ehm
um / uh
An interjection used when hesitating while speaking, searching for words, or bridging a short pause.
EXAMPLE
Ehm, ich weiß leider nicht, wie ich das erklären soll.
Um, unfortunately, I don't know how to explain it.
ehm
um / uh
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Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence position
'Ehm' can appear at the beginning of an utterance or be inserted in the middle of a sentence. When speaking, the person usually keeps the floor and continues their sentence afterward.
EXAMPLE
Ehm, könnten Sie mir bitte noch einmal helfen?
Um, could you please help me again?
Der Film war, ehm, ziemlich ungewöhnlich.
The film was, um, quite unusual.
Spoken language
'Ehm' is mainly used in spontaneous spoken language. In written texts, it mostly appears when a conversation, interview, or hesitant utterance is being reproduced.
EXAMPLE
„Ehm, dazu möchte ich lieber nichts sagen“, antwortete der Zeuge.
'Um, I'd rather not say anything about that,' the witness replied.
„Ehm, ich bin mir bei dieser Frage noch nicht ganz sicher“, sagte sie im Interview.
'Um, I'm not entirely sure about this question yet,' she said in the interview.
Speaking pause
'Ehm' can be used to bridge a short thinking pause without giving up the floor. It is often followed by a clarification, correction, or tentative answer.
EXAMPLE
Ehm, ich meine: Der Termin passt mir am Freitag besser.
Um, I mean: Friday works better for me.
Ehm, vielleicht sollten wir zuerst die wichtigsten Punkte klären.
Um, perhaps we should clarify the most important points first.
In real life
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