Discourse markers (discoursmarkeringen) are words and phrases that structure conversation rather than carry content meaning. Dutch speakers use them constantly. Opening and transition markers: nou (well — the most common opener), dus (so/therefore), eigenlijk (actually/in fact), trouwens (by the way/incidentally), overigens (moreover/incidentally — more formal), verder (furthermore/further), bovendien (moreover/in addition), in ieder geval (in any case/at least), sowieso (anyway/in any case — very commonly used).
Hesitation and buying time: eh or uhm (same as English — these are identical in Dutch), zeg maar (say so/like — very common filler: het is zeg maar een beetje raar — it is kind of weird), zo te zeggen (so to speak), als het ware (as it were — more formal), laat me nadenken (let me think), hoe moet ik het zeggen (how should I put it — when searching for words). These fillers are honest and natural — do not fight them.
Agreement and response markers: inderdaad (indeed/exactly), zeker (certainly/sure), precies (precisely/exactly), klopt (that is correct/right — literally: it fits), dat klopt (that is right), helemaal mee eens (completely agree), niet per se (not necessarily), dat hangt ervan af (that depends), aan de ene kant… aan de andere kant (on the one hand… on the other hand). Using these markers correctly makes Dutch conversation feel much more natural and helps you hold the floor while you formulate longer thoughts.