Filler words you hear in every sentence in Spanish

1. 1
   entonces/enˈtonses/

   soadverb

   For that reason, as a result of what was just said.
2. 2
   digamos/diˈɡamos/

   let's sayverb

   Used to give an example or a rough, inexact amount.
3. 3
   literalmente/liteˈɾalmente/

   literallyadverb

   Added to exaggerate and give force to what you're saying.
4. 4
   obviamente/objamente/

   obviouslyadverb

   In a way that anyone notices without needing an explanation.
5. 5
   simplemente/ˈsimplemente/

   simplyadverb

   Just that and nothing more, without further explanation.
6. 6
   neta/ˈneta/

   for realadverb

   Seriously, without lying.
7. 7
   güey/ɡwej/iAlso said ˈwei.

   dudenoun

   A very informal way to call a friend or any guy.
8. 8
   rollo/ˈroʝo/

   long storynoun

   A long, boring talk.
9. 9
   onda/ˈonda/

   vibenoun

   The atmosphere or attitude felt in a person or a place.
10. 10
    nomás/noˈmas/

    justadverb

    Only, nothing more than that.

The sentences

1. ¿Entonces al final no fuiste a la fiesta?

   So you didn't end up going to the party?

2. Llegaron, digamos, unas veinte personas a la comida.

   About twenty people showed up for the meal, let's say.

3. Me quedé literalmente sin palabras cuando lo contó.

   I was literally speechless when he told it.

4. Obviamente nadie quiso levantarse a lavar los platos.

   Obviously nobody wanted to get up and wash the dishes.

5. Simplemente no me acordé de avisarte antes.

   I simply forgot to tell you beforehand.

6. ¿Neta te vas a quedar hasta la noche?

   For real, are you staying until night?

7. Güey, ya llevamos media hora hablando de lo mismo.

   Dude, we've been talking about the same thing for half an hour.

8. Nos echó un rollo muy largo sobre su trabajo nuevo.

   He went on and on about his new job.

9. Este lugar tiene muy buena onda por la tarde.

   This place has a really good vibe in the afternoon.

10. Me quedo nomás un rato y ya me voy.

    I'll just stay a little while and then I'll go.

Pronunciation

• entonces/enˈtonses/

  The c in -ces sounds like an s: en-ton-ses.

• literalmente/liteˈɾalmente/

  The r between vowels is soft, a single flap of the tongue, and the stress falls on -ral-.

• obviamente/objamente/

  B and v sound the same, and -via- forms a single syllable.

• güey/ɡwej/

  The dieresis makes the u sound: it's said 'guei', in a single syllable.

• rollo/ˈroʝo/

  The initial r is trilled, and the double l sounds like a y.

• nomás/noˈmas/

  The stress falls on the last syllable, which is why it carries a written accent: no-MÁS.

Questions

How do you say 'for real' in Mexican Spanish?

You say neta, as in ¿Neta te vas a quedar hasta la noche?

What does güey mean?

It's a very informal way to call a friend or any guy, as in Güey, ya llevamos media hora hablando de lo mismo.

What's the difference between rollo and onda?

Rollo is a long, boring talk, like in Nos echó un rollo muy largo sobre su trabajo nuevo, while onda is the vibe felt in a person or a place, like in Este lugar tiene muy buena onda por la tarde.