Difference between revisions of "The filler word "neige""
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| − | 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 unfortunate<ref>See [http://mandarinhood.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-or-that-mandarin-and-n-word.html This or That? Mandarin and the "N" word ] or [http://parisalaw.com/2009/10/12/%E8%BF%99%E4%B8%AA%E5%90%97%E9%82%A3%E4%B8%AA%E5%95%8A-sounds-like-jigga-ma-nigga/ 这个吗那个啊 sounds like “Jigga ma Nigga”] for elaboration</ref> to English speakers, but it's very common in Mandarin and you'll hear it | + | 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 unfortunate<ref>See [http://mandarinhood.blogspot.com/2010/12/this-or-that-mandarin-and-n-word.html This or That? Mandarin and the "N" word] or [http://parisalaw.com/2009/10/12/%E8%BF%99%E4%B8%AA%E5%90%97%E9%82%A3%E4%B8%AA%E5%95%8A-sounds-like-jigga-ma-nigga/ 这个吗那个啊 sounds like “Jigga ma Nigga”] for elaboration</ref> to 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 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. | ||
Revision as of 07:31, 23 November 2011
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 unfortunate[2] to 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.
Some examples:
- 就是那个...
- 我想吃那个... 那个...
- 这 个 啤酒 有点 那个... 那个...
References
- ↑ Filler (linguistics) on Wikipedia
- ↑ See This or That? Mandarin and the "N" word or 这个吗那个啊 sounds like “Jigga ma Nigga” for elaboration
Further reading
Needs academic references!
