Spanish Filler Words for Beginners - A Way to Sound More Native

January 15, 2025

It only takes a few short words and expressions to sound more like a native Spanish speaker. Spanish filler words, or muletillas, are small language bits that help you connect sentences, transition from one topic to another, add comments, and, in general, sound more native while speaking Spanish.

These muletillas are used in spoken Spanish and are often avoided in grammar books. You shouldn’t recite grammar rules while speaking, so I’ve provided a list of useful and commonly used Spanish filler words to make you sound more fluent.

Why Are Spanish Filler Words Important?

Filler words don’t play a core role in the conversation. They don’t carry significant information. However, if you omit them, the conversation may sound too strict, short, and lacking engagement. So, if you want to sound more natural when talking to your Spanish-speaking friends, start learning how to use filler words from day one. They will not only help you sound more natural but also make you feel more comfortable and confident while speaking.

Try switching all your ‘Ehm’ sounds and ‘Sí’ with filler words from today.

The Most Useful Filler Words for Spanish Beginners

Pues

This is usually one of the first filler words Spanish students learn. Pues is very common as a sentence starter. Translated as "Well," you can use it when you're about to tell a story or opinion. It also gives you a little time to think before answering a question.
Examples:

Pues, no sé. No puedo decidirlo.
Pues vamos a empezar.

Vale

This word is probably the most commonly used of all Spanish filler words. It literally translates to "It’s valid." You can use it when you agree, when you understand, or simply when you follow what the other person says.
Examples:

A: Vamos a la casa, ¿vale?
B: Vale.

Sabes

Translated as "You know," sabes can be used both at the beginning and at the end of a sentence. It’s used in the same way as in English.
Example:

Es muy importante para mí, ¿sabes?

Mira / Oye

This is another word you can use to start a sentence. It translates to "Look," but it’s not used the same way as in English. You can use it when you want the listener to focus on what you’re saying, almost as if you’re saying, "What I’m about to say is important, so listen carefully." It’s used frequently among friends or in respectful conversations.
You can also use Oye (translated as "Listen"), which conveys a similar meaning when starting a sentence.
Examples:

Mira, necesito unos documentos de tu parte.
Oye, eso me parece muy peligroso, ¿no?

Entonces

Another starter, entonces is translated as "So" when introducing a topic, thought, or asking a question. Despite being a long word, it’s used every day. It can also be translated as "therefore," so use it when creating longer sentences.
Examples:

Entonces, mañana nos juntamos a estudiar.

Bueno

Translated as "Good," bueno can be used in various ways. Like pues, you can use it to start a sentence or to express agreement with what has been said. Listen to your Spanish friends; you’ll hear this word often.
Examples:

A: ¿Te gusta?
B: Bueno, me parece bien.
A: Nos vemos mañana en la fiesta.
B: Bueno, nos vemos.

Es que

This is perfect for adding information to your opinion. Use it when you need to explain yourself or rationalize something. It can be translated as "It’s just that."
Examples:

No me gusta viajar. Es que tengo miedo de volar.
No puedo salir esta noche. Es que tengo una cita.

En fin

Use this when wrapping up a conversation. It can be translated as "Anyway" or "In short." You can also use it to fill a silence before starting another topic.
This expression can also be used when you need to end a conversation and leave.
Examples:

En fin, tengo que irme. Nos vemos.
Este colegio es diferente. En fin, hay muchos deberes para niños tan pequeños.
En fin, lo pasamos bien hoy. Muchas gracias.

A ver / Vamos a ver

Translated as "Let’s see," you can use this when giving an explanation or while exploring your own thoughts.
Examples:

A ver, ¿qué haremos esta noche?

Start Using These Filler Words Today

Have you been using these Spanish filler words? You should prioritize learning them, even if they aren’t covered in your grammar book. The great benefit of knowing these muletillas is that you can fill in those silent moments while searching for a word or before conjugating the next verb in your head. Over time, these words will become a natural part of your vocabulary, and you’ll find yourself feeling more relaxed while speaking.

Happy Learning!