A Crash Course in “French Filler Words” (Eh bien, tu vois, genre...)

Introduction: Why Speaking French Fluently Isn’t Just About Grammar

You’ve studied French for months—or maybe years. You’ve got a handle on verb conjugations. You know when to use the subjunctive. You can describe your weekend plans or ask for directions in a museum-clear accent. But when you listen to real French conversations, something still feels off.

French people speak in a way that’s messier, quicker, more casual, and—most of all—full of little words that don’t show up in textbooks. You hear things like:

• Eh ben, c’est pas si grave.

• Tu vois, j’ai pas envie de sortir ce soir.

• Genre, il m’a regardée comme ça, quoi.

What are these words? Why are they everywhere? And why can’t you find them in your grammar book?

Welcome to the world of French filler words—those small, seemingly meaningless expressions that give spoken language its rhythm, emotion, and spontaneity. Just like “well,” “you know,” “like,” or “so” in English, French speakers use filler words constantly. They help stall for time, soften statements, express doubt or surprise, add flavor to a story, or simply sound more human.

If your goal is to understand (and sound like) real French speakers, filler words are not optional—they’re essential.

In this crash course, we’ll take you deep into the most common French filler words, breaking them down by category, function, tone, and register. You’ll learn what they mean, how they’re used in everyday speech, and when (and when not) to use them yourself. Think of this as your unofficial guide to sounding fluent—even if you’re still building vocabulary.

Let’s dive in and give your French that extra layer of authenticity.

1. What Are Filler Words—and Why Do We Use Them?

Filler words are the words we use to:

• Buy time while thinking (uh, well, I mean)

• Soften the tone of what we say

• Show doubt, uncertainty, or transition

• Mimic natural speech rhythm

• Express emotion, sarcasm, emphasis, or fatigue

They’re often omitted in writing but dominate conversation. In fact, they’re one of the clearest markers of a native speaker.

In French, they’re known as mots de remplissage, mots de conversation, or tics de langage.

The best part? You don’t have to be fluent to use them. Even beginner learners can start integrating filler words to sound more natural and confident in everyday speech.

2. Essential French Filler Words (with Examples)

Let’s break these down into categories for easier learning.

🎭 Expressing Emotion or Emphasis

1. Eh bien / Eh ben

Used to show surprise, doubt, hesitation, or transition. Often sounds like “Well…”

• Eh bien, je ne m’y attendais pas !

• Eh ben, t’as vu l’heure ?

“Eh ben” is the more casual, contracted version of “Eh bien” and is common in speech.

2. Bah

Spoken hesitation, often replacing eh bien or “uhhh.”

• Bah… je sais pas, moi.

• Bah oui ! (Of course!)

💬 Keeping the Conversation Going

3. Tu vois

“You see?” Often used for confirmation or to keep the listener engaged.

• Il était super bizarre, tu vois ?

• Tu vois ce que je veux dire ?

Can be used multiple times in one sentence in casual speech.

4. Quoi

Used at the end of sentences to intensify or give a vague conclusion. Doesn’t translate easily into English but is similar to “you know” or “right?”

• C’est un peu nul, quoi.

• J’étais trop fatiguée, quoi.

Used frequently, especially in informal speech. It gives a casual tone or softens statements.

5. Ben oui / Ben non

Used like “well, yeah” or “well, no.” The ben is a contraction of eh bien.

• Ben oui, je suis d’accord.

• Ben non, pas du tout !

🌀 Indicating Approximation or Vagueness

6. Genre

Used like “like” in English, especially by younger speakers. Can indicate approximation or introduce an example.

• Il était genre super énervé.

• Genre, t’as pas compris ce que j’ai dit ?

It can also be used as a discourse marker, like “I mean” or “you know.”

7. Enfin

Literally “finally,” but used in conversation to correct yourself, express hesitation, or soften tone.

• Je veux dire… enfin, je sais pas trop.

• Enfin bref, on s’en fout.

