Japanese - Lesson 161 of 168: Conversation Responses

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

まだわかりません。

Mada wakarimasen.

I don’t know yet.

Meaning: I don’t know yet.

When to use: Use when plans, results, or decisions are not clear yet — polite and neutral.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say わかりません without まだ when they mean they haven’t learned it yet; まだ adds the sense of 'not yet'.

今日の予定はまだわかりません。

Kyō no yotei wa mada wakarimasen.

I don’t know today’s schedule yet.

先生の説明はまだわかりません。

Sensei no setsumei wa mada wakarimasen.

I don't understand the teacher’s explanation yet.

やってみます

Yatte mimasu.

I’ll try it.

Meaning: I’ll try it.

When to use: Use to show willingness to attempt something now or soon.

このボタンを押して、やってみます。

Kono botan o oshite, yatte mimasu.

I'll press this button and try it.

新しいレシピをやってみます。

Atarashii reshipi o yatte mimasu.

I'll try the new recipe.

できました

Dekimashita.

I did it / It’s done.

Meaning: I did it / It’s done.

When to use: Use right after finishing a task or successfully completing something.

宿題ができました。

Shukudai ga dekimashita.

I finished my homework.

パズルができました。

Pazuru ga dekimashita.

I completed the puzzle.

できませんでした。

Dekimasen deshita.

I couldn’t do it.

Meaning: I couldn’t do it.

When to use: Use to explain an unsuccessful attempt politely (past negative).

Tip: Don't mix present negative できません with past できませんでした when explaining a completed attempt; past form is more natural here.

今日は時間がなくてできませんでした。

Kyō wa jikan ga nakute dekimasen deshita.

I couldn't do it today because I didn't have time.

この問題はできませんでした。

Kono mondai wa dekimasen deshita.

I couldn't solve this problem.

ちょっと難しいです。

Chotto muzukashii desu.

It’s a little difficult.

Meaning: It’s a little difficult.

When to use: Use to say something is somewhat hard — polite and a bit indirect.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use 難しい alone; adding ちょっと makes the tone softer and more polite in refusal or difficulty.

この漢字はちょっと難しいです。

Kono kanji wa chotto muzukashii desu.

This kanji is a little difficult.

その仕事はちょっと難しいです。

Sono shigoto wa chotto muzukashii desu.

That job is a little difficult.

そうですね

Sō desu ne.

That’s true / Let me think.

Meaning: That’s true / Let me think.

When to use: Use to agree with someone or to buy a moment while you think.

そうですね、明日は雨かもしれません。

Sō desu ne, ashita wa ame kamoshiremasen.

That's true — it might rain tomorrow.

そうですね、考えてみます。

Sō desu ne, kangaete mimasu.

Let me think — I'll consider it.

そうなんですね。

Sō nan desu ne.

Oh, I see.

Meaning: Oh, I see.

When to use: Use when you receive new information and want to show understanding politely.

そうなんですね、知りませんでした。

Sō nan desu ne, shirimasen deshita.

Oh, I see — I didn't know that.

そうなんですね、助かります。

Sō nan desu ne, tasukarimasu.

Oh, I see — that helps.

なるほど

Naruhodo.

I see / That makes sense.

Meaning: I see / That makes sense.

When to use: Use after someone explains something and you understand.

なるほど、だからそうしたんですね。

Naruhodo, dakara sō shitan desu ne.

I see — that's why you did that.

なるほど、よく分かりました。

Naruhodo, yoku wakarimashita.

I see — I understand well now.

本当ですか

Hontō desu ka.

Really?

Meaning: Really?

When to use: Use as a polite reaction to surprising or interesting information.

本当ですか、すごい！

Hontō desu ka, sugoi!

Really? Amazing!

本当ですか、その店は安いですか？

Hontō desu ka, sono mise wa yasui desu ka?

Really? Is that shop cheap?

すごいですね

Sugoi desu ne.

That’s amazing.

Meaning: That’s amazing.

When to use: Use to praise or express strong positive surprise politely.

あなたの絵はすごいですね。

Anata no e wa sugoi desu ne.

Your painting is amazing.

早く走れますね、すごいですね。

Hayaku hashiremasu ne, sugoi desu ne.

You can run fast — that's amazing.

よかったですね。

Yokatta desu ne.

That’s good / I’m glad for you.

Meaning: That’s good / I’m glad for you.

When to use: Use to respond warmly to someone’s good news or relief.

試験に合格してよかったですね。

Shiken ni gōkaku shite yokatta desu ne.

I'm glad you passed the exam.

雨が止んでよかったですね。

Ame ga yande yokatta desu ne.

Good that the rain stopped.

残念ですね

Zannen desu ne.

That’s too bad.

Meaning: That’s too bad.

When to use: Use to show sympathy when something disappointing happens.

チケットが売り切れて残念ですね。

Chiketto ga urikirete zannen desu ne.

It's too bad the tickets sold out.

風邪をひいて残念ですね。

Kaze o hiite zannen desu ne.

It's a shame you caught a cold.

いいですね

Ii desu ne.

That sounds nice / That’s good.

Meaning: That sounds nice / That’s good.

When to use: Use to show approval for plans, ideas, and things politely.

週末に海に行くんですか？いいですね。

Shūmatsu ni umi ni iku n desu ka? Ii desu ne.

You’re going to the sea this weekend? That sounds nice.

新しいカフェ、いいですね。

Atarashii kafe, ii desu ne.

A new café — that's nice.

Japanese - Conversation Responses

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

How do you say "I’ll try it" in polite Japanese?

Which phrase means "I couldn’t do it"?

Pick the phrase for a polite agreement or thinking time: "That’s true / Let me think."

Which expression shows polite surprise: "Really?"

Teacher: Did you do this problem? Student: I couldn't do it; I'll try again.

Friend: How's the new job? You: I don't know yet; I'm not used to it.

Senior: How's the task? Newcomer: It's a little difficult, but I'll try.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice