How common it is
嗯 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say ēn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
嗯是语气词，表示思考、同意或回应。
ǹg shì yǔ qì cí， biǎo shì sī kǎo 、 tóng yì huò huí yìng。
Uh-huh is a particle used to show thinking, agreement, or response.
Context note
嗯常出现在说话中，语气更自然。
ǹg cháng chū xiàn zài shuō huà zhōng， yǔ qì gèng zì rán。
Uh-huh often appears in speech and makes the tone more natural.
5 examples
嗯，我知道了。
ǹg， wǒ zhī dào le。
Uh-huh, I know.
嗯，好吧。
ǹg， hǎo ba。
Uh-huh, okay.
嗯，你说得对。
ǹg， nǐ shuō dé duì。
Uh-huh, you are right.
嗯，让我想想。
ǹg， ràng wǒ xiǎng xiǎng。
Hmm, let me think.
嗯，可以。
ǹg， kě yǐ。
Uh-huh, okay.
5 mini stories
老师问我明白了吗，我说嗯，明白了。
lǎo shī wèn wǒ míng bái le ma， wǒ shuō ǹg， míng bái le。
The teacher asked if I understood, and I said uh-huh, I understand.
嗯，让我再看一遍。
ǹg， ràng wǒ zài kàn yí biàn。
Hmm, let me look again.
朋友问我去不去，我说嗯，可以。
péng yǒu wèn wǒ qù bu qù， wǒ shuō ǹg， kě yǐ。
A friend asked if I would go, and I said uh-huh, okay.
我听到这个消息，先嗯了一声。
wǒ tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī， xiān ǹg le yì shēng。
I heard this news and first said hmm.
嗯，这个办法好像不错。
ǹg， zhè ge bàn fǎ hǎo xiàng bú cuò。
Hmm, this method seems pretty good.