Conversation Openers and Fillers in Japanese

two women talk on sofa
 Kohei Hara/Getty Images
By
Namiko Abe
Namiko Abe
Japanese Language Expert
  • B.A., Kwansei Gakuin University
Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.
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Updated on February 25, 2020

In conversations, openers and fillers are used quite often. They don't always have specific meanings. Openers are used as signals that you are about to say something or to smooth communication. Fillers are usually used for pauses or hesitation. As with Japanese, English also has similar expressions such as "so," "like," "you know," and so on. When you have the opportunity to hear native speakers' conversation, listen carefully and examine how and when they are used. Here are some openers and fillers frequently used.

Marking a New Topic

Sore de
それで		 So
De
で		 So (informal)

Saying Something Off Topic

Tokorode
ところで		 By the way
Hanashi wa chigaimasu ga
話が違いますが		 To change the subject
Hanashi chigau kedo
話、違うけど		 To change the subject (informal)

Adding to the Current Topic

Tatoeba
たとえば		 For example
Iikaereba
言い換えれば		 In other words
Souieba
そういえば		 Speaking of
Gutaiteki ni iu to
具体的に言うと		 More concretely

Returning to the Main Topic

Jitsu wa 実は -> The fact is ~, To tell the truth

Shortening the Preliminary Topics

Sassoku desu ga さっそくですが -> May I come straight to the point?

Introducing Someone or Something You Have Just Noticed

A, Aa, Ara あ､ああ､あら

"ara" is mainly used by 
female speakers.

Note: "Aa" can also be used to show that you understand. 

Hesitation Sounds

Ano, Anou
あの､あのう		 Used to get
the listener's attention.
Eeto
ええと		 Let me see ...
Ee
ええ		 Uhh ...
Maa
まあ		 Well, say ...

Asking for Repetition

E
え
(with a rising intonation)		 What?
Haa
はあ
(with a rising intonation)		 What? (informal)
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Abe, Namiko. "Conversation Openers and Fillers in Japanese." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/japanese-conversation-openers-fillers-4077284. Abe, Namiko. (2023, April 5). Conversation Openers and Fillers in Japanese. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/japanese-conversation-openers-fillers-4077284 Abe, Namiko. "Conversation Openers and Fillers in Japanese." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/japanese-conversation-openers-fillers-4077284 (accessed June 4, 2023).