Japanese - Simple Explanations

Lesson 45 of 168

A friendly teacher explaining simple Japanese phrases for giving reasons and comparisons; text shows Japanese phrases for 'explanation' topic.

Goal: Clear, short ways to explain and compare

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

Welcome! This short lesson helps you explain things clearly in Japanese—great for meetings, study groups, or friendly explanations. Have fun: say the phrases aloud and imagine you're the helpful explainer in the room.

Level B1: Lesson 45 focuses on handy explanation frames like “だから、___です。” and “理由は二つあります。___と___です。” You'll practice giving short conclusions, pointing out the problem, comparing ideas, and offering simple summaries (CEFR-aligned). By the end you'll be more confident explaining reasons and differences in everyday conversations.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and use common explanation frames such as だから、___です。 (Dakara, ___ desu.) and 簡単に言うと、___です。 (Kantan ni iu to, ___ desu.)
  • State problems, differences, and simple summaries clearly in spoken Japanese.
  • Produce short spoken explanations and comparisons in realistic mini-conversations (Level B1).
Two people in a café discussing why a plan changed; Japanese explanation phrases appear as speech bubbles related to the topic.

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.

だから、___です。

Dakara, ___ desu.

That's why ___ .

Meaning: That's why ___.

When to use: Use this after giving a reason to state the result or conclusion. In casual speech you can drop です and say だから、___。

Tip: Don't put the reason after だから without first stating it. Also avoid using から twice (e.g., 〜から、だから...).

荷物が多かった。だから、タクシーに乗りました。

Nimotsu ga Ōkatta. Dakara, takushī ni norimashita.

I had a lot of luggage. That's why I took a taxi.
風邪をひいた。だから、今日は休みます。

Kaze o hiita. Dakara, kyō wa yasumimasu.

I caught a cold. That's why I'm taking today off.

問題は、___ことです。

Mondai wa, ___ koto desu.

The problem is that ___ .

Meaning: The problem is that ___.

When to use: Use this to point out the main issue. Put a plain form clause inside the blank; usually you don't put です inside the clause.

Tip: Beginners sometimes add です inside the blank (e.g., 「時間が足りませんです」). Use the plain form inside and finish with ことです.

問題は、時間が足りないことです。

Mondai wa, jikan ga tarinai koto desu.

The problem is that there's not enough time.
問題は、説明が不十分なことです。

Mondai wa, setsumei ga fujūbun na koto desu.

The problem is that the explanation is insufficient.

___に似ています。

___ ni nite imasu.

It's similar to ___ .

Meaning: It's similar to ___.

When to use: Use this to compare an unfamiliar thing to something the listener already knows. Put a noun after に.

Tip: Forgetting the particle に after the familiar item (e.g., saying 「似ています」 without に).

このアプリは、家計簿アプリに似ています。

Kono apuri wa, kakeibo apuri ni nite imasu.

This app is similar to a household budget app.
その味は、チョコレートに似ています。

Sono aji wa, chokorēto ni nite imasu.

That flavor is similar to chocolate.

違いは、___です。

Chigai wa, ___ desu.

The difference is ___ .

Meaning: The difference is ___.

When to use: Use this to say how two things differ. Put a noun phrase or short explanation in the blank.

違いは、サイズです。

Chigai wa, saizu desu.

The difference is the size.
違いは、色と材質です。

Chigai wa, iro to zaishitsu desu.

The differences are color and material.

理由は二つあります。___と___です。

Riyū wa futatsu arimasu. ___ to ___ desu.

There are two reasons: ___ and ___ .

Meaning: There are two reasons: ___ and ___.

When to use: Use this to list two main reasons. The blanks usually take noun phrases or clauses with の/こと.

理由は二つあります。時間がないことと、予算が足りないことです。

Riyū wa futatsu arimasu. Jikan ga nai koto to, yosan ga tarinai koto desu.

There are two reasons: not enough time and not enough budget.
理由は二つあります。経験の不足と健康の問題です。

Riyū wa futatsu arimasu. Keiken no fusoku to kenkō no mondai desu.

There are two reasons: lack of experience and health issues.

別の言い方をすると、___。

Betsu no iikata o suru to, ___.

To put it another way, ___.

Meaning: To put it another way, ___.

When to use: Use this to rephrase or clarify an idea in a simpler or different way. Put a full sentence in the blank.

別の言い方をすると、早く始めたほうが安全です。

Betsu no iikata o suru to, hayaku hajimeta hō ga anzen desu.

To put it another way, starting early is safer.
別の言い方をすると、予算を半分にしてください。

Betsu no iikata o suru to, yosan o hanbun ni shite kudasai.

Put another way, please halve the budget.

一番簡単に説明すると、___。

Ichiban kantan ni setsumei suru to, ___.

The easiest way to explain it is ___.

Meaning: The easiest way to explain it is ___.

When to use: Start a simple explanation for a complex idea. Put a short explanatory sentence in the blank.

一番簡単に説明すると、これはネット上の図書館です。

Ichiban kantan ni setsumei suru to, kore wa netto-jō no toshokan desu.

The easiest way to explain it is: this is an online library.
一番簡単に説明すると、データは自動で整理されます。

Ichiban kantan ni setsumei suru to, dēta wa jidō de seiri saremasu.

Simply put, the data is organized automatically.

これは、___という意味です。

Kore wa, ___ to iu imi desu.

This means that ___.

Meaning: This means that ___.

When to use: Use this to explain the meaning of a word, action, or situation. The blank can be a sentence or phrase.

