Japanese - Agreeing and Disagreeing

Lesson 31 of 168

Two colleagues in a meeting politely discussing a plan in Japanese, showing agreement and disagreement phrases.

Goal: Polite ways to agree, partly agree, or disagree

Free Japanese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Nice work reaching Lesson 31 — we’re practicing polite agreement and disagreement. This lesson keeps it friendly: hear short phrases, try them in a quick dialogue, then speak them aloud.

Level A2: In this lesson you'll practice common polite phrases to agree, partly agree, or disagree in everyday conversations. We'll focus on frames like そうかもしれませんが、___ and それはちょっとどうでしょうか。 You'll listen, try a short dialogue, and practice with quizzes — CEFR-aligned and ready for real talks. Consider this Lesson 31 your disagreement toolkit: useful, polite, and not pushy.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Level A2: Recognize and use polite disagreement and partial-agreement phrases (e.g., そうかもしれませんが、___；一部は賛成です)。
  • Practice soft refusals and showing understanding (e.g., わかりますが、___；残念ですが、賛成できません)。
  • Speak each chunk aloud so you can use them in real conversations.
A small office discussion in Japanese about a schedule, with one person partially agreeing and the other suggesting changes.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

そうかもしれませんが、___。

Sō kamoshiremasen ga, ___.

Maybe, but ___.

Meaning: Maybe, but ___.

When to use: Use when you partly agree with an idea but want to add a different opinion or reason.

そうかもしれませんが、別の方法も試しましょう。

Sō kamoshiremasen ga, betsu no hōhō mo tameshimashō.

Maybe, but let's try another method.
そうかもしれませんが、時間が足りないかもしれません。

Sō kamoshiremasen ga, jikan ga tarinai kamoshiremasen.

Maybe, but we might not have enough time.

それはちょっとどうでしょうか。

Sore wa chotto dō deshō ka.

I'm not sure about that.

Meaning: I'm not sure about that.

When to use: Use to gently question or softly disagree without saying something strong.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say はっきり『違います』 which sounds stronger; use this phrase to stay soft.

そのスケジュールは短すぎます。私はそれはちょっとどうでしょうか。

Sono sukejūru wa mijikasugimasu. Watashi wa sore wa chotto dō deshō ka.

That schedule is too short. I'm not so sure about that.
新しい案について、私はそれはちょっとどうでしょうかと感じます。

Atarashii an ni tsuite, watashi wa sore wa chotto dō deshō ka to kanjimasu.

About the new idea, I feel I'm not sure about that.

私は少し違う考えです。

Watashi wa sukoshi chigau kangae desu.

I see it differently.

Meaning: I see it differently.

When to use: Say this when your opinion is different from the other person's in a gentle way.

その点について、私は少し違う考えです。

Sono ten ni tsuite, watashi wa sukoshi chigau kangae desu.

On that point, I have a slightly different idea.
全体は良いですが、私は少し違う考えです。別の案を出します。

Zentai wa yoi desu ga, watashi wa sukoshi chigau kangae desu. Betsu no an wo dashimasu.

The overall idea is good, but I see it differently. I'll offer another suggestion.

一部は賛成です。

Ichibu wa sansei desu.

I partly agree.

Meaning: I partly agree.

When to use: Use when you agree with some parts but plan to add a contrasting point with が or でも.

Tip: Sometimes learners stop after 一部は賛成です without adding the contrasting point, which can leave the sentence unclear.

一部は賛成です。しかし、コストが心配です。

Ichibu wa sansei desu. Shikashi, kosuto ga shinpai desu.

I partly agree. However, I'm worried about the cost.
あのアイデアには一部は賛成ですが、締め切りは改善が必要です。

Ano aidea ni wa ichibu wa sansei desu ga, shimekiri wa kaizen ga hitsuyō desu.

I partly agree with that idea, but the deadline needs improvement.

___については賛成ですが、___。

___ ni tsuite wa sansei desu ga, ___.

I agree about ___, but ___ .

