IS #146 — Power of the Pause
How Korean speakers use hesitation, filler, and strategic silence to communicate fluently.
Iru Helper Note
In Korean, what you don't say immediately is often as communicative as what you do. Skilled pausing signals you're thoughtful, not lost.
음... 그게... 어떻게 말하지...
(Hmm... that is... how do I put it...)
⏸️ What You'll Learn Today
Every fluent speaker pauses — they just pause gracefully. In Korean, there's a rich set of fillers, hesitation phrases, and strategic silence markers that native speakers use to hold the floor while they think, signal careful consideration, or soften a transition. In this lesson you'll learn these tools so your pauses feel intentional, not awkward.
📌 Pausing & Hesitation Expressions
Expression | Meaning | Notes |
음... | Hmm... | The most common pause filler |
저기... | Um... / Uh... | Gentle, often used before a request |
그게... | That is... / Well... | Introduces a hedge or explanation |
어떻게 말하지... | How do I put it... | Searching for words |
뭐라고 해야 하지... | What should I say... | More deliberate word-search |
잠깐만요 | Just a moment | Holds the floor |
생각해 보면... | If I think about it... | Signals deliberation |
솔직히 말하면... | To be honest... | Introduces a genuine answer |
사실은요... | Actually... / To tell you the truth... | Introduces a real point |
잠시 생각해 볼게요 | Let me think for a moment | Polite floor-hold |
그러니까... | So... / In other words... | Transition or reformulation |
뭐랄까... | How should I put it... | Searching for the right word |
아, 그렇구나... | Ah, I see... / Oh, is that so... | Processing new info |
어, 그게 아니라... | Oh, that's not it — | Correction after a pause |
💡 Key pattern: 음/저기 start the pause. 그게/뭐랄까 hold it while you search. 그러니까/솔직히 말하면 signal you've found your answer and are about to deliver it.
💬 Conversations in Action
Searching for the right word:
A: 한국어로 뭐라고 해요? (What's the word in Korean?)
B: 음... 어떻게 말하지... 그러니까, '아늑하다' 이런 느낌이에요. (Hmm... how do I put it... So, it's like the feeling of '아늑하다' (cozy).)
Holding the floor politely:
A: 어떻게 생각해요? (What do you think?)
B: 잠시 생각해 볼게요. 음... 솔직히 말하면, 좀 복잡한 것 같아요. (Let me think for a moment. Hmm... To be honest, it seems a bit complicated.)
🌏 Cultural Note — The Thoughtful Pause
In Korean communication, rushing to fill every silence can signal social anxiety or insincerity. A well-placed 음... or 잠깐만요 before a considered answer actually signals that you're taking the question seriously. Senior speakers especially appreciate when a junior pauses and reflects before answering rather than blurting something out. Strategic silence = competence.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
For each situation, respond with an appropriate pause expression, then complete the thought.
A. Someone asks your opinion on a complicated topic. Pause thoughtfully, then respond.
<summary>Answer
음... 잠시 생각해 볼게요. 솔직히 말하면, 좀 어려운 것 같아요.
</summary>
B. You're searching for the right Korean word. Fill the pause while you think.
<summary>Answer
어떻게 말하지... 뭐랄까... 그러니까 이런 느낌이에요.
</summary>
C. You're asked an unexpected question. Buy yourself time politely.
<summary>Answer
저기... 잠깐만요. 생각해 보면...
</summary>
D. You want to correct yourself mid-sentence after a pause.
<summary>Answer
그게... 아, 어, 그게 아니라... 이렇게 말하고 싶었어요.
</summary>
E. You want to signal you're about to give an honest answer.
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말하면... 사실은요, 좀 걱정이 됐어요.
</summary>
F. You're reformulating a sentence after the listener looked confused.
<summary>Answer
그러니까... 다시 말하면, 이런 뜻이에요.
</summary>
G. You want to introduce a real point after a brief pause.
<summary>Answer
사실은요... 제가 좀 다른 의견이 있어요.
</summary>
H. You need a moment before answering a senior's question.
<summary>Answer
잠시 생각해 볼게요... 음... 제 생각에는요...
