Agreeing in Japanese: Using 賛成です and そのとおりです
Learn elementary Japanese phrases to agree with someone's opinion, including 賛成です, そのとおりです, たしかに, and そうですね, with polite and casual usage.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When someone shares an opinion in Japanese, you often need to respond with agreement rather than give your own view. This lesson teaches set phrases such as 賛成です (I agree) and そのとおりです (That's exactly right). You will also learn softer responses like たしかに (that's true) and そうですね (that's so, isn't it). These expressions differ from stating an opinion because they react to what another person has already said. Pay attention to politeness level: です/ます forms work in most conversations with acquaintances, while shorter forms are common among close friends.
By the end, you can…
- agree with someone's opinion using 賛成です and そのとおりです.
- use softer agreement phrases such as たしかに and そうですね in short exchanges.
- choose a polite or casual agreement phrase based on the person I am speaking with.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
賛成です。
I agree.
sansei desu.
Polite, clear agreement with an opinion or proposal. Common in meetings and discussions.
そのとおりです。
That's exactly right. / That's true.
sono tōri desu.
Polite agreement that the other person's statement is correct. Stronger than a simple nod.
たしかに。
That's true. / Certainly.
tashika ni.
Soft agreement, often used when you accept a point but may still have a small reservation.
そうですね。
That's right. / I suppose so.
sō desu ne.
Friendly, polite agreement. The final ね invites shared understanding.
私もそう思います。
I think so too.
watashi mo sō omoimasu.
Polite way to say you share the same opinion. Useful when you want to sound involved.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A simple agreement response often uses a noun plus です: 賛成です (sansei desu, I agree). To make it more specific, say その意見に賛成です (sono iken ni sansei desu, I agree with that opinion). For 'that's true', use そのとおりです (sono tōri desu). In casual speech, 賛成 (sansei) alone can work between close friends, but です makes it safe in most situations.
When to use it
Use 賛成です when someone proposes an idea or states an opinion you support: 高いと思います。賛成です。 (takai to omoimasu. sansei desu. I think it's expensive. I agree.) Use そのとおりです when the other person has stated a fact or a point you find correct. Use たしかに when you agree but want to sound less absolute. Use そうですね when you want a gentle, friendly response. Match the ending to the situation: です/ます for coworkers, teachers, or new acquaintances; plain forms with close friends.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
この店はちょっと高いと思います。
I think this shop is a little expensive.kono mise wa chotto takai to omoimasu.賛成です。もう少し安い店を探しましょう。
I agree. Let's look for a cheaper shop.sansei desu. mō sukoshi yasui mise o sagashimashō.でも、この店の料理はおいしいですよ。
But the food at this shop is delicious, you know.demo, kono mise no ryōri wa oishii desu yo.たしかに。じゃあ、今日はここで食べましょう。
That's true. Then let's eat here today.tashika ni. jā, kyō wa koko de tabemashō.A little context goes a long way
Japanese agreement often includes a short back-channel like そうですね or たしかに before a fuller response. A direct 賛成です is fine in clear discussions, but in casual conversation, repeating or nodding with うん、そうだね (un, sō da ne) can sound more natural. Politeness depends on the relationship, not on whether you agree.
One thing to watch for
Using 賛成です to mean 'I agree' when someone says something like 今日は寒いですね (kyō wa samui desu ne, It's cold today, isn't it?).
Try this instead: 賛成です is for opinions, plans, or proposals, not for simple shared observations. For weather or feelings, reply そうですね (sō desu ne) or たしかに (tashika ni). Example: 今日は寒いですね。そうですね。 (kyō wa samui desu ne. sō desu ne.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Your coworker says この計画はいいと思います (kono keikaku wa ii to omoimasu, I think this plan is good). Give a polite agreement.
Show a sample answer
賛成です。
賛成です directly agrees with an opinion or plan and is polite. その計画に賛成です (sono keikaku ni sansei desu) is also correct and more specific.
2A friend says この映画は長いね (kono eiga wa nagai ne, This movie is long, isn't it?). Give a soft, friendly agreement.
Show a sample answer
そうだね。
そうだね matches casual friendly speech. たしかに is also fine, and そうですね works if you want to be a little more polite.
3Someone states a fact you find correct: 日本語は難しいです (nihongo wa muzukashii desu, Japanese is difficult). Which phrase means 'That's exactly right'?
Show a sample answer
そのとおりです。
そのとおりです means the other person's statement is exactly correct. たしかに is also possible, but it sounds slightly softer and less absolute.
Agree with opinions using 賛成です or そのとおりです; use たしかに and そうですね for softer, friendly agreement. Choose です/ます with acquaintances and shorter forms with close friends.
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