Meaning: I agree about ___, but ___.

When to use: Use to agree with a specific point (put a topic in the first blank) and then limit or add a reason in the second blank.

その計画については賛成ですが、予算が足りません。

Sono keikaku ni tsuite wa sansei desu ga, yosan ga tarimasen.

I agree about that plan, but the budget isn't enough.
安全対策については賛成ですが、実行方法をもう一度確認しましょう。

Anzen taisaku ni tsuite wa sansei desu ga, jikkō hōhō wo mō ichido kakunin shimashō.

I agree about safety measures, but let's check the implementation again.

それは合っていると思います。

Sore wa atte iru to omoimasu.

That sounds right.

Meaning: That sounds right.

When to use: Use to accept that someone's point is reasonable or correct.

彼の説明は論理的で、それは合っていると思います。

Kare no setsumei wa ronriteki de, sore wa atte iru to omoimasu.

His explanation is logical; that sounds right.
経験から言って、それは合っていると思います。

Keiken kara itte, sore wa atte iru to omoimasu.

From experience, I think that's correct.

半分はそうで、半分は違います。

Hanbun wa sō de, hanbun wa chigaimasu.

Yes and no.

Meaning: Yes and no.

When to use: Use when part of the statement is true for you but another part is not.

彼の見方は半分はそうで、半分は違います。

Kare no mikata wa hanbun wa sō de, hanbun wa chigaimasu.

His view is half right and half wrong.
この問題は半分はそうで、半分は違います。もう少し調べましょう。

Kono mondai wa hanbun wa sō de, hanbun wa chigaimasu. Mōsukoshi shirabemashō.

This issue is partly true and partly not; let's investigate more.

すみませんが、反対です。

Sumimasen ga, hantai desu.

I have to disagree.

Meaning: I have to disagree.

When to use: Use to politely say you oppose something; this is clear but still polite.

Tip: Some learners use this too often; in delicate situations, prefer softer phrases first.

すみませんが、反対です。別の案を考えたいです。

Sumimasen ga, hantai desu. Betsu no an wo kangaetai desu.

I'm sorry, I disagree. I'd like to think of another option.
その方向性にはすみませんが、反対です。理由を説明します。

Sono hōkōsei ni wa sumimasen ga, hantai desu. Riyū wo setsumei shimasu.

Sorry, I'm opposed to that direction. I'll explain why.

残念ですが、賛成できません。

Zannen desu ga, sansei dekimasen.

I'm afraid I disagree.

Meaning: I'm afraid I disagree.

When to use: Use a softer, slightly more formal refusal when you need to disagree gently.

提案はよく考えましたが、残念ですが、賛成できません。

Teian wa yoku kangaemashita ga, zannen desu ga, sansei dekimasen.

I thought about the proposal, but I'm afraid I can't agree.
条件が揃わないので、残念ですが、賛成できません。

Jōken ga sorowanai node, zannen desu ga, sansei dekimasen.

Conditions aren't met, so I'm afraid I can't agree.

いつもそうとは限りません。

Itsumo sō to wa kagirimasen.

That's not always true.

Meaning: That's not always true.

When to use: Use when you want to point out a claim isn't true in every case.

いつもそうとは限りません。状況が変わることがあります。

Itsumo sō to wa kagirimasen. Jōkyō ga kawaru koto ga arimasu.

That's not always true; situations can change.
この方法が必ず成功するとは、いつもそうとは限りません。

Kono hōhō ga kanarazu seikō suru to wa, itsumo sō to wa kagirimasen.

This method won't always succeed.

私は違う意見です。

Watashi wa chigau iken desu.

I have a different opinion.

Meaning: I have a different opinion.

When to use: Use this simple phrase to state you disagree or have another point of view.

その点について、私は違う意見です。

Sono ten ni tsuite, watashi wa chigau iken desu.

