Filler Words and Discourse Markers | Spanish (Latin America) Grammar

Natural speech in any language is full of small words that give the speaker a moment to think, signal agreement, or connect ideas. In Spanish they are called muletillas ("little crutches") or marcadores del discurso (discourse markers). Using them makes you sound dramatically more fluent.

Starting a sentence

These words buy you a second before you begin.

bueno (well)

Bueno, creo que tienes razón.

Well, I think you're right.

Bueno, vamos a empezar.

Okay, let's get started.

pues (well / so)

Pues no sé qué decirte.

Well, I don't know what to tell you.

Pues, me parece buena idea.

Well, I think it's a good idea.

a ver (let's see)

A ver, ¿qué fue lo que pasó?

Let's see, what happened?

A ver, déjame pensar.

Let me think.

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Pues is everywhere in Latin American speech and is more neutral than English "well". In Colombia, Mexico, and Central America, you will hear it at the beginning, middle, and end of sentences.

Connecting ideas

entonces (so / then)

Entonces, ¿qué hacemos?

So, what do we do?

No tenía dinero, entonces me fui caminando.

I didn't have money, so I walked.

o sea (I mean / that is)

Es caro, o sea, demasiado caro.

It's expensive, I mean, way too expensive.

O sea, no quiero ir.

I mean, I don't want to go.

es decir (in other words)

Es directo, es decir, dice lo que piensa.

He's direct, meaning he says what he thinks.

digamos (let's say)

Digamos que no fue la mejor idea.

Let's just say it wasn't the best idea.

Hesitation fillers

These cover the pauses while you search for a word.

este (umm)

Very common in Mexico and Central America.

Este… no me acuerdo del nombre.

Umm… I don't remember the name.

eh (uh)

Eh, creo que es en la calle siete.

Uh, I think it's on Seventh Street.

Getting attention

mira / mire (look)

Mira, yo te explico.

Look, let me explain.

Mire, señora, lo siento mucho.

Look, ma'am, I'm very sorry.

oye / oiga (hey / listen)

Oye, ¿me pasas la sal?

Hey, can you pass me the salt?

Oiga, ¿sabe qué hora es?

Excuse me, do you know what time it is?

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Oye and mira with their formal forms oiga and mire are tú/usted pairs. Match the one you use to how you're addressing the person. See greetings.

Agreement and reaction

claro (of course / sure)

—¿Puedo llamarte mañana? —Claro.

—Can I call you tomorrow? —Sure.

Claro que sí.

Of course.

por supuesto (of course)

Por supuesto que te ayudo.

Of course I'll help you.

vale (okay)

More common in Spain, but widely understood.

Vale, nos vemos a las ocho.

Okay, see you at eight.

dale (okay / go for it)

The Latin American equivalent, especially in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.

Dale, nos vemos el viernes.

Okay, see you Friday.

Full conversational flow

Watch how fillers fit together in real speech.

—Oye, ¿vamos al cine? —Pues, no sé, este… ¿qué película? —A ver, hay una nueva que dicen que está buena. —Bueno, dale, vamos.

—Hey, want to go to the movies? —Well, I don't know, umm… which movie? —Let's see, there's a new one they say is good. —Okay, sure, let's go.