The term "mhm" is an interjection commonly used to express agreement, acknowledgment, or understanding in conversation. It functions similarly to saying "yes," "yeah," or "I’m listening," and is often used to encourage someone to continue speaking or to show satisfaction
. Key points about "mhm":
- It is a casual, informal sound or word used mostly in spoken language, texting, and online communication.
- It can indicate agreement or confirmation, such as responding "mhm" to a question meaning "yes"
- It can also signal that the listener is paying attention and wants the speaker to continue
- The tone and context can affect its meaning; for example, it might sometimes convey politeness, disinterest, sarcasm, or even irritation depending on how it is said
- It is essentially a vocalization made by closing the mouth and humming, similar to "mm-hmm"
In summary, "mhm" is an informal, versatile interjection used to show agreement, acknowledgment, or encourage continuation in conversation, roughly equivalent to "yes" or "I hear you"
