Chinese word

嗯

Pronunciation

Pinyinǹ

Meaning

  • interjectionyes

Example

你今天忙吗？嗯，有点儿。nǐ jīn tiān máng ma ǹ yóu diǎnr

Are you busy today? Yes, a little.

Illustration for 嗯 (yes)

More examples

你觉得这个怎么样？嗯，让我想想。nǐ jué de zhè ge zěn me yàng ǹ ràng wǒ xiáng xiǎng

What do you think of this? Hmm, let me think.

Core concept

A small spoken bridge that acknowledges what was heard or leaves a moment for thought.

Common phrases

  • 嗯，让我想想ǹ ràng wǒ xiáng xiǎng

    Hmm, let me think

  • 嗯，怎么说呢ǹ zěn me shuō ne

    Hmm, how should I put it

  • 嗯，不太确定ǹ bú tài què dìng

    Hmm, I'm not quite sure

Similar words

嗯嗯ǹ ǹ: A repeated short reply used to give clear agreement.
哦ó: A short sound used when something suddenly becomes clear.
啊a: A brief exclamation used to express surprise or strong feeling.

Definition in Chinese

作为简短的应答或思考时的填充词，语气可用于表示肯定、接话或短暂犹豫。zuò wéi jián duǎn de yìng dá huò sī kǎo shí de tián chōng cí yǔ qì kě yòng yú biǎo shì kěn dìng jiē huà huò duǎn zàn yóu yù

Word origin

The character 嗯 (ń, "yes/hmm") writes a spoken response, using 口 (kǒu, "mouth") for its speech meaning and 恩 (ēn, "kindness") mainly for its sound.

Usage tips

  • A short sound often closes a turn, while a lengthened sound can keep the turn open as the speaker thinks.

Other meanings

  • hmminterjection

Word lists with this word