Translation guide
A filler phrase used when the speaker is searching for the right words, rephrasing, or hesitating. It signals that the speaker is thinking or wants to soften what they are about to say.
The speaker pauses to think of the right expression, often in the middle of a sentence.
A very common casual filler meaning 'how should I put it' or 'what should I say'. Used when you're struggling to find the right words.
あの映画、なんていうか、すごく感動的だった。
That movie was, how should I put it, really moving.
Literally 'what would be good to say', this is a slightly more explicit version of なんていうか. Common in both casual and polite speech.
この気持ち、なんて言ったらいいか、言葉にできない。
This feeling, how should I put it, I can't put it into words.
Similar to なんていうか but slightly more formal or written. Still common in spoken Japanese.
彼の態度は、なんというか、失礼だと思う。
His attitude is, how should I put it, rude, I think.
A general hesitation filler like 'um' or 'well'. It doesn't directly mean 'how should I put it', but serves the same function of buying time to think.
ええと、何を言おうとしてたんだっけ。
Um, what was I trying to say?
The speaker wants to rephrase what they just said, often to be more accurate or polite.
Used to rephrase or correct a previous statement. It can mean 'or rather', 'I mean', or 'how should I put it'. Very common in conversation.
彼は優しいというか、甘やかしすぎる。
He's kind, or how should I put it, he spoils people too much.
Starting with いや ('no') signals a self-correction. The whole phrase means 'no, how should I put it...' and is used to backtrack and rephrase.
いや、なんていうか、そういう意味じゃなくて。
No, how should I put it, I didn't mean it that way.
The speaker uses the phrase to make a potentially direct or critical statement sound softer or more tentative.
Inserted before a potentially negative or blunt comment to soften it. It implies the speaker is searching for a polite way to say something.
その服、なんていうか、ちょっと派手じゃない？
Those clothes, how should I put it, aren't they a bit flashy?
Similar softening function, but can sound slightly more thoughtful or hesitant.
なんて言ったらいいか、その計画はあまり現実的じゃないと思う。
How should I put it, I don't think that plan is very realistic.
The English phrase 'or, how should I put it,...' is a filler. Direct translations like または、どう言えばいいか are unnatural in Japanese. Use the set phrases above instead.
なんていうか is used before you say something, to hesitate. というか is used after you've said something, to rephrase it. However, in casual speech, なんていうか can also be used for rephrasing.