On that point, I have a different opinion.
多くの人がそう言いますが、私は違う意見です。

Ōku no hito ga sō iimasu ga, watashi wa chigau iken desu.

Many people say that, but I have a different opinion.

わかりますが、___。

Wakarimasu ga, ___.

I understand, but ___ .

Meaning: I understand, but ___.

When to use: Use to show you understand the other side and then give a different view or a concern.

わかりますが、リスクが大きすぎます。

Wakarimasu ga, risuku ga ōkisugimasu.

I understand, but the risk is too large.
おっしゃることはわかりますが、時間が足りません。

Ossharu koto wa wakarimasu ga, jikan ga tarimasen.

I understand what you say, but we don't have enough time.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David discuss a proposed schedule change and use polite disagreement to find common ground.

Anna and David talking at a table in Japanese, using soft disagreement and partial agreement phrases.

Are Anna and David agreeing or disagreeing about the plan?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

新しいシフト案はどう思いますか？

Atarashii shifuto-an wa dō omoimasu ka?

What do you think of the new shift plan?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

一部は賛成です。でも、夜勤が多すぎます。

Ichibu wa sansei desu. Demo, yakkin ga ōsugimasu.

I partly agree. But there are too many night shifts.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

そうかもしれませんが、人数が足りないんです。

Sō kamoshiremasen ga, ninzū ga tarinai n desu.

Maybe, but we don't have enough people.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

わかりますが、予算が限られています。

Wakarimasu ga, yosan ga kagirarete imasu.

I understand, but the budget is limited.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

それはちょっとどうでしょうか。別の配分を検討できますか？

Sore wa chotto dō deshō ka. Betsu no haibun wo kentō dekimasu ka?

I'm not sure about that. Can we consider a different allocation?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

残念ですが、賛成できません。もっと情報が必要です。

Zannen desu ga, sansei dekimasen. Motto jōhō ga hitsuyō desu.

I'm afraid I can't agree. We need more information.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase politely says 'I disagree'?

Which phrase best means 'I partly agree'?

Which phrase is a soft way to disagree while showing you understand?

Which phrase means 'That's not always true'?

I can agree with the overall plan, but some small parts are different. 'I partly agree.'

全体の計画には賛成できますが、細かい部分は違います。『___』

They said conditions aren't met. For a polite refusal: 'I'm afraid I can't agree.'

会議で条件が揃わないと言われた。丁寧に断る時に言うのは：『___』

When someone makes a strong proposal and you want to gently oppose it: 'I'm not sure about that.'

誰かが強い提案をしたとき、やんわりと反対するなら：『___』

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

そうかもしれませんが、___。

Sō kamoshiremasen ga, ___.

Maybe, but ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

それはちょっとどうでしょうか。

Sore wa chotto dō deshō ka.

I'm not sure about that.

Say this phrase out loud:

私は少し違う考えです。

Watashi wa sukoshi chigau kangae desu.

I see it differently.

Say this phrase out loud:

一部は賛成です。

Ichibu wa sansei desu.

I partly agree.

Say this phrase out loud:

___については賛成ですが、___。

___ ni tsuite wa sansei desu ga, ___.

I agree about ___, but ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

それは合っていると思います。

Sore wa atte iru to omoimasu.

That sounds right.

Say this phrase out loud:

半分はそうで、半分は違います。

Hanbun wa sō de, hanbun wa chigaimasu.

Yes and no.

Say this phrase out loud:

すみませんが、反対です。

Sumimasen ga, hantai desu.

I have to disagree.

Say this phrase out loud:

残念ですが、賛成できません。

Zannen desu ga, sansei dekimasen.

I'm afraid I disagree.

Say this phrase out loud:

いつもそうとは限りません。

Itsumo sō to wa kagirimasen.

That's not always true.

Say this phrase out loud:

私は違う意見です。

Watashi wa chigau iken desu.

I have a different opinion.

Say this phrase out loud:

わかりますが、___。

Wakarimasu ga, ___.

I understand, but ___.