</summary>
I. You're holding the conversational floor while searching for an answer.
<summary>Answer
음... 뭐라고 해야 하지... 그러니까, 이런 뜻이에요.
</summary>
J. You process new information someone just shared.
<summary>Answer
아, 그렇구나... 그게 그런 뜻이었군요.
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Nuance/Key |
음... | start of pause |
저기... | gentle floor-hold |
그게... | introduces hedge |
어떻게 말하지... | word-search |
뭐랄까... | word-search (softer) |
잠깐만요 | hold the floor |
잠시 생각해 볼게요 | polite thinking pause |
솔직히 말하면 | honest answer signal |
그러니까... | reformulation |
사실은요 | real-point introducer |
Tip: Pause → search → land
The three-move structure: Start with 음/저기 (pause opener) → hold with 어떻게 말하지/뭐랄까 (word-search) → land with 그러니까/솔직히 말하면 (delivery). Practice this sequence until it's automatic.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Record yourself answering a question in Korean — any question. Play it back and listen for your pauses. Are they confident and natural, or do they sound like you froze? Practice inserting 음, 뭐랄까, 그러니까 until your pauses feel deliberate and in control.
📦 Practice Hub — Power of the Pause
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
Pick the best pause/hesitation expression for each situation.
A. You're asked a hard question and need a moment. You say:
a) 잘 모르겠어요.
b) 음... 잠시 생각해 볼게요.
c) 아, 그렇구나.
<summary>Answer
b) 음... 잠시 생각해 볼게요. — polite floor-holding pause.
B. You're searching for the right Korean word. You fill the gap with:
a) 모르겠어요.
b) 뭐랄까... 어떻게 말하지...
c) 그러니까, 알아요.
<summary>Answer
b) 뭐랄까... 어떻게 말하지... — word-search fillers.
C. You want to signal you're about to reformulate your sentence. You say:
a) 잠깐만요.
b) 그러니까...
c) 사실은요.
<summary>Answer
b) 그러니까... — reformulation/transition.
D. You're about to be honest after a thoughtful pause. You open with:
a) 음... 솔직히 말하면...
b) 잠깐만요.
c) 어, 그게 아니라...
<summary>Answer
a) 음... 솔직히 말하면... — honest answer signal after pause.
E. You want to hold the floor while you think, without losing your turn. You say:
a) 아, 그렇구나.
b) 잠깐만요.
c) 사실은요.
<summary>Answer
b) 잠깐만요. — holds the conversational floor.
F. You realize you said the wrong thing and need to correct yourself. You say:
a) 그러니까...
b) 어, 그게 아니라...
c) 뭐랄까...
<summary>Answer
b) 어, 그게 아니라... — correction after a pause.
G. You're processing something someone just told you. You respond:
a) 잠깐만요.
b) 아, 그렇구나...
c) 솔직히 말하면...
<summary>Answer
b) 아, 그렇구나... — processing new information.
H. You want to introduce a real honest point after a brief silence. You say:
a) 음...
b) 사실은요...
c) 잠시 생각해 볼게요.
<summary>Answer
b) 사실은요... — introduces a genuine/real point.
I. You need a soft floor-holder at the very start of your response. You use:
a) 그러니까
b) 저기...
c) 어, 그게 아니라
<summary>Answer
b) 저기... — gentle opening filler before a request or thought.
J. You want to reflect before answering a senior's question. You say:
a) 생각해 보면...
b) 솔직히 말하면...
c) 아, 그렇구나.
<summary>Answer
a) 생각해 보면... — signals deliberate reflection.
Quick Reference
Expression | Meaning |
음... | Hmm... (pause start) |
저기... | Um... (gentle filler) |
그게... | Well... (hedge intro) |
어떻게 말하지... | How do I put it... |
뭐랄까... | How should I say... |
잠깐만요 | Just a moment |
잠시 생각해 볼게요 | Let me think a moment |
솔직히 말하면... | To be honest... |
그러니까... | So... / In other words... |
사실은요... | Actually... / The truth is... |
Pitfall: Silence without a filler
A long pause without any filler (음, 저기, 잠깐만요) can signal to a Korean listener that you've lost your train of thought or are uncomfortable. Insert a filler immediately — even a simple 음... buys you the time to think while keeping the floor.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each hesitation/pause expression naturally.
