Every language has filler words (stopwoordjes or vulwoorden) — sounds and phrases that fill pauses while the speaker formulates their next thought. Using Dutch fillers instead of English ones (um, like, you know) is a powerful signal of immersion. Dutch fillers: Nou… (Well…), Eh… or Uhm… (same concept as English um/uh), Zeg maar… (say so — approximately like in informal Dutch), Eigenlijk… (Actually…), Weet je… (You know…), Ja kijk… (Yes look / you see…).
Extended thinking phrases: Hoe moet ik het zeggen… (How should I put it…), Dat is een goede vraag… (That is a good question…), Even nadenken… (Let me think for a moment…), Wat was ik ook alweer van plan te zeggen… (What was I going to say again…), Laat me even kijken… (Let me just see…). These give you seconds to formulate your next sentence while sounding perfectly natural.
Confirmation seekers: Snap je? (Do you understand? / You know?), Begrijp je wat ik bedoel? (Do you understand what I mean?), Toch? (Right? / Isn’t it?), Nietwaar? (Is it not so? — more formal), Zeg maar (roughly like ‘sort of’ or ‘you know’ — extremely common filler in informal Dutch). Using these turns passive turns into interactive conversation and gives your partner something to respond to. Learning even five or six Dutch fillers immediately makes spoken Dutch feel more natural and reduces the sense that you are reciting from a textbook.