French word

ben

Pronunciation

IPA/bɛ̃/

Meaning

  • interjectionum

Example

Tu viens? — ben, je ne sais pas.

Are you coming? - Um, I don't know.

Illustration for ben (um)

More examples

Ben oui, c'est évident.

Well, yes, that's obvious.

Core concept

A small conversational pause that opens a reply while the speaker gathers a response.

Common phrases

  • ben oui

    Well, yes

  • ben non

    Well, no

  • ben voilà

    Well, there you have it

Similar words

euh: A short hesitation sound before words come out.
bon: A brief word used to wrap up one point and move to the next.
bah: A brief expression of mild disappointment or denial.
eh bien: A brief opener showing mild surprise or filling a pause before continuing.

Definition in French

S'emploie en langage familier pour commencer une réponse, exprimer un léger doute ou attirer un peu de temps pour réfléchir.

Word origin

Ben is the colloquial shortening of French eh bien, with bien ultimately inherited from Latin bene.

Usage tips

  • Ben is more than a hesitation sound like euh because it commonly frames a reply or signals mild surprise in informal speech.

Other meanings

  • hmminterjection

Word lists with this word