これは、もっと練習が必要だという意味です。

Kore wa, motto renshū ga hitsuyō da to iu imi desu.

This means that more practice is needed.
この記号は、注意が必要だという意味です。

Kono kigō wa, chūi ga hitsuyō da to iu imi desu.

This symbol means that caution is necessary.

この場合は、___。

Kono baai wa, ___.

In this case, ___.

Meaning: In this case, ___.

When to use: Use this to limit your explanation to the situation you're discussing. Put a sentence explaining the specific case.

この場合は、早めに連絡してください。

Kono baai wa, hayame ni renraku shite kudasai.

In this case, please contact us early.
この場合は、返金はできません。

Kono baai wa, henkin wa dekimasen.

In this case, refunds are not possible.

短く答えると、___です。

Mijikaku kotaeru to, ___ desu.

The short answer is ___.

Meaning: The short answer is ___.

When to use: Use this to give a quick direct answer before explaining details. Adjust です if the blank is a full sentence.

短く答えると、はいできます。

Mijikaku kotaeru to, hai dekimasu.

The short answer is: yes, you can.
短く答えると、いいえ、難しいです。

Mijikaku kotaeru to, iie, muzukashii desu.

The short answer is: no, it's difficult.

基本のルールは、___です。

Kihon no rūru wa, ___ desu.

The basic rule is ___.

Meaning: The basic rule is ___.

When to use: Use this to state a simple general rule. The blank usually contains a noun phrase or a short statement.

基本のルールは、時間を守ることです。

Kihon no rūru wa, jikan o mamoru koto desu.

The basic rule is to be on time.
基本のルールは、写真を撮らないことです。

Kihon no rūru wa, shashin o toranai koto desu.

The basic rule is not to take photos.

簡単に言うと、___です。

Kantan ni iu to, ___ desu.

The simple version is ___ .

Meaning: The simple version is ___.

When to use: Use this to give a short summary before a longer explanation. If the blank is a sentence, you can drop です.

簡単に言うと、これは毎日使うツールです。

Kantan ni iu to, kore wa mainichi tsukau tsūru desu.

Simply put, this is a tool used every day.
簡単に言うと、データはクラウドに保存されます。

Kantan ni iu to, dēta wa kuraudo ni hozon saremasu.

The simple version is that data is saved to the cloud.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna explains why a meeting changed time to David.

Anna and David sitting with coffee, Anna explaining a problem and its two reasons using example Japanese explanation frames.

What is Anna mainly explaining?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

理由は二つあります。交通の遅れと準備が足りないことです。

Riyū wa futatsu arimasu. Kōtsū no okure to junbi ga tarinai koto desu.

There are two reasons: transportation delays and lack of preparation.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

それで、会議はどうなりますか？

Sore de, kaigi wa dō narimasu ka?

So, what will happen with the meeting?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

短く答えると、午後に延期です。だから、資料を直す時間があります。

Mijikaku kotaeru to, gogo ni enki desu. Dakara, shiryō o naosu jikan ga arimasu.

The short answer is it's postponed to the afternoon. That's why there will be time to fix the materials.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

別の言い方をすると、明日の朝に急いで準備しなくていいんですね？

Betsu no iikata o suru to, ashita no asa ni isoide junbi shinakute ī n desu ne?

To put it another way, we don't need to rush and prepare tomorrow morning, right?

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

この場合は、そうです。違いは、準備の時間が増える点です。

Kono baai wa, sō desu. Chigai wa, junbi no jikan ga fueru ten desu.

In this case, that's right. The difference is that we get more preparation time.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

一番簡単に説明すると、午後に集まれば大丈夫ですね。

Ichiban kantan ni setsumei suru to, gogo ni atsumareba daijōbu desu ne.

The easiest way to explain it: if we meet in the afternoon, it's fine.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which sentence correctly uses the frame '問題は、___ことです。'?

Which choice best completes '___に似ています。' to compare a new drink to tea?

Which sentence uses 'だから、___です。' to show a conclusion?

To give a short, direct lead-in before details, which phrase fits?

The meeting ran long. That's why I didn't have lunch.

会議が長引いている。___、昼食を取りませんでした。

What's the new system? It's similar to the old one, but faster.

新しいシステムは何ですか？___、古いシステムに似ていますが速度が速いです。

Answering the client: There are two reasons: cost and time. That's why we changed the plan.

クライアントに答えるとき：理由は二つあります。コストと時間です。___、計画を変更しました。

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:

だから、___です。

Dakara, ___ desu.

That's why ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

問題は、___ことです。

Mondai wa, ___ koto desu.

The problem is that ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

___に似ています。

___ ni nite imasu.

It's similar to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

違いは、___です。

Chigai wa, ___ desu.

The difference is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

理由は二つあります。___と___です。

Riyū wa futatsu arimasu. ___ to ___ desu.

There are two reasons: ___ and ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

別の言い方をすると、___。

Betsu no iikata o suru to, ___.

To put it another way, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

一番簡単に説明すると、___。

Ichiban kantan ni setsumei suru to, ___.

The easiest way to explain it is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

これは、___という意味です。

Kore wa, ___ to iu imi desu.

This means that ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

この場合は、___。

Kono baai wa, ___.

In this case, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

短く答えると、___です。

Mijikaku kotaeru to, ___ desu.

The short answer is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

基本のルールは、___です。

Kihon no rūru wa, ___ desu.

The basic rule is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

簡単に言うと、___です。

Kantan ni iu to, ___ desu.

The simple version is ___.