那个 (filler word)

• Pinyin: nèige
• Formation: (那个) + Phrase + (那个)
• Hanzi breakdown: 那 = 冄 (cover) + 阝(city); 个 = simplified form of 個

Meaning

那个 (nèige) is used as a filler word in spoken Chinese, similar to 'um,' 'uh,' or 'like' in English. Speakers insert it during pauses to gather their thoughts without losing their place in conversation.

In addition to its literal meaning of 'that' or 'that one,' 那个 is one of the most commonly heard filler words in Mandarin. It can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a phrase when the speaker is hesitating or searching for the right word. Unlike its demonstrative use, filler 那个 carries no referential meaning — it simply fills a pause. Some speakers use it habitually, much like English speakers overuse 'like' or 'you know.' It is important for learners to recognize this usage so they do not try to assign literal meaning to every instance of 那个 they hear in natural speech.

Examples

1. 那个，你明天有空吗？ Um, are you free tomorrow?
2. 我想说的是，那个，这件事可能需要再考虑一下。 What I want to say is, um, this matter might need more consideration.
3. 那个，请问一下，最近的地铁站怎么走？ Uh, excuse me, how do I get to the nearest subway station?

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, everyday

Tone: hesitant

Do Say

• 那个，我有一件事想跟你商量。
• 他每次紧张的时候就会说那个那个。
• 那个，你知道附近哪里有药店吗？

Don't Say

• 那个那个那个，我的意思是那个。(Excessive repetition of 那个 makes speech nearly incomprehensible — limit its use to brief pauses) → 那个，我的意思是这样的。
• 尊敬的各位领导，那个，今天我来汇报工作。(Using the filler 那个 in formal speeches or presentations sounds unprofessional — avoid it in formal contexts) → 尊敬的各位领导，今天我来汇报工作。

Origin & History

那个 literally means 'that one' as a demonstrative pronoun, but its frequent use as a conversational filler developed naturally in spoken Mandarin, paralleling how English 'like' or Japanese あの evolved from demonstratives into pause fillers.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal