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Quick Grammar Reference
P o r t u g u e s e O n l i n e

>>Other Words > Filler Words

More than any other set of words or phrases in the language, filler words will show other Portuguese speakers that you feel comfortable with and confident in your language skills. To Portuguese speakers, they will not be a mark of linguistic intelligence, but a mark of fluency in everyday conversation. These are small, useful words that have little meaning on their own, but fill out your sentences and add color and variety to your speech. Compare he left to well, uh, so, he left.

Please be careful to observe how speakers in a given Portuguese-speaking region use the words given in the list below, as well as others not listed here. Filler words vary from region to region, but this list represents the basic and most useful words found in the standard spoken language.

Portuguese English When to use it
ou seja... like...; I mean..., that is to say... emphasizing or expanding on something already mentioned
Bom,...; Bom...; Bom! Well,...; hmm...; ok! a momentary pause for thought; excitement or agreement
Então... So..., then... stating what happens next, drawing a conclusion, asking for a result
Pois... So..., then... stating what happens next
Ahn, Hum Uhm..., er... indecision, thought
Mas... But..., but, uh... stalling the conversation, finding an a adequate finish to your statement
Bem! Well! when impressed, shocked, or showing sudden emotion
Certo! Right!, so! moving the conversation forward
Certo?, é assim? Right?, isn't it?, isn't that right? asking for agreement or support
Como... like... vague comparison