes de decir algo importante.
Um, let me think before saying something important.

Pues, no estoy seguro.

Well, I'm not sure.

Meaning: Well, I'm not sure.

When to use: Use this neutral phrase to show uncertainty before offering an opinion or answer. If you're female, change 'seguro' to 'segura'.

Tip: Beginners sometimes forget to change 'seguro' to 'segura' when speaking as a woman.

Pues, no estoy seguro de la hora exacta.
Well, I'm not sure of the exact time.
Pues, no estoy seguro; ¿quieres que lo preguntemos?
Well, I'm not sure; do you want us to ask?

Un segundo.

Just a second.

Meaning: Just a second.

When to use: Use this concise phrase to ask for a very short pause while you think or act.

Un segundo, voy por mi agenda.
Just a second, I'm going for my planner.
¿Puedes esperar un segundo? Necesito revisar algo.
Can you wait a second? I need to check something.

Dame un momento.

Give me a moment.

Meaning: Give me a moment.

When to use: Use this polite request when you need a bit more time to think or prepare; to be more formal, say 'Deme un momento'.

Dame un momento y te explico con calma.
Give me a moment and I'll explain calmly.
Dame un momento, por favor, estoy organizando mis notas.
Give me a moment, please, I'm organizing my notes.

¿Cómo se dice?

What's the word?

Meaning: What's the word?

When to use: Use this neutral question when you are searching for a specific word or need help remembering vocabulary.

¿Cómo se dice 'deadline' en español? ¿Cómo se dice?
How do you say 'deadline' in Spanish? What's the word?
¿Cómo se dice cuando algo es muy pequeño? ¿Cómo se dice...?
What's the word for when something is very small? What's the word...?

Es como ___.

It's kind of ___.

Meaning: It's kind of ___.

When to use: Use this neutral frame to give an approximate description when you can't find the exact word.

Tip: Avoid leaving the blank empty—try to give a short adjective or noun so the listener understands.

Es como un cruce entre una canción y un poema.
It's kind of a cross between a song and a poem.
Es como algo redondo y pequeño, como una moneda.
It's kind of round and small, like a coin.

Creo que tal vez ___.

I think maybe ___.

Meaning: I think maybe ___.

When to use: Use this tentative phrase to offer a possibility without sounding too direct.

Creo que tal vez deberíamos esperar al correo.
I think maybe we should wait for the mail.
Creo que tal vez ella llegue más tarde hoy.
I think maybe she'll arrive later today.

Tal vez ___, pero ___.

Maybe ___, but ___.

Meaning: Maybe ___, but ___.

When to use: Use this neutral structure to introduce a hesitant contrast or a polite disagreement.

Tal vez sea buena idea, pero podría costar mucho.
Maybe it's a good idea, but it could cost a lot.
Tal vez vayamos mañana, pero depende del clima.
Maybe we'll go tomorrow, but it depends on the weather.

A ver

Let me see.

Meaning: Let me see.

When to use: Use this common filler when you pause briefly to think before answering.

A ver... ¿qué día dijimos que era la reunión?
Let me see... what day did we say the meeting was?
A ver, creo que lo anoté en mi teléfono.
Let me see, I think I wrote it down on my phone.

¿Cómo te digo?

How can I say it?

Meaning: How can I say it?

When to use: Use this neutral phrase when searching for the right wording or trying to phrase an idea clearly.

¿Cómo te digo? Es algo que pasa cuando... no sé.
How can I say it? It's something that happens when... I don't know.
¿Cómo te digo? Es complicado explicarlo en pocas palabras.
How can I say it? It's complicated to explain in few words.

Estoy tratando de acordarme.

I'm trying to remember.

Meaning: I’m trying to remember.

When to use: Use this natural phrase to show you're attempting to recall information or a word.

Estoy tratando de acordarme del nombre del actor.
I'm trying to remember the actor's name.
Estoy tratando de acordarme dónde dejé las llaves.
I'm trying to remember where I left the keys.

Es difícil de explicar.

It's hard to explain.

Meaning: It’s hard to explain.

When to use: Use this neutral sentence when the idea is tricky to put into words.

Es difícil de explicar, pero la sensación fue muy extraña.
It's hard to explain, but the feeling was very strange.
Es difícil de explicar cómo funciona sin una demostración.
It's hard to explain how it works without a demonstration.

No me acuerdo exactamente.

I can't remember exactly.

Meaning: I can’t remember exactly.

When to use: Use this neutral hedge when you can't recall details with confidence.

No me acuerdo exactamente de la fecha, lo siento.
I can't remember the exact date, sorry.
No me acuerdo exactamente cómo se llama ese plato.
I can't remember exactly what that dish is called.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna asks David about a movie, David hesitates and searches for the word.

Anna and David use phrases such as 'A ver...' and 'Estoy tratando de acordarme.' while they search for words.

Who is trying to remember a word?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

A ver... ¿cómo se llama la película que vimos?

Let me see... what's the name of the movie we watched?

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Eh, déjame pensar. Estoy tratando de acordarme.

Um, let me think. I'm trying to remember.

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

¿Cómo te digo? Es como una comedia romántica, pero con música.

How can I say it? It's like a romantic comedy but with music.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

¿Cómo se dice... 'musical'?

What's the word... 'musical'?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

Sí, eso. Tal vez sea 'La Ciudad del Jazz', pero no me acuerdo exactamente.

Yes, that. Maybe it's 'La Ciudad del Jazz', but I can't remember exactly.

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Dame un momento, voy a buscar en mi teléfono.

Give me a moment, I'll check my phone.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase asks for a very short pause?

Which phrase means 'I'm trying to remember.'?

Which phrase would you use to introduce a hesitant contrast (Maybe..., but...)?

Which filler phrase means 'Let me see.'?

When you need a slightly longer polite ask for time, you say: 'Dame un momento.'

When you need a slightly longer polite ask for time, you say: '___'.

You can't remember the exact detail, so you say: 'No me acuerdo exactamente.'

You can't remember the exact detail, so you say: '___'.

You ask someone, 'What's the word?' and say: '¿Cómo se dice?'

You ask someone, 'What's the word?' and say: '___'.

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:

Eh, déjame pensar.

Um, let me think.

Say this phrase out loud:

Pues, no estoy seguro.

Well, I'm not sure.

Say this phrase out loud:

Un segundo.

Just a second.

Say this phrase out loud:

Dame un momento.

Give me a moment.

Say this phrase out loud:

¿Cómo se dice?

What's the word?

Say this phrase out loud:

Es como ___.

It's kind of ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Creo que tal vez ___.

I think maybe ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

Tal vez ___, pero ___.

Maybe ___, but ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

A ver

Let me see.

Say this phrase out loud:

¿Cómo te digo?

How can I say it?

Say this phrase out loud:

Estoy tratando de acordarme.

I'm trying to remember.

Say this phrase out loud:

Es difícil de explicar.

It's hard to explain.

Say this phrase out loud:

No me acuerdo exactamente.

I can't remember exactly.