A. 음... 잠시 생각해 볼게요.
<summary>Answer
Hmm... Let me think for a moment.
B. 어떻게 말하지... 그러니까, 이런 느낌이에요.
<summary>Answer
How do I put it... So, it's this kind of feeling.
C. 솔직히 말하면, 좀 복잡한 것 같아요.
<summary>Answer
To be honest, it seems a bit complicated.
D. 사실은요, 다른 의견이 있었어요.
<summary>Answer
Actually, I had a different opinion.
E. 어, 그게 아니라... 이렇게 말하고 싶었어요.
<summary>Answer
Oh, that's not it — I wanted to say it this way.
F. 뭐랄까... 정확히 표현하기가 어렵네요.
<summary>Answer
How should I put it... It's hard to express exactly.
G. 아, 그렇구나. 몰랐어요.
<summary>Answer
Ah, I see. I didn't know that.
H. 생각해 보면... 사실 그렇게 간단하지 않아요.
<summary>Answer
If I think about it... it's actually not that simple.
I. 저기... 혹시 잠깐 여쭤봐도 될까요?
<summary>Answer
Um... May I ask you something for a moment?
J. 그러니까... 다시 말하면, 이런 뜻이에요.
<summary>Answer
So... In other words, this is what I mean.
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Korean | English |
표현하다 | to express |
정확히 | exactly / precisely |
복잡하다 | to be complicated |
간단하다 | to be simple |
느낌 | feeling / sense |
여쭤보다 | to ask (humble) |
Grammar Tip: 그러니까
그러니까 literally means "so / therefore" and is used in spoken Korean to: (1) reformulate something you just said, (2) summarize a point, or (3) mark that you've found your answer after pausing. It's the most versatile transition word in spoken Korean — use it confidently.
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct filler or hesitation phrase.
A. ... 잠시 생각해 볼게요. (Hmm)
<summary>Answer
음...
B. 어떻게 지... 이런 느낌이에요. (say / put it)
<summary>Answer
어떻게 말하지...
C. 히 말하면, 좀 어렵겠는데요. (honestly)
<summary>Answer
솔직히 말하면,
D. 은요, 제 생각은 달라요. (actually)
<summary>Answer
사실은요,
E. 어, 그게 ... 이렇게 말하고 싶었어요. (not it)
<summary>Answer
어, 그게 아니라...
F. 랄까... 딱 맞는 단어가 없어요. (how should I say)
<summary>Answer
뭐랄까...
G. 만요. 생각해 볼게요. (just a moment)
<summary>Answer
잠깐만요.
H. 아, 그구나. 그런 뜻이었군요. (I see)
<summary>Answer
아, 그랬구나.
I. ... 혹시 잠깐 부탁드려도 될까요? (um/uh)
<summary>Answer
저기...
J. 그... 다시 말하면, 이런 의미예요. (so / in other words)
<summary>Answer
그러니까...
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
음... | pause opener |
저기... | gentle floor-hold |
잠깐만요 | hold floor firmly |
잠시 생각해 볼게요 | polite thinking |
어떻게 말하지... | word search |
뭐랄까... | softer word search |
솔직히 말하면... | honest answer |
사실은요... | real-point intro |
그러니까... | reformulation |
어, 그게 아니라... | mid-sentence correction |
Production Tip
String three pause moves into one smooth sequence: 음... 어떻게 말하지... 그러니까, 이런 느낌이에요. Practice saying it fast until it feels like one fluid expression rather than three separate phrases. That's what native fluency sounds like.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Complete each exchange using a natural pause expression.
A. 선생님: 이 단어 설명해 줄 수 있어요? → You: (Buy time politely, then explain)
<summary>Answer
음... 잠시 생각해 볼게요. 그러니까, 이런 느낌이에요.
B. 친구: 그 영화 어때? → You: (Pause, search, then give honest answer)
<summary>Answer
뭐랄까... 솔직히 말하면, 좀 기대했던 것보다 별로였어.
