Japanese - Simple Explanations

Lesson 44 of 168

A friendly teacher explaining simple Japanese phrases on a whiteboard about reasons and summaries; text shows Japanese explanation frames.

Goal: Short, clear ways to explain why and what to do

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

Welcome! In this short B1 lesson we'll focus on natural phrases to explain things simply — reasons, main points, and quick summaries. Try listening, repeating, and then using the phrases out loud.

Level B1: In this lesson you'll practice handy explanation phrases like 'つまり、___ ということです。' and 'ポイントは、___ ことです。' to give reasons, restate, and check understanding. This CEFR-aligned lesson has short explanations, a mini-conversation, quizzes, and speaking prompts so you can explain ideas clearly in Japanese.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Practice giving short reasons and purposes (e.g. "___ ために、これをします。").
  • Learn simple summary phrases to restate and clarify (e.g. "簡単に言うと、___。" "つまり、___ ということです。").
  • Use polite and neutral explanatory frames and check listener understanding (e.g. "ここまで大丈夫ですか？").
  • Build confidence explaining processes and main points at B1.
Two colleagues in an office talking through a process in Japanese, showing how to give main points and reasons simply.

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.

___ で、___。

___ de, ___. 偏りなし。Standard Japanese (Tokyo)

Because of ___, ___.

Meaning: Because of ___, ___.

When to use: Use this to give a short cause and result. Put a noun or short reason before で and the result after.

Tip: Don't use a full sentence before で; use a short noun/phrase or use ので/から for full clauses.

雨で、試合が中止になりました。

Ame de, shiai ga chūshi ni narimashita.

Because of the rain, the game was canceled.
混雑で、電車に乗れませんでした。

Konzatsu de, densha ni noremasen deshita.

Because of the crowding, I couldn't get on the train.

つまり、___ ということです。

Tsumari, ___ to iu koto desu.

What I mean is ___.

Meaning: What I mean is ___.

When to use: Use this to restate or clarify a point in simpler words. Put a sentence or content in the blank.

つまり、明日は会議があるということです。

Tsumari, ashita wa kaigi ga aru to iu koto desu.

In short, there is a meeting tomorrow.
つまり、締め切りを延ばせないということです。

Tsumari, shimekiri o nobasenai to iu koto desu.

That is, the deadline can't be extended.

簡単に言うと、___。

Kantan ni iu to, ___.

In simple words, ___.

Meaning: In simple words, ___.

When to use: Use this when you want to restate something complicated more simply. What follows can be polite or plain.

簡単に言うと、データは毎日バックアップするべきです。

Kantan ni iu to, dēta wa mainichi bakkappu suru beki desu.

Simply put, data should be backed up every day.
簡単に言うと、手順は３つだけです。

Kantan ni iu to, tejun wa mittsu dake desu.

In short, there are only three steps.

ポイントは、___ ことです。

Pointo wa, ___ koto desu.

The idea is to ___.

Meaning: The idea is to ___.

When to use: Use this to state the main actionable point. Put a verb dictionary form in the blank (〜することです).

Tip: Beginner learners sometimes forget to use the dictionary form before ことです (use 〜することです).

ポイントは、毎日少し練習することです。

Pointo wa, mainichi sukoshi renshū suru koto desu.

The point is to practice a little every day.
ポイントは、まず計画を立てることです。

Pointo wa, mazu keikaku o tateru koto desu.

The key is to make a plan first.

___ ために、これをします。

___ tame ni, kore o shimasu.

We do this to ___.

Meaning: We do this to ___.

When to use: Use this to explain purpose. Put a dictionary-form verb phrase before ために.

時間を節約するために、予約システムを使います。

Jikan o setsuyaku suru tame ni, yoyaku shisutemu o tsukaimasu.

We use the booking system to save time.
理解を深めるために、例を見せます。

Rikai o fukameru tame ni, rei o misemasu.

To deepen understanding, I'll show an example.

もし ___ なら、___。

Moshi ___ nara, ___.

If ___, then ___.

Meaning: If ___, then ___.

When to use: Use this to state a simple condition. The blank can be a noun, adjective, or short clause.

Tip: Don't confuse なら with たら; なら is good for general conditions or assumptions.

もし雨なら、イベントは屋内で行います。

Moshi ame nara, ibento wa okunai de okonaimasu.

If it rains, the event will be held indoors.
もし時間があれば、手伝ってください。

Moshi jikan ga areba, tetsudatte kudasai.

If you have time, please help.

聞いた感じほど難しくないです。

Kiita kanji hodo muzukashiku nai desu.

It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Meaning: It's not as difficult as it sounds.

When to use: Use this to reassure someone that a task or topic is easier than expected.

心配しないでください。聞いた感じほど難しくないです。

Shinpai shinaide kudasai. Kiita kanji hodo muzukashiku nai desu.

Don't worry. It's not as difficult as it sounds.
説明を聞いたら、聞いた感じほど難しくないです。

Setsumei o kiitara, kiita kanji hodo muzukashiku nai desu.

After hearing the explanation, it's not as hard as it sounded.

基本的には、___。

Kihonteki ni wa, ___.

Basically, ___.

Meaning: Basically, ___.

When to use: Use this to summarize the general idea or rule. A short clause or sentence follows.

基本的には、土日は返信しません。

Kihonteki ni wa, do-nichi wa henshin shimasen.

Basically, I don't reply on weekends.
基本的には、まずログインしてから始めます。

Kihonteki ni wa, mazu roguin shite kara hajimemasu.

Basically, start by logging in first.

ここまで大丈夫ですか？

Koko made daijōbu desu ka?

Does that make sense?

Meaning: Does that make sense?

When to use: Use this during or after an explanation to gently check understanding.

