er

[/ɜːr/]

interjection/verb

er (hesitation sound); ser (verb)

1. A hesitation sound used when pausing to think or gather words

Er, I'm not sure what you mean.

Er, não tenho certeza do que você quer dizer.

2. Archaic or dialectal form of the verb 'to be' (primarily in older English texts)

What er this device? (archaic: What is this device?)

O que é este aparelho?

Synonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

Same hesitation sound used, though less common than in English

Portugal

Used similarly as a hesitation marker in speech

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