New here? This is lesson 234 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
News and opinions in Japanese
At Kissa Hotaru, a local report says the neighborhood association may change rubbish collection day. The news has everyone talking.
Masako and Kenta have different views, while Goro adds a practical concern.
Leo listens carefully but does not choose a side. He recognizes the effects and asks for more time before judging.
Learn to discuss the report and give a balanced view.
By the end of this lesson
Discuss a local news item and give a balanced opinion.
- 今日のニュース、見ましたか。Did you see today's news?
- みんな、この件を話しています。Everyone is talking about this.
- 単純な話ではないと思います。I don't think it's that simple.
- 影響を受ける人が多いです。This will affect a lot of people.
- 私は、もう少し時間が必要だと思います。I think I need a little more time.
- 両方の言い分はわかります。I can see both sides.
Scene — talk of a possible change
After a rainy morning, Leo stops at Kissa Hotaru. A local report says the neighborhood association may change rubbish collection day, but no decision is final.
Masako, Kenta, and Goro discuss who would be affected. Goro's blend coffee remains untouched beside his toast.
Learn — weighing both sides
Use these six lines to ask about a news item, describe its reach, and state a cautious opinion.
Notice how a balanced response can acknowledge both sides without settling the debate.
今日のニュース、見ましたか。
Did you see today's news?
When to use it: Ask this when starting a conversation about a current news item.
The final か marks this as a polite question.
Say it: Keep the long vowel in ニュース; do not shorten it.
みんな、この件を話しています。
Everyone is talking about this.
When to use it: Use this to say that a topic is being widely discussed.
The particle を marks この件 as what people are discussing.
単純な話ではないと思います。
I don't think it's that simple.
When to use it: Use this to gently resist an overly simple conclusion.
と思います frames the negative assessment as your view.
影響を受ける人が多いです。
This will affect a lot of people.
When to use it: Use this to point out that many people will be affected.
The particle が marks 人 as the subject of 多い.
私は、もう少し時間が必要だと思います。
I think I need a little more time.
When to use it: Use this when you want more time before deciding or judging.
必要だと思います presents your judgment as a view, not a settled fact.
両方の言い分はわかります。
I can see both sides.
When to use it: Use this to acknowledge both sides without choosing one.
両方の言い分 names the arguments from both sides, while は sets them as the topic.
Story — a neighborhood debate
At Kissa Hotaru, talk about a possible change to rubbish day turns into a lively neighborhood debate. Leo hears strong views and responds without choosing a side.
Highlighted phrases are today's new lines. Turn on Show English if you want a gloss.
- A local report is open on the table. No decision has been made yet.
Masako今日のニュース、見ましたか。Did you see today's news?
Leoはい、町内会でゴミの日を変えるかもしれないっていう話ですね。Yes, the story about possibly changing rubbish day through the neighborhood association.- Masakoそうです。変更するかどうか、まだ検討中だそうです。That's right. I hear they're still considering whether to change it.
Kentaみんな、この件を話しています。Everyone is talking about this.- Kenta今の曜日だと、出しにくい人もいるんだよ。Some people have trouble putting it out on the current day.
- Masakoでも、変えたら困る人もいるでしょう。But changing it would cause trouble for some people too.
Goro影響を受ける人が多いです。This will affect a lot of people.- Goro曜日が変わると、仕事と重なる人もいます。If the day changes, it will clash with some people's work schedules.
- Kentaでも、今より便利になる人のほうが多いんじゃない？But wouldn't more people find it more convenient than now?
- Leo単純な話ではないと思います。I don't think it's that simple.
- Masakoレオさんは、賛成ですか、反対ですか。Leo, are you for it or against it?
- Leo両方の言い分はわかります。I can see both sides.
- Leo私は、もう少し時間が必要だと思います。I think I need a little more time.
- Kenta近所の人は、もう決まったって言ってたよ。Someone in the neighborhood said it was already decided.
- Goro本当かどうかは、わかりません。I don't know if that's true.
- Masakoゴミの日は月曜日です。今のところはね。Rubbish day is Monday, for now.
- Leoまず、記事を最後まで読んでみましょう。First, let's read the article all the way through.
- Goro turns back to his toast. His blend coffee is still untouched, and the old black umbrella remains in its stand.
Practice — respond without choosing
Nine short tasks will help you recognize the news question and build a measured response.
Listen, fill a gap, build a sentence, and correct a particle mistake.
0 of 9 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Everyone is talking about this.
みんな、この件____話しています。
Build the line
Build the line
I don't think it's that simple.
。
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Masako says:
Pick the reply
今回の変更で、影響を受ける人は多そうですか。
Does it look like many people would be affected by this change?
And you reply with:
Swap the word
Swap the word
You want to say that your view is that more time is needed; replace the final verb.
私は、もう少し時間が必要だと____。
What do you say?
What do you say?
A neighbor asks whether you support the proposed change; show that you understand both sides without taking one.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
本当かどうかは、わかりません。
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
True or false?
True or false?
The speaker says rubbish collection day is Tuesday.
Say it — your measured view
You are Leo, joining the same kissa conversation. Listen to different opinions, acknowledge both sides, and give a measured answer without declaring a winner.
Tap play first if you want to hear each line. Then record your response and listen back.
- Masako今日のニュースの話をしましょう。Let's talk about today's news.
- Leo (you)Ask Masako whether she saw today's news.
Ask Masako whether she saw today's news.
今日のニュース、見ましたか。
Did you see today's news?
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 今日のニュース、見ましたか。 | Did you see today's news? | |
| みんな、この件を話しています。 | Everyone is talking about this. | |
| 単純な話ではないと思います。 | I don't think it's that simple. | |
| 影響を受ける人が多いです。 | This will affect a lot of people. | |
| 私は、もう少し時間が必要だと思います。 | I think I need a little more time. | |
| 両方の言い分はわかります。 | I can see both sides. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Keep these opinion lines ready for your next neighborhood conversation. Open the [Yak Cards](https://yakyacker.com/yak-cards/) for this lesson and review them on the train.
A quick Yak Cards round will help you respond calmly when strong opinions come up.
Open Yak Cards