Japanese - Lesson 30 of 168: Agreeing and Disagreeing

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

賛成です

Sansei desu.

I agree.

Meaning: I agree.

When to use: Use when you want to directly and politely agree with a statement or proposal.

その計画に賛成です。

Sono keikaku ni sansei desu.

I agree with that plan.

みんなの意見に賛成です。

Minna no iken ni sansei desu.

I agree with everyone's opinion.

___に賛成です。

___ ni sansei desu.

I agree with ___.

Meaning: I agree with ___.

When to use: Add に after the person, idea, or proposal you agree with (e.g., 彼の提案に賛成です).

Tip: Forgetting the particle に (e.g., saying 彼の賛成です is incorrect).

彼の提案に賛成です。

Kare no teian ni sansei desu.

I agree with his proposal.

この方法に賛成です。

Kono hōhō ni sansei desu.

I agree with this method.

私もそう思います。

Watashi mo sō omoimasu.

I think so too.

Meaning: I think so too.

When to use: Use to show you share the same opinion someone just expressed.

その問題は難しいですね。私もそう思います。

Sono mondai wa muzukashii desu ne. Watashi mo sō omoimasu.

That problem is difficult. I think so too.

この色がいいです。私もそう思います。

Kono iro ga ii desu. Watashi mo sō omoimasu.

This color is good. I think so too.

たしかにそうですね。

Tashika ni sō desu ne.

That's true.

Meaning: That's true.

When to use: Use たしかにそうですね to agree and emphasize that the other person is right.

たしかにそうですね、その案は実行しやすいです。

Tashika ni sō desu ne, sono an wa jikkō shi yasui desu.

That's true — that plan is easy to implement.

たしかにそうですね、時間が足りないかもしれません。

Tashika ni sō desu ne, jikan ga tarinai kamoshiremasen.

That's true; we might not have enough time.

そのとおりです。

Sono tōri desu.

You're right.

Meaning: You're right.

When to use: Say when you want to acknowledge that the other person's point is correct.

そのとおりです、まず優先順位を決めましょう。

Sono tōri desu, mazu yūsen jun'i o kimemashō.

You're right — let's decide priorities first.

そのとおりです。準備が大切です。

Sono tōri desu. Junbi ga taisetsu desu.

You're right. Preparation is important.

賛成ですか

Sansei desu ka.

Do you agree?

Meaning: Do you agree?

When to use: Use to ask politely whether someone agrees with a suggestion or idea.

Tip: Using a flat tone can sound abrupt; use rising intonation or add ね for softness.

この計画で進めてもいいですか、賛成ですか。

Kono keikaku de susumete mo ii desu ka, sansei desu ka.

Can we go ahead with this plan — do you agree?

日程を変更します。賛成ですか。

Nittei o henkō shimasu. Sansei desu ka.

I'll change the schedule. Do you agree?

賛成できません。

Sansei dekimasen.

I don't agree.

Meaning: I don't agree.

When to use: Use to state polite but direct disagreement; soften with ちょっと when needed.

Tip: Saying it too bluntly without softening language may sound rude.

その変更案には賛成できません。

Sono henkō-an ni wa sansei dekimasen.

I can't agree with that change.

今のやり方には賛成できません、理由があります。

Ima no yarikata ni wa sansei dekimasen, riyū ga arimasu.

I can't agree with the current method; there are reasons.

そうは思いません。

Sō wa omoimasen.

I don't think so.

Meaning: I don't think so.

When to use: Use to politely disagree with an opinion, suggestion, or guess.

それはうまくいくとは思いません。

Sore wa umaku iku to wa omoimasen.

I don't think that will work well.

そうは思いません。別の方法を考えましょう。

Sō wa omoimasen. Betsu no hōhō o kangaemashō.

I don't think so. Let's think of another method.

その通りです

Sono tōri desu.

Exactly.

Meaning: Exactly.

When to use: Use to show strong agreement when someone states something accurate or important.

その通りです。まず顧客のニーズを優先しましょう。

Sono tōri desu. Mazu kokyaku no nīzu o yūsen shimashō.

Exactly. Let's prioritize the customer's needs first.

その通りです、データが示しています。

Sono tōri desu, dēta ga shimeshiteimasu.

Exactly — the data shows that.

なるほど、分かります。

Naruhodo, wakarimasu.

That makes sense.

Meaning: That makes sense.

When to use: Use when you understand and accept someone’s explanation or reasoning.

なるほど、分かります。時間が足りないのですね。

Naruhodo, wakarimasu. Jikan ga tarinai no desu ne.

I see — that makes sense. There's not enough time.

なるほど、分かります。予算の問題ですね。

Naruhodo, wakarimasu. Yosan no mondai desu ne.

I understand — that makes sense. It's a budget issue.

それはいい点ですね。

Sore wa ii ten desu ne.

That's a good point.

Meaning: That's a good point.

When to use: Use to acknowledge a useful idea or consideration someone raised.

それはいい点ですね、チームの意見を聞くべきです。

Sore wa ii ten desu ne, chīmu no iken o kiku beki desu.

That's a good point — we should ask the team's opinion.

それはいい点ですね、リスクを減らせます。

Sore wa ii ten desu ne, risuku o herasemasu.

That's a good point — it can reduce risk.

言いたいことはわかります。

Iitai koto wa wakarimasu.

I see your point.

Meaning: I see your point.

When to use: Use to show you understand part of the other person's argument before adding your view.

言いたいことはわかります。でもコストが心配です。

Iitai koto wa wakarimasu. Demo kosuto ga shinpai desu.

I see your point. But I'm worried about the cost.

言いたいことはわかります。少し検討が必要です。

Iitai koto wa wakarimasu. Sukoshi kentō ga hitsuyō desu.

I see your point. We need to consider it a bit more.

私も同じように思います。

Watashi mo onaji yō ni omoimasu.

I feel the same way.

Meaning: I feel the same way.

When to use: Use when you want to emphasize that you share the same opinion or feeling strongly.

私も同じように思います。優先順位を変えましょう。

Watashi mo onaji yō ni omoimasu. Yūsen jun'i o kaemashō.

I feel the same way. Let's change the priorities.

私も同じように思います。これは重要です。

Watashi mo onaji yō ni omoimasu. Kore wa jūyō desu.

I feel the same way. This is important.

Japanese - Agreeing and Disagreeing

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means "I don't agree"?

Which phrase would you use to ask "Do you agree?" politely?

Which phrase best matches 'That makes sense'?

Which phrase expresses strong agreement like 'Exactly'?

I agree with the proposal to change the meeting day to Friday.

After hearing the explanation about the new procedure, she said 'I think so too.'

After hearing his explanation, the team answered 'That makes sense.'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice