C1 · Unit 11
Fillers and hesitation
Buy thinking time without losing the thread of a conversation.
New words
well…
At the start of an answer, when you hesitate: "Ами… не знам."
(Well… I don't know.)
right?
At the end of a question, to check: "Ще дойдеш, нали?"
(You'll come, won't you?)
whatchamacallit
er
A lengthened hesitation sound, not two separate syllables.
how shall I put it
what was the word
I meant to say
no, wait
let me gather my thoughts
give me a second
what I mean is
I mean
I do not mean to interrupt
let me finish my thought
hesitation
filler word
finish saying
finish saying
A plan still taking shape
Mila, a friend from the course
Какво ще предложим за събота? Всички чакат отговор.
What shall we suggest for Saturday? Everyone is waiting for an answer.
Ами, дай ми секунда да помисля.
Well, give me a second to think.
Mila, a friend from the course
Можем да се срещнем в парка.
We could meet in the park.
Mila, a friend from the course
Но прогнозата май беше за дъжд.
But I think rain was forecast.
Не, чакай, в неделя; в събота ще вали.
No, wait, Sunday; it will rain on Saturday.
Mila, a friend from the course
Добре, неделя. А какво ще носим?
All right, Sunday. What shall we bring?
Mila, a friend from the course
Имам термос и такова…
I have a flask and a whatchamacallit…
Как беше думата? Одеяло за тревата?
What was the word? A blanket for the grass?
Mila, a friend from the course
Да, одеяло! Ще взема две.
Yes, a blanket! I will bring two.
Mila, a friend from the course
И, нека си довърша мисълта, можем да поканим и Нина.
And, let me finish my thought, we could invite Nina too.
Разбира се, слушам те.
Of course, I am listening.
Mila, a friend from the course
Вече имаме план. Този път ще запиша деня веднага.
Now we have a plan. This time I will write down the day straight away.
Grammar
"Ами"
can buy time to answer; "нали"
often seeks confirmation. "Такова"
sometimes stands in for a forgotten word. They have different roles and are not interchangeable fillers. A short pause is natural too.
Ами, дай ми секунда да си събера мислите.
Well, give me a second to gather my thoughts.
Как беше думата за малката улица без изход?
What was the word for the little street with no exit?
Examples
Исках да кажа в петък, не в четвъртък.
I meant Friday, not Thursday.
Донеси такова… как се казваше… удължителя.
Bring the whatchamacallit… what was it called… the extension lead.
Не, чакай, този час не ми е удобен.
No, wait, that time does not suit me.
Мисълта ми е да тръгнем, преди да завали.
What I mean is that we should leave before it starts raining.
В смисъл, ще се видим пред входа, а не вътре?
You mean we are meeting outside the entrance, not inside?
Нека си довърша мисълта, после ще те изслушам.
Let me finish my thought, then I will hear you out.
Ти ще вземеш ли билетите, нали така се разбрахме?
You will get the tickets, right, that is what we agreed?
При всяка заминка не е нужно да добавяш «ъ…».
You do not need to add "er" every time you hesitate.