Uki Uki Japanese Lesson 7 - Response Words 1

Welcome to Uki Uki NihonGO + Culture!

In today's lesson we will go over examples of あいづち (aizuchi) and learn how to use them in a conversation. Memorizing these tips and understanding when to use あいづち (aizuchi) can help to make you a master conversationalist!

Showing the other person that you are actively listening to them is very important in any conversation to make the dialogue go smoothly. In English, we do this regularly with responses like "uh huh" or "I see", or by nodding our head "yes".

Aizuchi あいづち is the Japanese term for the common interjections that are used to let your listener know that you are paying attention and/or understanding what is being said.

In Japanese, it is always important to distinguish between polite and casual levels. When using aizuchi, you must also think about how to respond in the appropriate manner. For example, なるほど ("I see") can be used for either casual or polite levels of conversation. However, if you are talking to your teacher 本当ですか　"Is that true?" "Really?" should be used. With friends or family, this can be shortened to a more casual 本当？

Common あいづち (aizuchi) include:
なるほど - I see
本当ですか? - Is that true? Really? (polite)
本当？ - Really? (casual)

Stay tuned for more aizuchi あいづち in upcoming lessons!

We would like to hear from you! Please feel free to ask questions and comment on what you'd like to learn. We'll be creating Q+A lessons in the future!

Thanks for watching! See you next time! では、また今度！Dewa, mata kondo!

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Music by: Soichiro Migita

[alm]

Hope I dont offend anybody, but as a black person learning Japanese..this is actually the first time I have ever seen a black person in ANY japanese learning video and it makes so happy. Its hard for other people to understand, but sometimes you can feel lonely in a sense when you never see anyone that looks like you in these videos( or anime, etc..). Also the fact she is very good at japanese give me hope, just a normal nice girl, it really really means a lot to me. Even though she was not selected simply because she is black(she obviously has to be good at Japanese), thank you so much for putting her in the videos. Domo Arigatou gozaimus. Again, sorry if I offended anyone by mentioning this.

[Raven]

Wow, I'm so happy to see a black person! ^_^

[akaisensei]

Everyone !  I'll be happy if you would make many comments and questions !

[JoachimderZweite]

This was great and thanks for the furigana. Please keep it coming and pack it in so we can learn more. 

[kazuekurahara]

Hope you enjoyed this video. You can find ALL of our Uki Uki episodes here! (^^)

[Thousandtrees]

LOL THIS IS SO CUTE i love your conversations haha

[Hermelientjeee]

Sensei arigato gozaimashita! 
Your video's really work. I'm a beginner with the Japanese language and this really helps me to improve my skills for it. ^_^

[jaimebenito]

I liked the video: cute and informative (even though I knew all of it, except the very word 相槌). However, if you don't mind my criticism, you should include more expressions in one video. If a person (with a perfect memory) wanted to learn Japanese by watching one video like this every day, it would probably take him/her many years just to get to a level where you can just get your message across. In order to become reasonably conversant, one needs to learn several dozen words and constructions per day on average if you want to achieve this goal within a year or so (probably somewhere between 25 - 100, I guess). Push learners a bit harder, or they'll get too complacent and will get the illusion that they are eventually going to learn the language without making any effort whatsoever. Learning languages should be fun, but we are talking about very complex, dense and demanding communication systems, so limiting their exposure is not very helpful for those who really want to learn it. Still, it is better than nothing, but more would be much better.

[TheNets]

That's fuck awesome all these lessons! xD
Thank you so much!

[SuperSniperbunny]

These are helpful and fun to use.    Please include "ee", , ,    for super casual.  ^_^

[princeesdayan]

what is the different of naruhodo and so desuka?

[elohelreh]

What about the word aizuchi?  Are you able to explain what kanji are used and their individual meanings?  I think that may help with the concept, in case it is not clear for some.

[Freerider]

what about "本当に"? especially with the に. Is this also an aizuchi? I'm heard this phrase and thought that this would translate to "really?" 

[marvindee]

Lady in black looks like Malaya Watson from American Idol,

[chairmanelock]

Sensei, how about ほんとうに ? Is it casual or polite or respectful and it is used in what situation?

[duybui]

Great video but can you make it more longer? :(
By the way, i have one question. What's the diffrence between " Sou desu ka" and " Sou nan desu ka"?

[cindyperez]

すごいねえ、アカイせんせい！These are very great aizuchi to use. I have a question though, can we also use そうですか？as an aizuchi? own sensei has tried to teach us about aizushi and I was just wondering if this was correct to use. 
どもあっりがとうございます、アカイせんせい！
ーシンディ

[nora]

what is the difference between hontou and hontouni ???

[ANIMEX]

How about saying " あ～そう。。" would that be also aizuchi?

[samakinta]

I know this question won't be relate. But I really want to be an intern in Japan Society. Now I am living in London. Do you have any internship programme here? Thanks a lot!