New here? This is lesson 164 of a free 240-lesson Japanese course.
Mixed feelings in Japanese
Haruka wants the fast train to Kyoto. Leo likes the slow Kodama, with time to look out the window.
They sit in Kissa Hotaru and weigh both sides. He understands her point, but nobody books a ticket yet.
You will express mixed feelings, acknowledge a fair point, and ask whether something is worth it.
These lines let you explore a choice while leaving room to change your mind.
By the end of this lesson
Say you have mixed feelings and weigh both sides.
- ___については、ちょっと複雑な気持ちです。I have mixed feelings about ___.
- どちらの意見もわかります。I can see both sides.
- 今は___がいいかなと思っています。I’m leaning toward ___ for now.
- どうしてそう思うんですか。What makes you say that?
- それはたしかにそうですね。That’s a fair point.
- それだけの価値があると思いますか。Do you think it’s worth it?
Scene — two train times
On Saturday afternoon in Yanaka, Taito, Tokyo, Leo and Haruka compare trains at Kissa Hotaru. Haruka's sketchbook lies beside two mismatched coffee cups.
Haruka wants more time in Kyoto. Leo enjoys a long train ride, so the faster option has both an advantage and a drawback for him.
Learn — both sides at once
These six lines help you discuss a choice with advantages and drawbacks.
Explain mixed feelings, acknowledge another view, and share a preference that could still change.
___については、ちょっと複雑な気持ちです。
I have mixed feelings about ___.
When to use it: Use this when something brings conflicting feelings rather than a clear positive or negative reaction.
Fill the blank with the topic you feel conflicted about.
どちらの意見もわかります。
I can see both sides.
When to use it: Use this when you understand the reasons behind two different views.
The particle も includes both opinions rather than selecting only one.
今は___がいいかなと思っています。
I’m leaning toward ___ for now.
When to use it: Use this to share your current preference while leaving the final decision open.
The particle が marks the option that currently seems best to you.
Say it: Make a brief closure for the small っ in 思っています before releasing the next consonant.
どうしてそう思うんですか。
What makes you say that?
When to use it: Ask this when you want someone to explain the reason behind their opinion.
The ending んですか asks for an explanation of the view just expressed.
それはたしかにそうですね。
That’s a fair point.
When to use it: Use this to acknowledge a valid point while keeping your overall opinion open.
The word たしかに signals that you accept the specific point just made.
それだけの価値があると思いますか。
Do you think it’s worth it?
When to use it: Ask this when you want to weigh a benefit against the time, money, or effort involved.
The phrase それだけ points back to an amount of money, time, or effort already mentioned.
Story — Nozomi or Kodama
Haruka values time in Kyoto, while Leo enjoys the journey itself.
Listen as they explain their reasons, acknowledge each other's point, and leave the booking undecided.
- Haruka slides her sketchbook aside. Neither of them has booked a ticket.
Harukaレオさん、京都へはのぞみで行かない？Leo, shall we take the Nozomi to Kyoto?
Leoのぞみについては、ちょっと複雑な気持ちです。I have mixed feelings about the Nozomi.- Harukaこだまのほうがいいの？Would you prefer the Kodama?
- Leo今はこだまがいいかなと思っています。I'm leaning toward the Kodama for now.
- Haruka私は早く着くほうがいいな。I'd rather arrive sooner.
- Leoどうしてそう思うんですか。What makes you say that?
- Haruka京都でゆっくりできるから。Because we could take our time in Kyoto.
- Leoそれはたしかにそうですね。That's a fair point.
- Leo僕は車窓を眺めてのんびりしたいんです。I'd like to relax and watch the scenery from the train.
- Harukaそれもいいね。でも、私は京都でゆっくりしたいな。That sounds nice too. But I'd like to take my time in Kyoto.
- Leoどちらの意見もわかります。I can see both sides.
- Haruka速さのためなら、少し高くてもいいと思う。I think paying a little more would be fine for the speed.
- Leoそれだけの価値があると思いますか。Do you think it's worth it?
- Harukaうん、京都での時間が増えるからね。レオさんは、もう決めた？Yes, because we'd have more time in Kyoto. Have you decided yet, Leo?
- Leoまだ決めていません。I haven't decided yet.
- Harukaじゃあ、今日は予約しないでおこう。Then let's leave the booking for another day.
Practice — weigh the line
Work through eleven short tasks about opinions and open choices.
Listen for the speaker's intention, complete familiar lines, and distinguish a tentative preference from a decision.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
True or false?
True or false?
The speaker gives a positive opinion without necessarily making a final choice.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You see advantages and drawbacks to taking the Nozomi and remain torn about it; express those mixed feelings.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
I can see both sides.
どちらの意見____わかります。
Pick the reply
Haruka says:
Pick the reply
のぞみのほうが早いよ。そこはそうでしょ。
The Nozomi is faster. You'll give me that, right?
And you reply with:
Build the line
Build the line
Do you think it’s worth it?
。
Tap the words in order.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You are naming the option you currently prefer; correct the particle immediately after the blank.
今は_______いいかなと思っています。
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
今は___がいいかなと思っています。
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
True or false?
True or false?
The speaker has already made a choice.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Mori-san is comparing two plans at the office; ask which one she would prefer.
Say it — your turn to speak
Take Leo's part in another conversation about the Kyoto journey.
Record each response from its English cue, filling the two frames with the train named in the cue.
- Haruka京都へは、のぞみがいいと思う。I think the Nozomi would be good for Kyoto.
- Leo (you)Ask what makes her say that.
Ask what makes her say that.
どうしてそう思うんですか。
What makes you say that?
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Japanese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| ___については、ちょっと複雑な気持ちです。 | I have mixed feelings about ___. | |
| どちらの意見もわかります。 | I can see both sides. | |
| 今は___がいいかなと思っています。 | I’m leaning toward ___ for now. | |
| どうしてそう思うんですか。 | What makes you say that? | |
| それはたしかにそうですね。 | That’s a fair point. | |
| それだけの価値があると思いますか。 | Do you think it’s worth it? |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Review these lines with Yak Cards before your next conversation about a difficult choice.
Practice acknowledging a point while keeping your own decision open.
Open Yak Cards