Welcome! In this short lesson you'll practice polite phrases that help you disagree without creating tension. Listen, repeat, and try them out — these are conversation-friendly tools for real meetings and chats.
Level B1: In this lesson you'll learn and practice common disagreement softeners — polite frames like ある程度は賛成です or 私が間違っているかもしれませんが、___ that help you partly agree, introduce a different view, or gently challenge an idea. CEFR-aligned and focused on social glue, you'll hear the phrases in a short dialogue, do quick quizzes, and practice saying each line aloud.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
Recognize and use common polite disagreement phrases (B1).
Practice softening your disagreement with natural spoken patterns.
Use these frames appropriately in a meeting or small-group discussion.
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.
ある程度は賛成です。
Aru teido wa sansei desu.
I agree up to a point.
Meaning: I agree up to a point.
When to use: Use this to show partial agreement before adding a concern or alternative. Often followed by が or けど: ある程度は賛成ですが、...
Tip: Avoid saying this alone when you actually want to fully accept — add your brief concern after が or けど.
その案にはある程度は賛成です。でも費用が心配です。
Aru teido wa sansei desu. Demo hiyō ga shinpai desu.
I agree with that plan to an extent. But I'm worried about the cost.
ある程度は賛成です。方法を少し変えればもっと良いと思います。
Aru teido wa sansei desu. Hōhō o sukoshi kaereba motto yoi to omoimasu.
I mostly agree. If we change the approach a bit, it could be better.
そうかもしれませんが、私は___と思います。
Sō kamo shiremasen ga, watashi wa ___ to omoimasu.
Maybe, but I think ___.
Meaning: Maybe, but I think ___.
When to use: Use to accept a possibility and then offer a different opinion: そうかもしれませんが、私は___と思います。 Put a plain-form clause before と思います.
Tip: Remember to use the plain form before と思います; for nouns/adjectives add だ if needed (必要だと思います).
そうかもしれませんが、私は別の方法のほうが効果的だと思います。
Sō kamo shiremasen ga, watashi wa betsu no hōhō no hō ga kōkateki da to omoimasu.
Maybe, but I think another method would be more effective.
そうかもしれませんが、私は今は準備が必要だと思います。
Sō kamo shiremasen ga, watashi wa ima wa junbi ga hitsuyō da to omoimasu.
That might be so, but I think we need more preparation now.
分かりますが、私は___と感じます。
Wakarimasu ga, watashi wa ___ to kanjimasu.
I understand, but I feel ___.
Meaning: I understand, but I feel ___.
When to use: Use this to acknowledge someone's point and then express your feeling or impression: 分かりますが、私は___と感じます。 Put a plain-form clause before と感じます.
分かりますが、私は少し無理があると感じます。
Wakarimasu ga, watashi wa sukoshi muri ga aru to kanjimasu.
I understand, but I feel it might be a bit unrealistic.
分かりますが、私はチームの負担が増えると感じます。
Wakarimasu ga, watashi wa chīmu no futan ga fueru to kanjimasu.
I understand, but I feel the team's workload will increase.
それはちょっと違うかもしれません。
Sore wa chotto chigau kamo shiremasen.
I'm not sure that's right.
Meaning: I'm not sure that's right.
When to use: A gentle way to challenge an idea with ちょっと and かもしれません to soften the disagreement: それはちょっと違うかもしれません。
それはちょっと違うかもしれません。数字をもう一度確認しましょう。
Sore wa chotto chigau kamo shiremasen. Sūji o mō ichido kakunin shimashō.
I'm not sure that's right. Let's check the figures again.
それはちょっと違うかもしれません。別の視点も見てみたいです。
Sore wa chotto chigau kamo shiremasen. Betsu no shiten mo mitemitai desu.
That might be a little off. I'd like to see another perspective.
私が間違っているかもしれませんが、___。
Watashi ga machigatte iru kamo shiremasen ga, ___.
I might be wrong, but ___.
Meaning: I might be wrong, but ___.
When to use: Use this to present your disagreement as a personal perspective: 私が間違っているかもしれませんが、___. The sentence after ___ should be a complete thought.
Tip: Don't follow this with an unfinished phrase — complete the thought after が for clarity.
私が間違っているかもしれませんが、納期はもう少し長くしたほうがいいです。
Watashi ga machigatte iru kamo shiremasen ga, nōki wa mō sukoshi nagaku shita hō ga ii desu.
I might be wrong, but I think the deadline should be a bit longer.
私が間違っているかもしれませんが、顧客のニーズは別です。
Watashi ga machigatte iru kamo shiremasen ga, kokyaku no nīzu wa betsu desu.
I may be wrong, but the customer's needs are different.
私は少し違う見方をしています。
Watashi wa sukoshi chigau mikata o shite imasu.
I see it a little differently.
Meaning: I see it a little differently.
When to use: Polite way to introduce a different interpretation without sounding too direct: 私は少し違う見方をしています。
私は少し違う見方をしています。コストより長期の利益を重視したいです。
Watashi wa sukoshi chigau mikata o shite imasu. Kosuto yori chōki no rieki o jūshi shitai desu.
I see it a little differently. I want to emphasize long-term gains over cost.
私は少し違う見方をしています。別のデータを見る必要があると思います。
Watashi wa sukoshi chigau mikata o shite imasu. Betsu no dēta o miru hitsuyō ga aru to omoimasu.
I view it a bit differently. I think we need to look at other data.
確かにそうですが、___。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, ___.
That's true, but ___.
Meaning: That's true, but ___.
When to use: Use 確かにそうですが、___ before adding a contrasting concern or point: the clause after ___ is your contrast.
確かにそうですが、締め切りに間に合うか疑問です。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, shimekiri ni ma ni au ka gimon desu.
That's true, but I'm doubtful we can meet the deadline.
確かにそうですが、コストの見積もりが不十分です。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, kosuto no mitsumori ga fujūbun desu.
Indeed, but the cost estimate is insufficient.
少し付け加えてもいいですか？
Sukoshi tsukekuwaete mo ii desu ka?
Can I add something?
Meaning: Can I add something?
When to use: Use this in meetings to politely ask permission to add a point: 少し付け加えてもいいですか？ Casual: 少し付け加えてもいい？
少し付け加えてもいいですか？この点は重要だと思います。
Sukoshi tsukekuwaete mo ii desu ka? Kono ten wa jūyō da to omoimasu.
Can I add something? I think this point is important.
少し付け加えてもいいですか？実は別のデータがあります。
Sukoshi tsukekuwaete mo ii desu ka? Jitsu wa betsu no dēta ga arimasu.
May I add something? I actually have different data.
言いたいことはわかりますが、___。
Iitai koto wa wakarimasu ga, ___.
I hear what you're saying, but ___.
Meaning: I hear what you're saying, but ___.
When to use: Use this to show active listening before introducing a contrasting opinion: 言いたいことはわかりますが、___。 Casual: 言いたいことはわかるけど、___.
言いたいことはわかりますが、時間の見積もりが楽観的すぎます。
Iitai koto wa wakarimasu ga, jikan no mitsumori ga rakkan-teki sugimasu.
I understand what you're saying, but the time estimate is too optimistic.
言いたいことはわかりますが、顧客の視点をもっと調査したほうがいいです。
Iitai koto wa wakarimasu ga, kokyaku no shiten o motto chōsa shita hō ga ii desu.
I get your point, but we should research the customer's perspective more.
たしかにそうですが、___。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, ___.
Fair enough, but ___.
Meaning: Fair enough, but ___.
When to use: Use たしかにそうですが、___ to accept part of the other person's point then gently add your concern.
たしかにそうですが、リスク管理がまだ不十分です。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, risuku kanri ga mada fujūbun desu.
Fair enough, but risk management is still insufficient.
たしかにそうですが、長期的な影響も考えるべきです。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, chōkiteki na eikyō mo kangaeru beki desu.
True, but we should also consider long-term effects.
間違っていると言いたいわけではないんですが、___。
Machigatte iru to iitai wake dewa nai n desu ga, ___.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but ___.
Meaning: I'm not saying you're wrong, but ___.
When to use: Use this to disagree without directly accusing the other person of being wrong: 間違っていると言いたいわけではないんですが、___。
間違っていると言いたいわけではないんですが、今の方法は改善の余地があります。
Machigatte iru to iitai wake dewa nai n desu ga, ima no hōhō wa kaizen no yochi ga arimasu.
I'm not saying you're wrong, but the current method could be improved.
間違っていると言いたいわけではないんですが、別の案も検討したいです。
Machigatte iru to iitai wake dewa nai n desu ga, betsu no an mo kentō shitai desu.
Not to say you're wrong, but I'd like to consider another option.
___にはあまり賛成できません。
___ ni wa amari sansei dekimasen.
I don't quite agree with ___.
Meaning: I don't quite agree with ___.
When to use: Use ___にはあまり賛成できません to express partial or gentle disagreement. Put a noun or idea in the blank, e.g., その意見にはあまり賛成できません。
その提案にはあまり賛成できません。根拠が不十分です。
Sono teian ni wa amari sansei dekimasen. Konkyo ga fujūbun desu.
I can't really agree with that proposal. The rationale is insufficient.
その計画のスケジュールにはあまり賛成できません。
Sono keikaku no sukejūru ni wa amari sansei dekimasen.
I don't really agree with that project's schedule.
___とは、まだ思えません。
___ to wa, mada omoemasen.
I'm not convinced that ___.
Meaning: I'm not convinced that ___.
When to use: Use ___とは、まだ思えません to express doubt politely; insert a plain-form clause in the blank: それが正しいとは、まだ思えません。
その方法が最適だとは、まだ思えません。もっと検証が必要です。
Sono hōhō ga saiteki da to wa, mada omoemasen. Motto kenshō ga hitsuyō desu.
I'm not yet convinced that method is optimal; we need more validation.
これで問題が解決するとまでは、まだ思えません。
Kore de mondai ga kaiketsu suru to wa, mada omoemasen.
I'm not convinced that this will solve the problem yet.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Project meeting where Anna and David politely discuss a tight deadline
Who asks to add something to the discussion?
Anna
ある程度は賛成です。でも、締め切りが短すぎると思います。
Aru teido wa sansei desu. Demo, shimekiri ga mijikasugiru to omoimasu.
I agree to an extent. But I think the deadline is too short.
David
そうかもしれませんが、追加の予算があれば可能かもしれません。
Sō kamo shiremasen ga, tsuika no yosan ga areba kanō kamo shiremasen.
Maybe so, but if there's extra budget it might be possible.
Anna
少し付け加えてもいいですか？
Sukoshi tsukekuwaete mo ii desu ka?
Can I add something?
David
どうぞ
Dōzo.
Go ahead.
Anna
言いたいことはわかりますが、リソースが足りないと感じます。
Iitai koto wa wakarimasu ga, risōsu ga tarinai to kanjimasu.
I hear what you're saying, but I feel we don't have enough resources.
David
私が間違っているかもしれませんが、外部の人を短期で雇うのはどうでしょうか？
Watashi ga machigatte iru kamo shiremasen ga, gaibu no hito o tanki de yatou no wa dō deshō ka?
I might be wrong, but how about hiring someone externally for a short period?
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which phrase means 'Can I add something?'
Which phrase politely admits you might be wrong before speaking?
Which phrase expresses 'I see it a little differently'?
Which phrase would you use to gently challenge a specific idea?
When you admit you might be wrong before giving your opinion: 'I might be wrong, but...'
自分が間違っている可能性を認めてから意見を言うとき：___。
Jibun ga machigatte iru kanōsei o mitomete kara iken o iu toki: ___.
Use 'I see it a little differently' to politely state an alternate interpretation.
会議で自分の別の解釈を控えめに述べるとき、使うのは：___。
Kaigi de jibun no betsu no kaishaku o hikaeme ni noberu toki, tsukau no wa: ___.
Start with 'I agree up to a point' when you partially agree and then add a concern.
部分的に同意してから懸念を示す出だし：___。
Bubun-teki ni dōi shite kara kenen o shimesu dedashi: ___.
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:
ある程度は賛成です。
Aru teido wa sansei desu.
I agree up to a point.
Say this phrase out loud:
そうかもしれませんが、私は___と思います。
Sō kamo shiremasen ga, watashi wa ___ to omoimasu.
Maybe, but I think ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
分かりますが、私は___と感じます。
Wakarimasu ga, watashi wa ___ to kanjimasu.
I understand, but I feel ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
それはちょっと違うかもしれません。
Sore wa chotto chigau kamo shiremasen.
I'm not sure that's right.
Say this phrase out loud:
私が間違っているかもしれませんが、___。
Watashi ga machigatte iru kamo shiremasen ga, ___.
I might be wrong, but ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
私は少し違う見方をしています。
Watashi wa sukoshi chigau mikata o shite imasu.
I see it a little differently.
Say this phrase out loud:
確かにそうですが、___。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, ___.
That's true, but ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
少し付け加えてもいいですか？
Sukoshi tsukekuwaete mo ii desu ka?
Can I add something?
Say this phrase out loud:
言いたいことはわかりますが、___。
Iitai koto wa wakarimasu ga, ___.
I hear what you're saying, but ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
たしかにそうですが、___。
Tashika ni sō desu ga, ___.
Fair enough, but ___.
Say this phrase out loud:
間違っていると言いたいわけではないんですが、___。
Machigatte iru to iitai wake dewa nai n desu ga, ___.
