noun
filler word; filler phrase
A word or phrase used to fill pauses in speech, such as えーと, あの, まあ, or なんか.
日本語のつなぎ言葉には「えーと」や「あの」などがある。
Japanese filler words include 'eeto' and 'ano'.
スピーチでつなぎ言葉が多すぎると、聞き手に自信がない印象を与える。
Using too many filler words in a speech gives the audience an impression of lack of confidence.
Loanword from English 'filler', used in linguistics and speech analysis; つなぎ言葉 is the native Japanese term.
Compound of つなぎ (connector, from verb つなぐ 'to connect') and 言葉 (word, language).