Learn to speak like a native with everyday words like bah, euh, genre, tu vois…
Why filler words matter
When learning French, we often focus on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. But one of the biggest keys to sounding natural — and understanding native speakers — lies in the small, seemingly insignificant “filler words”.
These words and expressions don’t always carry meaning themselves, but they play a huge role in fluency, tone, and rhythm. They’re the verbal glue of spoken French.
Here are some of the most common ones, with examples and tips on how to use them naturally.
🗣️ Euh…
Equivalent to: “uh” or “um” in English.
Used when you’re thinking, hesitating, or looking for your words.
— Tu viens ce soir ?
— Euh… je sais pas encore, peut-être !
🗣️ Bah…
No real equivalent in English, but super common. It expresses hesitation, indifference, or soft contradiction.
— Tu veux du dessert ?
— Bah… pourquoi pas ?
Or:
— Il est sympa, non ?
— Bah… il parle tout le temps de lui !
🗣️ Ben oui / Ben non
A variation of bah — very frequently used to say “of course” or “obviously” in a friendly way.
— T’as fait tes devoirs ?
— Ben oui !
🗣️ Tu vois (You see)
Used as a softener or to keep your listener engaged. Native speakers use it a lot — sometimes without realizing it.
C’était super compliqué, tu vois, parce qu’il pleuvait et y’avait personne…
🗣️ Genre…
Similar to “like…” in English — often used to introduce an example or exaggeration.
Il était genre hyper énervé, tu vois ?
Bonus: Natural vs textbook French
Textbook French:
No, I haven’t visited the Loire Valley yet.
Natural French:
Bah… non, j’ai pas encore visité la vallée de la Loire.
💡 How to practice:
- Listen to French podcasts, blogs, or casual conversations.
- Try shadowing (repeating after a speaker).
- Integrate 1 or 2 fillers into your own speech — progressivement !
