Agreeing and disagreeing
Agreeing is easy. Disagreeing without sounding rude is the hard part. This lesson gives you ways to agree, to say no gently and to push back when you need to. You can ask what someone thinks now; giving your own opinion with is covered fully in Everyday Japanese 5. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
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25 words for agreeing and disagreeing
Each card shows the word or phrase and a sentence you'd say with family or friends. Seven reuse words from Everyday Japanese 1 and Lesson 2.
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How firm to be
Pick how strongly you mean it. With family the casual column is fine; with shops, the school and strangers, use the polite one.
| How firm | Agree | Disagree |
|---|
- ちょっと… means no. Trailing off is the polite way to refuse. If you hear , the answer is no.
- Saying "I think". Ask now. Giving your own view with , and reasons with から, is covered fully in Everyday Japanese 5.
- Careful with and . They're fine with family but can sound cold or childish with anyone else.
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Four patterns to use today
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Say it in Japanese
Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.