you know

English

Interjection

you know

1. (informal) Expression signifying a pause or hesitation

   I don’t usually get nervous in games and, you know, taking free kicks and penalties but that’s the first time I’ve been that nervous in, in a game, where I have to, I’m in a situation where I’m, you know... - BBC Interview with David Beckham [1]

2. (informal) Expression used to imply meaning, rather than say it, such as when a person is embarrassed to say a word.

   A: I heard you want to do that thing with me.
   B: Do what?
   A: You know... umm...
   B: Oh do you mean sex?
   A: Yeah... that.

Usage notes

This is a common utterance by young people.

Synonyms

• er, erm, um
• y'know

Related terms

• you-know-who

Translations

expression signifying a pause or hesitation

Dutch: weet je (nl), weet je wel (nl) French: tu vois (fr), tu sais (fr) German: weißt du (de)

Japanese: あの (ja) (ano), その (ja) (sono) Portuguese: você sabe (pt) Russian: это (ru) (éto), как его (ru) (kak jégo)

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