ここまで大丈夫ですか？分からないところはありますか？

Koko made daijōbu desu ka? Wakaranai tokoro wa arimasu ka?

Is everything okay so far? Is there anything you don't understand?
ゆっくり説明します。ここまで大丈夫ですか？

Yukkuri setsumei shimasu. Koko made daijōbu desu ka?

I'll explain slowly. Is this okay so far?

一番大事なポイントは___です。

Ichiban daiji na pointo wa ___ desu.

The main point is ___ .

Meaning: The main point is ___.

When to use: Use this to state the single most important idea. Insert a noun or short phrase after は.

一番大事なポイントは時間管理です。

Ichiban daiji na pointo wa jikan kanri desu.

The most important point is time management.
一番大事なポイントはコミュニケーションです。

Ichiban daiji na pointo wa komyunikēshon desu.

The main point is communication.

仕組みはこうです。___。

Shikumi wa kō desu. ___.

It works like this: ___ .

Meaning: It works like this: ___.

When to use: Use this to explain how something functions or the system's workflow; follow with concrete steps.

仕組みはこうです。データがサーバーに送られて保存されます。

Shikumi wa kō desu. Dēta ga sābā ni okurarete hozon saremasu.

The system works like this: data is sent to the server and stored.
仕組みはこうです。ユーザーが入力して、結果が表示されます。

Shikumi wa kō desu. Yūzā ga nyūryoku shite, kekka ga hyōji saremasu.

It works like this: the user inputs data and results are displayed.

___ための方法です。

___ tame no hōhō desu.

It's a way to ___ .

Meaning: It's a way to ___.

When to use: Use this to describe a method for achieving a goal. Put a dictionary-form verb phrase before ための方法です。

効率よく学ぶための方法です。

Kōritsu yoku manabu tame no hōhō desu.

It's a way to learn more efficiently.
お金を節約するための方法です。

Okane o setsuyaku suru tame no hōhō desu.

It's a way to save money.

理由は、___からです。

Riyū wa, ___ kara desu.

The reason is that ___ .

Meaning: The reason is that ___.

When to use: Use this to state the reason clearly; a full sentence in plain form often follows before からです。

Tip: Learners sometimes drop から and sound blunt; include からです to be polite and clear.

理由は、予算が足りないからです。

Riyū wa, yosan ga tarinai kara desu.

The reason is that the budget is insufficient.
理由は、スタッフが不足しているからです。

Riyū wa, sutaffu ga fusoku shite iru kara desu.

The reason is that staff are lacking.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna explains a new workflow to David in a short meeting.

Anna and David at a meeting table, Anna explaining the system step-by-step in Japanese using short explanation phrases.

What is Anna mainly doing in this conversation?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

基本的には、毎朝データをチェックします。

Kihonteki ni wa, mai-asa dēta o chekku shimasu.

Basically, we check the data every morning.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

理由は何ですか？

Riyū wa nan desu ka?

What's the reason?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

理由は、異常を早く見つけるからです。聞いた感じほど難しくないです。

Riyū wa, ijō o hayaku mitsukeru kara desu. Kiita kanji hodo muzukashiku nai desu.

The reason is to find issues early. It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

なるほど。つまり、毎朝チェックすれば問題を防げるということですか？

Naruhodo. Tsumari, mai-asa chekku sureba mondai o fusegeru to iu koto desu ka?

I see. So, basically you mean checking each morning will prevent problems?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

はい。ポイントは、速く対応することです。ここまで大丈夫ですか？

Hai. Pointo wa, hayaku taiō suru koto desu. Koko made daijōbu desu ka?

Yes. The point is to respond quickly. Is that okay so far?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

はい、大丈夫です。もし通知が来ないなら、手動で確認します。

Hai, daijōbu desu. Moshi tsūchi ga konai nara, shudō de kakunin shimasu.

Yes, it's fine. If a notification doesn't come, I'll check manually.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase best means 'In short, ...'?

Which phrase would you use to check someone understands so far?

Which phrase starts a simple restatement in easier words?

Which phrase expresses purpose (we do X to accomplish Y)?

During the explanation the teacher asks: 'Does that make sense so far?'

説明の途中で先生が聞きます：「___？」（確認）

When speaking to an intermediate colleague: 'It's not as difficult as it sounds; preparation is simple.'

中級の同僚に言うとき："___、準備は簡単です。"

In a meeting when giving a conclusion: 'In short, we will use the new procedure starting tomorrow.'

会議で結論を言う時："___、明日から新しい手順を使います。"

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:

___ で、___。

___ de, ___. 偏りなし。Standard Japanese (Tokyo)

Because of ___, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

つまり、___ ということです。

Tsumari, ___ to iu koto desu.

What I mean is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

簡単に言うと、___。

Kantan ni iu to, ___.

In simple words, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

ポイントは、___ ことです。

Pointo wa, ___ koto desu.

The idea is to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ ために、これをします。

___ tame ni, kore o shimasu.

We do this to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

もし ___ なら、___。

Moshi ___ nara, ___.

If ___, then ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

聞いた感じほど難しくないです。

Kiita kanji hodo muzukashiku nai desu.

It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Say this phrase out loud:

基本的には、___。

Kihonteki ni wa, ___.

Basically, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

ここまで大丈夫ですか？

Koko made daijōbu desu ka?

Does that make sense?

Say this phrase out loud:

一番大事なポイントは___です。

Ichiban daiji na pointo wa ___ desu.

The main point is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

仕組みはこうです。___。

Shikumi wa kō desu. ___.

It works like this: ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ための方法です。

___ tame no hōhō desu.

It's a way to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

理由は、___からです。

Riyū wa, ___ kara desu.

The reason is that ___.