Phrases You Won't Find in Textbooks · 02 of 11
The "Hmm…" Sound
Oss! When Japanese people are thinking, we don't say "umm." We have our own sound.
なんやろ
Means "hmm, what is it / let me think." When you're searching for the right word, just say なんやろ. A: 昨日のあのカフェの名前なんやっけ？ B: なんやろ〜、忘れたわ〜.
なんやろなぁ
Stretched out version. More thinking, more emotion. A: なんでいつも遅刻するん？ B: なんやろなぁ〜、起きられへんねん.
なんていうか
"How do I put this…" Buying time when you can't find the words. A: あの映画どうやった？ B: なんていうか、ちょっと微妙やったわ.