You use "ano" to get someone's attention. You also use it when you are thinking. It is like saying "um" or "excuse me" in English.
あのPrimary
You use "ano" to get someone's attention. You also use it when you are thinking. It is like saying "um" or "excuse me" in English.
あの、すみません。この電車は渋谷に行きますか？
Um, excuse me. Does this train go to Shibuya?
あの、来週の会議のことなんですが、資料はもうできていますか？
Um, about next week's meeting, are the materials ready yet?
この計画は、あの、あまり良くないと思います。
This plan, well, I don't think it's very good.
昨日は、あの、宿題をするのを忘れました。
Yesterday, um, I forgot to do my homework.
あのさ、この前見た映画、何だっけ？
Hey, um, what was that movie we saw the other day called again?
This is different from other words like it. 'Etto' means you are thinking of a word. 'Sono' helps you rephrase something. 'Maa' means 'well' or 'I suppose'. 'Ano' is more for getting attention or hesitating politely.
Watch out: あの can also mean "that" (over there). That あの always comes before a noun. For example, あの人 means "that person." The filler あの stands alone. You usually say it at the start of a sentence. You pause after it. The sound is different too. The filler あの sounds flat or goes up a little. The "that" あの sounds more clear.
Use this when you want to get someone's attention. It is like saying "Excuse me." Use it when you are thinking about what to say. It can make your words sound softer.
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