What is the Japanese equivalent of “mhm”?
up vote
21
down vote
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In English conversations, when I listen to someone speak, I have a habit of intermittently uttering "mhm" just to let the other person know I'm listening to what he/she is saying. Is there a Japanese equivalent of this? I'm thinking of "はい", but I don't know if it will come off as being too stiff.
conversations
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
add a comment |
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
In English conversations, when I listen to someone speak, I have a habit of intermittently uttering "mhm" just to let the other person know I'm listening to what he/she is saying. Is there a Japanese equivalent of this? I'm thinking of "はい", but I don't know if it will come off as being too stiff.
conversations
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
4
I believe はい is somewhat formal. More casually, you can say ん. takoboto.jp/?w=2139720
– leocreatini
Nov 30 at 6:20
2
If you're interested, these "words" are called continuers in linguistics - glossary.sil.org/term/continuer
– ymbirtt
Nov 30 at 10:50
add a comment |
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
up vote
21
down vote
favorite
In English conversations, when I listen to someone speak, I have a habit of intermittently uttering "mhm" just to let the other person know I'm listening to what he/she is saying. Is there a Japanese equivalent of this? I'm thinking of "はい", but I don't know if it will come off as being too stiff.
conversations
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
In English conversations, when I listen to someone speak, I have a habit of intermittently uttering "mhm" just to let the other person know I'm listening to what he/she is saying. Is there a Japanese equivalent of this? I'm thinking of "はい", but I don't know if it will come off as being too stiff.
conversations
conversations
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
asked Nov 30 at 5:52
PeaBrane
13517
13517
4
I believe はい is somewhat formal. More casually, you can say ん. takoboto.jp/?w=2139720
– leocreatini
Nov 30 at 6:20
2
If you're interested, these "words" are called continuers in linguistics - glossary.sil.org/term/continuer
– ymbirtt
Nov 30 at 10:50
add a comment |
4
I believe はい is somewhat formal. More casually, you can say ん. takoboto.jp/?w=2139720
– leocreatini
Nov 30 at 6:20
2
If you're interested, these "words" are called continuers in linguistics - glossary.sil.org/term/continuer
– ymbirtt
Nov 30 at 10:50
4
4
I believe はい is somewhat formal. More casually, you can say ん. takoboto.jp/?w=2139720
– leocreatini
Nov 30 at 6:20
I believe はい is somewhat formal. More casually, you can say ん. takoboto.jp/?w=2139720
– leocreatini
Nov 30 at 6:20
2
2
If you're interested, these "words" are called continuers in linguistics - glossary.sil.org/term/continuer
– ymbirtt
Nov 30 at 10:50
If you're interested, these "words" are called continuers in linguistics - glossary.sil.org/term/continuer
– ymbirtt
Nov 30 at 10:50
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
42
down vote
accepted
They're called aizuchi. はい is certainly one. うん is the more casual option. Wikipedia has the following:
In the Japanese language, Aizuchi (Japanese: 相槌 or あいづち, IPA: [aizu͍t͡ɕi]) are the frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression. Aizuchi are considered reassuring to the speaker, indicating that the listener is active and involved in the discussion.
Aizuchi are frequently misinterpreted by non-native speakers as the listener showing agreement or fully comprehending what is being said.
Common aizuchi include:
- hai (はい), ee (ええ), or un (うん) (yes, with varying degrees of formality)
- sō desu ne (そうですね) (I see.)
- sō desu ka (そうですか) (is that so?)
- hontō (本当), hontō ni (本当に), maji (マジ), or (in Kansai) honma (本真) (really)
- naruhodo (なるほど) (I see, that's right)
- nodding
These can be compared to English "yeah, yeah", "yeah, ok", "got it", "yep", "uhuh" or "go on", but are more pronounced and important in Japanese.
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
4
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
1
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
1
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
yes, one way of indicating that you are listening and the other person should continue talking is by saying "はい". However your habit of saying "mhm" would not be so out of place, actually. There is a Japanese equivalent in the ん sound. It's less "courteous" than saying "はい", but it is a typical "I'm listening" noise.
annnnnnd @leocreatini beat me to it in the comments :P
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
6
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
42
down vote
accepted
They're called aizuchi. はい is certainly one. うん is the more casual option. Wikipedia has the following:
In the Japanese language, Aizuchi (Japanese: 相槌 or あいづち, IPA: [aizu͍t͡ɕi]) are the frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression. Aizuchi are considered reassuring to the speaker, indicating that the listener is active and involved in the discussion.
Aizuchi are frequently misinterpreted by non-native speakers as the listener showing agreement or fully comprehending what is being said.
Common aizuchi include:
- hai (はい), ee (ええ), or un (うん) (yes, with varying degrees of formality)
- sō desu ne (そうですね) (I see.)
- sō desu ka (そうですか) (is that so?)
- hontō (本当), hontō ni (本当に), maji (マジ), or (in Kansai) honma (本真) (really)
- naruhodo (なるほど) (I see, that's right)
- nodding
These can be compared to English "yeah, yeah", "yeah, ok", "got it", "yep", "uhuh" or "go on", but are more pronounced and important in Japanese.
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
4
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
1
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
1
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
42
down vote
accepted
They're called aizuchi. はい is certainly one. うん is the more casual option. Wikipedia has the following:
In the Japanese language, Aizuchi (Japanese: 相槌 or あいづち, IPA: [aizu͍t͡ɕi]) are the frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression. Aizuchi are considered reassuring to the speaker, indicating that the listener is active and involved in the discussion.
Aizuchi are frequently misinterpreted by non-native speakers as the listener showing agreement or fully comprehending what is being said.
Common aizuchi include:
- hai (はい), ee (ええ), or un (うん) (yes, with varying degrees of formality)
- sō desu ne (そうですね) (I see.)
