Sounding Like a Native in Japanese: Listener Responses and Filler Words

Do you wish to sound more like a native Japanese speaker?
In this article, we introduce listener responses and filler words—key elements of everyday conversation that most grammar textbooks do not cover. Once you get the hang of them, your Japanese will sound more natural and your meaning will come across more smoothly.

Mastering grammar alone does not necessarily lead to speaking in a way that sounds natural to Japanese people. In Japanese communication, attentive listening—the skill of trying to understand the speaker’s intentions and emotions on a deeper level—is highly valued. Among these qualities, empathy plays an especially important role.
This form of empathy does not mean simply agreeing with the other person. Rather, it refers to the attitude of accepting the speaker’s perspective, as in the sentiment: “I see—that is how you feel.”
The behaviors that concretely express this kind of attentive, empathetic communication are listener responses and filler words.

Listener responses are verbal signals used to show the speaker, “I’m listening to you.”
In Japanese communication, conversations without these responses can make the speaker feel uneasy, wondering whether the other person is interested or even paying attention.

Filler words, on the other hand—such as “eetto” or “anoo”—are not simply mistakes or hesitations, but serve important communicative functions. These expressions reveal the speaker’s thinking process while searching for the appropriate expressions, and they also communicate consideration, softening statements so they do not sound overly direct or assertive.

Listener responses are a practical expression of attentive listening, and using them appropriately according to TPO—time, place, and occasion—is essential.

はい(Hai):
The most formal and foundational listener response. It is used in business settings or when speaking to someone of higher status. However, overusing hai can sound mechanical, and using it among close friends may create unnecessary distance.

ええ(Ee):
Slightly more formal than hai, and softer in tone.

うん(Un):
A casual listener response used among friends or family. It should not be used with superiors, as it is considered too informal.

In Japanese communication, it is important to avoid evaluating the other person and instead adopt an attitude of acceptance.

なるほど(Naruhodo):
Although often translated as “I see,” naruhodo can carry a nuance of evaluation or judgment, as if the listener is assessing what the speaker has said. For this reason, it is generally advisable to avoid using it when speaking to superiors.

たしかに(Tashikani):
Similarly, tashikani conveys agreement in the sense of judging the speaker’s statement as “correct.” Because this also implies evaluation, it is rarely used when addressing superiors.

These expressions convey acceptance rather than evaluation and can be used when speaking to superiors as alternatives to naruhodo or tashikani.

・そうですね(Sō desu ne)
・おっしゃる通りですね(Ossharu tōri desu ne)
・そういうことだったんですね(Sō iu koto datta n desu ne)

Filler words such as “あのー(anoo)” and “えーと(eetto)” may sound like bad habits at first. In reality, however, they play an important role in communication and are frequently used by native speakers, as they signal both the speaker’s internal thought process and consideration for the listener.

えーと(Eetto):
This filler is used when a speaker is searching for an answer or recalling information, signaling that the speaker is still thinking.

Example: “What did you have for dinner yesterday?” → “eetto… it was curry.”

あのー(Anoo):
This filler is not used when searching for an answer. Rather, it signals that the speaker is about to say something with hesitation—such as raising a delicate topic or making a request. It works as a verbal “softener,” showing consideration for the listener.

Example: 「あのー、すみません。駅はどちらですか？(Anoo…sumimasen ekiwa dochiradesuka)」
:Excuse me, where is the station?”

Filler words are not errors. When used intentionally, they bring a more natural, human quality to communication.

Let’s take a look at how the listener responses and filler words introduced earlier appear in actual conversation, comparing ineffective examples with appropriate ones.

Inappropriate Example (TPO Misuse)
Teacher: 「レポート、読みましたよ。(Repōto, yomimashita yo.)
– “I’ve read your report.”
Student: 「あ、うん。(A, un.)」
– “Oh, yeah.” (Too casual / impolite)
Teacher: 「一点だけ。(Itten dake.)」
– “There’s just one point.”
Student: 「なるほど。 (Naruhodo.)」
– “I see.” (Sounds evaluative)

Appropriate Example (Showing Respect and Acceptance)
Teacher: 「レポート、読みましたよ。」
Student: 「あ、はい！ありがとうございます。(A, hai! arigatō gozaimasu.)」
– “Oh, yes! Thank you very much.”
Teacher: 「一点だけ。」
Student: 「はい、どのような点でしょうか？(Hai, dono yō na ten deshō ka?)」
– “Yes, could you please explain which point?”

Inappropriate Example (Sounds Mechanical and Distant)
A: 「昨日、映画見てきたんだ。(Kinō, eiga mite kita n da.)」
– “I watched a movie yesterday.”
B: 「はい。( Hai.)」
– “Yes.” (Creates distance / sounds cold)
A: …
– “(Are they not interested?)”

Appropriate Example
(Showing Empathy and Encouraging the Conversation)
A: 「昨日、映画見てきたんだ。」
B: 「へえ、映画？ (Hee, eiga?)」
– “Oh, really? A movie?”
A: 「それが、すごく面白くて。(Sore ga, sugoku omoshirokute.)」
– “It was really interesting.”
B:「本当？どんなところが？( Hontō? Donna tokoro ga?)」
– “Really? What part did you like?”

The most effective way to develop natural use of listener responses and filler words is shadowing. Because these expressions depend more on timing, rhythm, and intonation than on the words themselves, simply memorizing them is not sufficient. Shadowing allows learners to train listening and speaking skills simultaneously.

When practicing, it is important to choose materials that contain natural conversations with spontaneous reactions—such as dramas, interviews, or variety shows—rather than news broadcasts or formal speeches. Pay close attention not only to the main speaker’s lines, but also to the listener’s reactions, such as “un” or “hee,” noting their timing and intonation. Then, try to mimic the entire exchange as closely as possible.

Mastering listener responses and filler words is an essential skill for making Japanese conversations smoother and more natural. At TCJ, learners are guided by experienced instructors to acquire practical Japanese—language that is actually used in real-life communication—through careful, supportive instruction that goes beyond what textbooks can offer. Join TCJ and take a step toward sounding more like a native speaker.

Kaneko, Yasuko & Ninomiya, Rika (2019). A Study on the Use of “Hai” and “Ee”: A Survey Using Manga-Based Questionnaires. ICU Japanese Language Education Research, No. 17, pp. 23–37.

Inoue, Akemi (2024). Alternative Expressions for “Naruhodo”: Seven Responses That May Sound Rude—and How to Make a Better Impression. All About (official SNS).