Japanese - Empathy

Lesson 93 of 168

A gentle scene of two people talking in Japanese about a difficult day; the lesson topic is empathy in Japanese.

Goal: Warm phrases to listen and reassure

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

Hi — ready to practice some gentle Japanese for real conversations? This short lesson focuses on simple, natural phrases you can use when someone needs support. Listen, repeat, then try them aloud.

Level B1: In Lesson 93 we'll practice three polite phrases for showing empathy and offering comfort: 听いていますよ (Kiite imasu yo) to show you're listening, 少しでも楽にできたらいいんですが (Sukoshi demo raku ni dekitara ii n desu ga) to express a wish you could help, and あなたのせいじゃないです (Anata no sei ja nai desu) to reassure someone it isn't their fault. This CEFR-aligned set helps you sound warm and natural in everyday support conversations.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Understand and use three polite empathy phrases in spoken conversation.
  • Practice listening and repeating natural responses in supportive situations.
  • Build confidence giving reassurance at Level B1.
Two friends sitting at a café, one listening attentively to the other; the image relates to listening and reassurance phrases in Japanese.

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.

聞いていますよ。

Kiite imasu yo.

I'm listening.

Meaning: I'm listening.

When to use: Use this when someone starts to open up and you want to reassure them you are paying attention and giving them space to speak.

Tip: Don't overuse 'よ' in very formal settings; in casual talk it sounds warm, but in formal business use a more neutral '聞いています。'

何でも話して。ちゃんと聞いていますよ。

Nandemo hanashite. Chanto kiite imasu yo.

Talk about anything. I'm really listening.
今は忙しくないよ。聞いていますよ。

Ima wa isogashikunai yo. Kiite imasu yo.

I'm not busy now. I'm listening.

少しでも楽にできたらいいんですが。

Sukoshi demo raku ni dekitara ii n desu ga.

I wish I could make it easier.

Meaning: I wish I could make it easier.

When to use: Say this when you want to express sympathetic regret that you cannot fully fix someone's problem; it shows you care without promising results.

遠くにいるから直接助けられないのが残念です。少しでも楽にできたらいいんですが。

Tōku ni iru kara chokusetsu tasukerarenai no ga zannen desu. Sukoshi demo raku ni dekitara ii n desu ga.

I'm sorry I can't help in person. I wish I could make it at least a little easier.
医者ではないから治せないけど、少しでも楽にできたらいいんですが。

Isha de wa nai kara naosenai kedo, sukoshi demo raku ni dekitara ii n desu ga.

I'm not a doctor so I can't cure it, but I wish I could make things easier.

あなたのせいじゃないです。

Anata no sei ja nai desu.

It's not your fault.

Meaning: It's not your fault.

When to use: Use this to comfort someone who is blaming themselves; it reassures them politely and directly.

Tip: Avoid repeatedly saying 'あなた' to the person — in close relationships Japanese speakers often drop it. Using it once for clarity is fine.

泣かないで。あなたのせいじゃないです。

Nakanaide. Anata no sei ja nai desu.

Don't cry. It's not your fault.
計画がうまくいかなかったのは誰のせいでもない。あなたのせいじゃないです。

Keikaku ga umaku ikanakatta no wa dare no sei demo nai. Anata no sei ja nai desu.

No one's to blame for the plan failing. It's not your fault.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna comforts David after he tells her about mistakes at work.

A close-up of one person reassuring another with calm body language while using polite Japanese empathy phrases.

What reassurance does Anna give David?

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

最近、仕事でミスが続いて、落ち込んでいるんだ。

Saikin, shigoto de misu ga tsuzuite, ochikonde iru n da.

Lately I've been making mistakes at work and I'm feeling down.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

話してくれてありがとう。聞いていますよ。

Hanashite kurete arigatō. Kiite imasu yo.

Thanks for telling me. I'm listening.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

でも、全部僕のせいなのかもしれない。

Demo, zenbu boku no sei na no kamoshirenai.

But maybe it's all my fault.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

あなたのせいじゃないです。状況がいくつか重なっただけ。

Anata no sei ja nai desu. Jōkyō ga ikutsu ka kasanatta dake.

It's not your fault. Several things just came together.

Portrait of David in a Japanese lesson dialogue

David

でも、申し訳ない気持ちが消えないんだ。

Demo, mōshiwake nai kimochi ga kienai n da.

Still, I can't shake this guilt.

Portrait of Anna in a Japanese lesson dialogue

Anna

少しでも楽にできたらいいんですが。何か手伝えることがあれば言って。

Sukoshi demo raku ni dekitara ii n desu ga. Nani ka tetsudaeru koto ga areba itte.

I wish I could make it easier. If there's anything I can do to help, tell me.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which Japanese sentence means 'I'm listening'?

Which phrase best reassures someone that they are not to blame?

Which Japanese sentence expresses polite regret and a wish you could help?

Which option is the most natural response when someone says '全部僕のせいだ' (It's all my fault)?

When a friend starts to talk, you kindly say: 'I'm listening. Speak freely.'

友だちが相談を始めたとき、あなたは優しく言う：____　安心して話して。

To someone blaming themselves for a mistake, you say: 'It's not your fault. Don't worry.'

失敗して自分を責めている人に、あなたは言葉をかける：___　気にしないで。

Seeing someone struggling, you offer: 'I wish I could make it easier. If there's anything I can help with at home, tell me.'

相手が大変そうなので、あなたは申し出る：___　家のことで助けることがあれば言って。

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:

聞いていますよ。

Kiite imasu yo.

I'm listening.

Say this phrase out loud:

少しでも楽にできたらいいんですが。

Sukoshi demo raku ni dekitara ii n desu ga.

I wish I could make it easier.

Say this phrase out loud:

あなたのせいじゃないです。

Anata no sei ja nai desu.

It's not your fault.