- sō desu ka (そうですか) (is that so?)
- hontō (本当), hontō ni (本当に), maji (マジ), or (in Kansai) honma (本真) (really)
- naruhodo (なるほど) (I see, that's right)
- nodding
These can be compared to English "yeah, yeah", "yeah, ok", "got it", "yep", "uhuh" or "go on", but are more pronounced and important in Japanese.
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
4
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
1
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
1
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
42
down vote
accepted
up vote
42
down vote
accepted
They're called aizuchi. はい is certainly one. うん is the more casual option. Wikipedia has the following:
In the Japanese language, Aizuchi (Japanese: 相槌 or あいづち, IPA: [aizu͍t͡ɕi]) are the frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression. Aizuchi are considered reassuring to the speaker, indicating that the listener is active and involved in the discussion.
Aizuchi are frequently misinterpreted by non-native speakers as the listener showing agreement or fully comprehending what is being said.
Common aizuchi include:
- hai (はい), ee (ええ), or un (うん) (yes, with varying degrees of formality)
- sō desu ne (そうですね) (I see.)
- sō desu ka (そうですか) (is that so?)
- hontō (本当), hontō ni (本当に), maji (マジ), or (in Kansai) honma (本真) (really)
- naruhodo (なるほど) (I see, that's right)
- nodding
These can be compared to English "yeah, yeah", "yeah, ok", "got it", "yep", "uhuh" or "go on", but are more pronounced and important in Japanese.
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
They're called aizuchi. はい is certainly one. うん is the more casual option. Wikipedia has the following:
In the Japanese language, Aizuchi (Japanese: 相槌 or あいづち, IPA: [aizu͍t͡ɕi]) are the frequent interjections during a conversation that indicate the listener is paying attention or understands the speaker. In linguistic terms, these are a form of phatic expression. Aizuchi are considered reassuring to the speaker, indicating that the listener is active and involved in the discussion.
Aizuchi are frequently misinterpreted by non-native speakers as the listener showing agreement or fully comprehending what is being said.
Common aizuchi include:
- hai (はい), ee (ええ), or un (うん) (yes, with varying degrees of formality)
- sō desu ne (そうですね) (I see.)
- sō desu ka (そうですか) (is that so?)
- hontō (本当), hontō ni (本当に), maji (マジ), or (in Kansai) honma (本真) (really)
- naruhodo (なるほど) (I see, that's right)
- nodding
These can be compared to English "yeah, yeah", "yeah, ok", "got it", "yep", "uhuh" or "go on", but are more pronounced and important in Japanese.
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
answered Nov 30 at 8:14
Em.
1,0351915
1,0351915
4
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
1
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
1
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
add a comment |
4
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
1
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
1
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
4
4
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
so much more info than my answer! ^_^ I would give this two +1's if I could! I know these words, but could not have explained it like this. Please bold the part about misinterpretation and put it at the bottom for emphasis!!
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 8:50
1
1
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
+1 joined the site just to +1 :D
– phyrfox
Nov 30 at 16:36
1
1
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
Intonation may be worth mentioning here as well. I am not entirely sure, but I think it’s similar in Japanese and Chinese: when saying ん or うん, you’d normally a falling tone, unlike ‘uh-huh’ or ‘mhm’ in English, which is pronounced with a rising tone at the end. I don’t know if this is as confusing to Japanese people, but Chinese people who have little exposure to English often interpret this rising tone as an indicator of a question – they think you didn’t understand and are asking for repetition, rather than encouraging continued speech.
– Janus Bahs Jacquet
yesterday
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
yes, one way of indicating that you are listening and the other person should continue talking is by saying "はい". However your habit of saying "mhm" would not be so out of place, actually. There is a Japanese equivalent in the ん sound. It's less "courteous" than saying "はい", but it is a typical "I'm listening" noise.
annnnnnd @leocreatini beat me to it in the comments :P
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
6
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
yes, one way of indicating that you are listening and the other person should continue talking is by saying "はい". However your habit of saying "mhm" would not be so out of place, actually. There is a Japanese equivalent in the ん sound. It's less "courteous" than saying "はい", but it is a typical "I'm listening" noise.
annnnnnd @leocreatini beat me to it in the comments :P
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
6
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
add a comment |
up vote
10
down vote
up vote
10
down vote
yes, one way of indicating that you are listening and the other person should continue talking is by saying "はい". However your habit of saying "mhm" would not be so out of place, actually. There is a Japanese equivalent in the ん sound. It's less "courteous" than saying "はい", but it is a typical "I'm listening" noise.
annnnnnd @leocreatini beat me to it in the comments :P
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
yes, one way of indicating that you are listening and the other person should continue talking is by saying "はい". However your habit of saying "mhm" would not be so out of place, actually. There is a Japanese equivalent in the ん sound. It's less "courteous" than saying "はい", but it is a typical "I'm listening" noise.
annnnnnd @leocreatini beat me to it in the comments :P
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
answered Nov 30 at 6:21
ericfromabeno
3,466521
3,466521
6
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
add a comment |
6
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
6
6
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
excuse me, whoever keeps "dinging" me, but you do understand that downvotes are meant to indicate "answer is NOT USEFUL" .... my answer might not be AS useful as the better answer above, but it is definitely "useful". I don't think it deserves upvotes, but neither does it deserve a downvote.
– ericfromabeno
Nov 30 at 10:26
add a comment |
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4
I believe はい is somewhat formal. More casually, you can say ん. takoboto.jp/?w=2139720
– leocreatini
Nov 30 at 6:20
2
If you're interested, these "words" are called continuers in linguistics - glossary.sil.org/term/continuer
– ymbirtt
Nov 30 at 10:50