Difference between revisions of "The filler word "neige""
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| − | Sometimes when speaking you may blank out a bit, forget a little word or phrase, and you need something to say while gathering your thoughts. Or maybe you need to stall for a while. Well, the word | + | Sometimes when speaking you may blank out a bit, forget a little word or phrase, and you need something to say while gathering your thoughts. Or maybe you need to stall for a while. Well, the word 那个 (nèige) is just what you need. |
== General rule == | == General rule == | ||
| − | In English, words like "uhm" and "er" are used as filler<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filler_(linguistics) Filler (linguistics)] on Wikipedia</ref> words when you're thinking about what to say. In Chinese, 那个 (nèige) is used for this purpose. This can sound a bit | + | In English, words like "uhm" and "er" are used as filler<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filler_(linguistics) Filler (linguistics)] on Wikipedia</ref> words when you're thinking about what to say. In Chinese, 那个 (nèige) is used for this purpose. This can sound a bit "racist"<ref>See [http://mandarinhood.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-or-that-mandarin-and-n-word.html This or That? Mandarin and the "N" word] for elaboration</ref> to some English speakers, but it's very common in Mandarin and you'll hear it quite often around Chinese speakers. |
| − | 那个 can be inserted into sentences wherever you need to pause for thought. This is similar to the slang use of "like" in English, or filler words in general. | + | 那个 (nèige) can be inserted into sentences wherever you need to pause for thought. This is similar to the slang use of "umm" or "you know" or "like" in English, or filler words in general. |
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
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| + | * <em>那个</em>...我 不 和 你们一起 吃饭 了，好 吗？<span class="trans">So, ummm... I won't eat with you guys, OK?</span> | ||
| + | * 我 想 吃 <em>那个</em>... <em>那个</em>...湖南 菜。<span class="trans">I want to eat that... ummm, you know... Hunan cuisine.</span> | ||
| + | * <em>那个</em> …… 我 明天 可能 晚 点儿 到 公司。<span class="trans">Ummm... I might be a little bit late for work tomorrow.</span> | ||
| + | * <em>那个</em> …… 这样 做 不 好 吧？<span class="trans">Ummm, it's not good to do it this way?</span> | ||
| + | * <em>那个</em> …… 你 可以 做 我 的 女 朋友 吗？<span class="trans">Like... could you be my girlfriend?</span> | ||
| + | * <em>那个</em> …… 不好意思，我 要 走 了。<span class="trans">Ummmm... sorry, but I've gotta go.</span> | ||
| + | * 她 很 漂亮，就 像 <em>那个</em> …… 明星 一样。<span class="trans">She's very pretty, just like, you know, a celebrity.</span> | ||
| + | * 我 想 看 看 你 刚 买 的 <em>那个</em> …… <em>那个</em>...iPhone。<span class="trans">I‘d like to have a look at your, ummm, you know... iPhone you just bought.</span> | ||
| + | * <em>那个</em> …… 我 得 去 开会 了。<span class="trans">Ummm... I have to attend a meeting.</span> | ||
| + | * 昨天 <em>那个</em> …… <em>那个</em> …… 小笼包 真 好吃。<span class="trans">Yesterday the, you know, steamed soup dumplings were so delicious.</span> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 02:34, 5 June 2014
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Sometimes when speaking you may blank out a bit, forget a little word or phrase, and you need something to say while gathering your thoughts. Or maybe you need to stall for a while. Well, the word 那个 (nèige) is just what you need.
General rule
In English, words like "uhm" and "er" are used as filler[1] words when you're thinking about what to say. In Chinese, 那个 (nèige) is used for this purpose. This can sound a bit "racist"[2] to some English speakers, but it's very common in Mandarin and you'll hear it quite often around Chinese speakers.
那个 (nèige) can be inserted into sentences wherever you need to pause for thought. This is similar to the slang use of "umm" or "you know" or "like" in English, or filler words in general.
Examples
Some examples:
- 那个...我 不 和 你们一起 吃饭 了，好 吗？So, ummm... I won't eat with you guys, OK?
- 我 想 吃 那个... 那个...湖南 菜。I want to eat that... ummm, you know... Hunan cuisine.
- 那个 …… 我 明天 可能 晚 点儿 到 公司。Ummm... I might be a little bit late for work tomorrow.
- 那个 …… 这样 做 不 好 吧？Ummm, it's not good to do it this way?
- 那个 …… 你 可以 做 我 的 女 朋友 吗？Like... could you be my girlfriend?
- 那个 …… 不好意思，我 要 走 了。Ummmm... sorry, but I've gotta go.
- 她 很 漂亮，就 像 那个 …… 明星 一样。She's very pretty, just like, you know, a celebrity.
- 我 想 看 看 你 刚 买 的 那个 …… 那个...iPhone。I‘d like to have a look at your, ummm, you know... iPhone you just bought.
- 那个 …… 我 得 去 开会 了。Ummm... I have to attend a meeting.
- 昨天 那个 …… 那个 …… 小笼包 真 好吃。Yesterday the, you know, steamed soup dumplings were so delicious.
References
- ↑ Filler (linguistics) on Wikipedia
- ↑ See This or That? Mandarin and the "N" word for elaboration
Further reading
Needs academic references!