⏸️ Buying Time to Think

8. Euh

The French equivalent of “uh” or “um.”

• Euh… je pense que c’est possible.

• Euh… t’as fini ?

You’ll hear this constantly. Use it to slow down and collect your thoughts.

9. Ben…

Another hesitation word. Similar to “euh,” but with more of a “well…” implication.

• Ben… peut-être qu’on pourrait y aller plus tard.

📚 Structuring and Clarifying

10. Donc

Means “so” or “therefore.” Often used to transition or draw conclusions.

• Donc, on se retrouve à 18h ?

• Je suis malade, donc je reste chez moi.

Common in both formal and informal French.

11. Alors

Can mean “so,” “then,” “well,” or “anyway.” Extremely versatile.

• Alors, qu’est-ce qu’on fait ?

• Alors là, je suis choquée.

Also used as a prompt to continue a conversation.

12. Bref

Means “anyway” or “long story short.” Often signals the speaker is wrapping up or skipping details.

• Bref, j’ai raté le train.

• C’était une galère, bref.

3. The Cultural Side of Filler Words

French filler words vary by region, generation, and social group. Younger people tend to say genre, tu vois, en mode(another “like”), while older speakers may stick with eh bien, bon, and écoute.

Also note:

• Parisian filler usage can be more intense and performative.

• Southern French may include hein (used like “right?”).

• Quebecois French has unique fillers like là, fait que, and genre là.

Understanding these nuances helps you match your tone to the context—and avoid sounding out of place.

4. How to Practice French Filler Words (and Sound Natural)

✅ Step 1: Listen Intentionally

Watch casual French media—YouTubers, interviews, reality TV, and podcasts. Pay attention to how often filler words show up.

✅ Step 2: Shadow Native Speakers

Repeat phrases exactly as you hear them. Copy the intonation and rhythm, not just the words.

✅ Step 3: Practice Role-Play

Create scenarios:

• Ordering at a café

• Telling a story to a friend

• Complaining about your day

Add filler words just like you would in English.

✅ Step 4: Record Yourself

Speak on your phone about your day or narrate what you’re doing. Add bah, genre, tu vois, quoi where it fits.

✅ Step 5: Use Them with Intention

Start small. Add euh or donc when you pause. Then experiment with tu vois and quoi in casual chats.

5. Bonus: Filler Word Combos You’ll Actually Hear

In real life, filler words often come in clusters:

• Ben du coup voilà. – “Well so yeah, that’s that.”

• Eh ben tu vois ? – “Well, you see?”

• Euh, genre, je sais pas… – “Uh, like, I don’t know…”

• Donc voilà, quoi. – “So yeah, you know.”

These combos add rhythm and familiarity to your speech—like a native speaker’s verbal fingerprint.

FAQs: French Filler Words

❓Are filler words “bad French”?

Not at all. They’re part of natural speech. Even educated speakers use them daily. The key is knowing when and how much to use.

❓Will using them help me sound more fluent?

Absolutely. Filler words show fluency and comfort with the language’s rhythm. They also help you keep talking when you’re unsure.

❓Can I use them in writing?

Rarely. Filler words are mostly for speech. In emails, essays, or formal communication, they should be avoided unless used deliberately for voice or style.

❓Which ones should beginners start with?

Start with euh, donc, and ben. These are easy to integrate and very common.

❓What if I overuse them?

That’s part of the learning process. Native speakers overuse them too! Over time, your usage will become more natural.

Final Thoughts—and How We Can Help

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we don’t just teach grammar—we teach you how to really speak. Our French classes focus on authentic conversation skills, helping you understand and use the real language spoken in cafés, homes, and workplaces across the francophone world.

Whether you’re a beginner building your first sentences or an advanced learner trying to sound more natural, our small-group and private classes will help you master everything from filler words to fluent storytelling.

🗓️ Ready to sound like a real French speaker, not a textbook?
📍 Join us in-person or online. Classes for all levels.

👉 Click here to sign up and let your French flow naturally—tu vois ?

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