The word 'well'.

  It is one of most frequent words - only a little less than the and it - so common in our speech that we don’t even notice when we use it or hear it.

Sometimes just the word itself, depending on how it’s said, is enough to convey all sorts of feelings. You can readily supply the tone of voice yourself -

Well! (That’s accomplished!)
Well-- (I’m pretty skeptical about that)
Well! (What a pleasant surprise seeing you again!)
Well? (What do you have to say for yourself?)
Well. (I’m now going to tell you the whole long story)

  We all use it and hear it far more than we’re aware. For years a great deal has been written about it, and its use in the real world of conversations turns out to be so varied and subtle that we can’t even attempt to systematize all its meanings here. All we’ll do is list a few of the main things it seems to be doing in our daily discourse.

It might show surprise -
Well, who would have thought that!
Well I never!

Does water boil at 100 degrees Celsius?
Well of course!

Or intensify something -
Well, isn’t that odd!

Encouragement -
I can’t do it.
Well, at least give it a try.

Determination -
Well, then let's go

Resignation -
Well, you have to carry on.

Hesitation about a word -
I had this tremendous row with Julie - well, an argument anyway.
Hate to say it, but he seems kind of - well - clueless.

But most often, well qualifies or modifies a response to what the other has just said, and as such it forms a kind of signal.

Partial or reluctant agreement -
Is it raining?
Well, it is drizzling.

Did you like it?
Well, sort of.

Often the word signals a conflict of views between members of a conversation, or something that needs to be softened -

If I felt that we were in the slightest danger, I’d have pulled over.
Well, I don’t know that you would have.

You’re famous and everything -
Famous? Well ...

The word might blunt abruptness -
What do you want me to do?
Well, for starters, you could clean up the mess you made.

I can’t go along.
Well, please step aside then.

Realization of a new situation -
Well, it seems to have disappeared.

Or reinforcement -
They have a good opinion of him.
Well, I have too.

He’s very busy at the moment
Well, he’s always frantically busy.

Often the word signals a turn in the conversation, or the beginning of a new subject -
Rob cleared his throat. Well then ...

So those are the facts of the matter. ... Well now, how have you been?

Even more often, the word simply signals that a subject is continuing or resuming -

Tell me all you know about her.
Well, it’s a long story...

My car’s in the shop.
What’s wrong with it?
Well, I was driving along and ...

The word can elicit a response -
Well, what do you think about it?

Or conclude a conversation -
Well, that ties up everything nicely.

Well, that’s all.

Выражение удивления -
Well, who would have thought that! Да кто бы мог подумать
Well I never! Разве мог я такое представить!

Does water boil at 100 degrees Celsius? Вода кипит при 100 градусах?
Well of course! Ну конечно!

Усиления высказывания-
Well, isn’t that odd! Вот уж правда странно!

Поощрения к действию-
I can’t do it. Не могу этого сделать
Well, at least give it a try. Ну хотя бы попытайся

Решимости-
Well, then let's go. Ну, раз так, пошли

Терпения, готовности переносить трудности-
Well, you have to carry on. Что же поделаешь, надо продолжать

Заминка в выборе нужного слова -
I had this tremendous row with Julie - well, an argument anyway. Он совсем разругался с Джули - ну или сильно поспорил.
Hate to say it, but he seems kind of - well - clueless. Очень не хочется так говорить, но он какой-то - как бы сказать - совсем без понятия.

Но чаще всего 'well' придаёт дополнительный оттенок ответу собеседнику, сигнализирует отношение отвечающего.

Частичное или неохотное согласие -
Is it raining? Доджь идёт?
Well, it is drizzling. Ну да, покапывает мелкий

Did you like it? Тебе это понравилось
Well, sort of. Ну в общем-то да

Часто 'well' сигнализирует о конфликте взглядов между собеседниками или о чём-то, что надо смягчить в разговоре -

If I felt that we were in the slightest danger, I’d have pulled over. Если бы я видел хоть малейшую опасность для тебя, я бы съехал на обочину.
Well, I don’t know that you would have. Да уж не знаю, съехал ли бы.

You’re famous and everything - Конечно, ты знаменит
Famous? Well ...Знаменит? Ну ты скажешь...

Резкость,  некоторую грубость -
What do you want me to do? Чего ты от меня хочешь?
Well, for starters, you could clean up the mess you made. Ну так вот, для начала приберись за собой

I can’t go along. Я больше не могу идти.
Well, please step aside then. Что ж, тогда, пожалйста, отойди в сторону.

Понимание новой ситуации -
Well, it seems to have disappeared. Да ведь кажется, оно исчезло

или усиление -
They have a good opinion of him. Они о нём хорошего мнения
Well, I have too. Что ж такого, и я хорошего

He’s very busy at the moment. Он сейчас очень занят.
Well, he’s always frantically busy. Да он вечно безумно занят.

Часто слово означает новый поворот в разговоре или начало новой темы -
Rob cleared his throat. Well then ...Роб прокашлялся. Ну что ж, теперь

So those are the facts of the matter. ... Well now, how have you been? Вот таковы факты... Ну, а сам ты как поживаешь

Ещё чаще слово 'well' просто означает возвращение к теме разговора, продолжение -

Tell me all you know about her. Расскажи всё, что знаешь о ней
Well, it’s a long story...Ну, история эта долгая...

My car’s in the shop. Моя машина в мастерской
What’s wrong with it? Что с ней случилось?
Well, I was driving along and ... Да ехал и...

выпрашиваие ответа -
Well, what do you think about it? Ну так что же ты об этом думаешь

или завершение беседы -
Well, that ties up everything nicely. Ну что ж, всё кончается хорошо.

Well, that’s all. Ну что же, вот и всё.