New here? This is lesson 216 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
Give feedback in Japanese
Leo meets Mori-san at a quiet booth in Kissa Hotaru. Three versions of a puzzle-game screen are open on a tablet.
She wants clear feedback before the team chooses one. Leo needs to praise what works and point out a change without making it personal.
You will compare options, suggest improvements, ask to speak frankly, and thank someone for useful feedback.
By the end of this lesson
Say what works, identify improvements, choose an option, and thank someone for feedback.
- 全体的には、よくできています。Overall it's working well.
- この部分は、もう少し調整できます。This part could be adjusted a little more.
- 一番いいのは、二番目の案です。The best one is the second option.
- ここを直すと、もっとよくなります。If we fix this, it will be even better.
- 率直に言っていいですか。Can I be frank?
- フィードバック、ありがとうございます。Thanks for the feedback.
Scene — three screens at the booth
At Kissa Hotaru in Yanaka, Mori-san sets her tablet between two mismatched cups. She has three proposals for the puzzle game's opening screen.
Leo tries each version. The colors work well, but two buttons sit close enough to invite an accidental tap.
Learn — clear, useful feedback
Start with your overall impression, then identify a part that needs attention and explain how a change would help.
These six lines also let you choose an option and receive feedback politely.
全体的には、よくできています。
Overall it's working well.
When to use it: Use this to give a positive overall assessment before discussing details.
は limits the praise to the overall result, leaving room for specific changes.
この部分は、もう少し調整できます。
This part could be adjusted a little more.
When to use it: Use this while indicating a specific part that could benefit from further adjustment.
できます presents adjustment as achievable, softening criticism without hiding the issue.
一番いいのは、二番目の案です。
The best one is the second option.
When to use it: Use this when comparing proposals and identifying the second as your top choice.
の turns the description “best” into “the best one,” which you identify after は.
ここを直すと、もっとよくなります。
If we fix this, it will be even better.
When to use it: Use this while pointing to a change that would improve the result.
と links fixing this part to the improvement you expect to follow.
率直に言っていいですか。
Can I be frank?
When to use it: Use this before giving a direct opinion that might be difficult to hear.
This asks permission to speak frankly, so wait for an answer before giving your opinion.
Say it: Hold the small っ for one beat before releasing the next consonant.
フィードバック、ありがとうございます。
Thanks for the feedback.
When to use it: Use this after someone gives you comments on your work.
Naming the feedback before the thanks makes clear what you appreciate.
Story — which button would you press?
Mori-san wants concrete comments on three screen proposals, so Leo tests the buttons before answering.
Notice how his overall praise leads into one problem, a possible change, and a clear preference.
- Mori-san slides the tablet across the red-seat booth.
Mori-sanレオさん、これを見てもらえますか。Leo, could you check this for me?
Leo全体的には、よくできています。Overall it's working well.- Mori-sanどこがいいですか。What works well?
- Leo色が見やすくて、次に何をするかすぐ分かります。The colors are easy to distinguish, and it's immediately clear what to do next.
- Leo率直に言っていいですか。Can I be frank?
- Mori-sanもちろんです。気になるところも教えてください。Of course. Tell me what concerns you too.
- Leoこの部分は、もう少し調整できます。This part could be adjusted a little more.
- Mori-san下のボタンですか。The buttons at the bottom?
- Leoはい。近すぎて、隣のボタンを押してしまいます。Yes. They're so close that I accidentally press the neighboring button.
- Mori-sanどう変えましょうか。How should we change it?
- Leoここを直すと、もっとよくなります。If we fix this, it will be even better.
- Leo二つのボタンを、もう少し離したいです。I'd like to move the two buttons a little farther apart.
- Mori-san三つの案なら、どれがいいですか。Of the three proposals, which is best?
- Leo一番いいのは、二番目の案です。The best one is the second option.
- Mori-sanどうしてそう思いますか。Why do you think that?
- Leoボタンが離れていて、押し間違えにくいからです。Because the buttons are farther apart, making accidental taps less likely.
- Mori-sanフィードバック、ありがとうございます。Thanks for the feedback.
- Leo私が書いた説明はどうですか。What do you think of the instructions I wrote?
- Mori-san分かりやすいです。でも、ボタン一つに三行は少し長いですね。They're clear. But three lines for one button is a little long.
- Leoフィードバック、ありがとうございます。Thanks for the feedback.
Practice — praise, adjust, choose
Work through ten tasks about reviewing a screen, comparing proposals, and responding to useful comments.
Listen for the exact wording and choose replies that fit the purpose of each exchange.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
この部分は、もう少し調整できます。
Pick the reply
Mori-san says:
Pick the reply
三つとも試しましたね。どの案が一番いいですか。
You've tried all three, right; which proposal is best?
And you reply with:
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
If we fix this, it will be even better.
ここを直す____、もっとよくなります。
Build the line
Build the line
Can I be frank?
。
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Mori-san has just given useful comments on your instructions, and you want to thank her specifically for that feedback.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You have a new screen ready and want Mori-san to check it before you send it to the team.
Pick the reply
Mori-san says:
Pick the reply
私は二番目の案が一番いいと思います。
I think the second proposal is the best.
And you reply with:
True or false?
True or false?
This assessment guarantees that every detail is perfect and no adjustments are needed.
Build the line
Build the line
Thanks for the feedback.
、。
Tap the words in order.
Say it — give Mori-san your feedback
You are Leo, reviewing the tablet screen with Mori-san at the booth.
Give a positive assessment, identify an improvement, and choose your favorite proposal. Record each response, then thank her when she comments on your own work.
- Mori-san画面を見て、全体の印象はどうですか。Looking at the screen, what's your overall impression?
- Leo (you)Say that overall it is working well.
Say that overall it is working well.
全体的には、よくできています。
Overall it's working well.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 全体的には、よくできています。 | Overall it's working well. | |
| この部分は、もう少し調整できます。 | This part could be adjusted a little more. | |
| 一番いいのは、二番目の案です。 | The best one is the second option. | |
| ここを直すと、もっとよくなります。 | If we fix this, it will be even better. | |
| 率直に言っていいですか。 | Can I be frank? | |
| フィードバック、ありがとうございます。 | Thanks for the feedback. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Open Yak Cards to rehearse these six lines before your next feedback conversation.
Picture one thing that works and one thing to improve as you review the cards.
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