C. 동료: 이 계획 어떻게 생각해요? → You: (Thoughtful pause + honest answer)
<summary>Answer
음... 생각해 보면... 사실은요, 좀 수정이 필요할 것 같아요.
D. You say the wrong thing. Correct yourself mid-sentence.
<summary>Answer
어, 그게 아니라... 제가 말하고 싶었던 건 이거예요.
E. Someone shares surprising news. Process it out loud.
<summary>Answer
아, 그렇구나... 몰랐어요. 그랬군요.
F. 상사: 지금 바로 대답해 줄 수 있어요? → You: (Hold the floor politely)
<summary>Answer
잠깐만요. 잠시 생각해 볼게요.
G. You're explaining something complex and need to reformulate.
<summary>Answer
그러니까... 다시 말하면, 이런 뜻이에요.
H. 친구: 왜 그렇게 생각해? → You: (Pause, be honest)
<summary>Answer
음... 솔직히 말하면, 좀 걱정이 됐어.
I. 선배: 이 표현 어떻게 쓰는 거예요? → You: (Word-search, then explain)
<summary>Answer
어떻게 말하지... 뭐랄까... 이런 상황에서 쓰는 거예요.
J. Someone looks confused. Reformulate your explanation clearly.
<summary>Answer
저기... 그러니까, 다시 설명하면... 이런 뜻이에요.
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Meaning |
수정이 필요하다 | to need modification |
기대했던 것보다 | more than expected |
설명하다 | to explain |
상황 | situation |
다시 말하면 | in other words |
말하고 싶었던 건 | what I wanted to say was |
Conversation Tip
The most fluent pause sequence: 음... [filler while thinking] + 솔직히 말하면 / 사실은요 [signals you've arrived at your answer] + [deliver your point]. The filler + signal combination tells your listener: "I was thinking carefully, and here is my real answer." It reads as intelligent, not hesitant.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Use pause expressions naturally in each response.
A. Someone asks your opinion on something you find difficult to express. Pause and answer.
<summary>Sample Answer
음... 뭐랄까... 솔직히 말하면, 좀 복잡한 느낌이에요.
B. You're asked to explain a word you know but can't find the exact translation for.
<summary>Sample Answer
어떻게 말하지... 그러니까, 이런 느낌이에요: [explanation].
C. Hold the floor politely while you think about a senior's question.
<summary>Sample Answer
잠깐만요. 잠시 생각해 볼게요... 음... 제 생각에는요...
D. Process surprising information out loud gracefully.
<summary>Sample Answer
아, 그렇구나... 그런 상황이었군요. 몰랐어요.
E. Correct yourself mid-thought with a natural pivot.
<summary>Sample Answer
그게... 아, 어, 그게 아니라... 이렇게 말하고 싶었어요.
F. Deliver a genuine honest answer after a thoughtful pause.
<summary>Sample Answer
음... 생각해 보면... 솔직히 말하면, 좀 걱정이 됐어요.
G. Introduce a real point you've been hesitating to say.
<summary>Sample Answer
사실은요... 제가 다른 의견이 있었어요. 말씀드려도 될까요?
H. Reformulate a confusing sentence into a clearer one.
<summary>Sample Answer
그러니까... 다시 말하면, 이런 뜻이에요: [clearer version].
I. Open a sensitive request with a gentle filler.
<summary>Sample Answer
저기... 혹시 잠깐 부탁드려도 될까요?
J. String all three pause moves together: opener → word-search → delivery.
<summary>Sample Answer
음... 어떻게 말하지... 그러니까, 솔직히 말하면 이런 느낌이에요.
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use |
음... | pause opener |
저기... | gentle opener |
잠깐만요 | firm floor-hold |
어떻게 말하지... | word search |
뭐랄까... | softer word search |
솔직히 말하면... | honest answer |
사실은요... | real-point intro |
그러니까... | reformulation |
Speaking Challenge
Answer this question out loud: "한국 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각해요?" Use at least three pause expressions — one to open, one to search, one to signal your answer. Record yourself and listen back. Intentional pausing is the difference between sounding like a learner and sounding like a speaker.
말을 잘 하는 사람은 멈출 줄도 알아요. ✨
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