How to Ask for Elaboration in Japanese: Go Beyond 'What?'
Learn intermediate Japanese phrases to ask for more explanation, such as 'Could you elaborate on that?' Focus on deepening understanding without simply repeating.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you're in a Japanese conversation and someone says something you don't fully grasp, simply asking 'What?' or 'Could you repeat that?' may not be enough. You need to ask for elaboration—to have the speaker expand, clarify, or give more detail. This lesson teaches you natural, polite Japanese phrases to do exactly that. You'll learn expressions like もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか (mō sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite itadakemasu ka) and others that invite deeper explanation. These are essential for intermediate learners who want to move beyond basic comprehension and engage in meaningful dialogue.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to elaborate on a point in Japanese.
- request more details or examples without repeating the same question.
- use appropriate politeness levels when seeking clarification.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか。
Could you elaborate on that a little more?
Mō sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite itadakemasu ka.
Polite and formal. Use with superiors, strangers, or in business settings. いただけますか is a humble request form.
具体的にどういうことですか。
What do you mean specifically?
Gutaiteki ni dō iu koto desu ka.
Asks for concrete details. Suitable for casual to polite conversation. 具体的に means 'concretely' or 'specifically'.
もう少し噛み砕いて説明してもらえますか。
Could you break it down a bit more for me?
Mō sukoshi kamikudaite setsumei shite moraemasu ka.
噛み砕く literally means 'to chew and break down'; used when you need a simpler explanation. Polite but not overly formal.
例えばどういう場合ですか。
For example, what kind of situation?
Tatoeba dō iu baai desu ka.
Asks for an example to clarify. 例えば (for example) invites the speaker to illustrate.
つまり、どういうことでしょうか。
So, what does that mean exactly?
Tsumari, dō iu koto deshō ka.
Summarizes and asks for confirmation. つまり means 'in other words'. でしょうか adds politeness.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A versatile pattern for asking for elaboration is: もう少し + [adjective/adverb] + 説明していただけますか. For example, もう少し簡単に説明していただけますか (Mō sukoshi kantan ni setsumei shite itadakemasu ka) means 'Could you explain a little more simply?' You can replace 簡単に with 詳しく (in detail), 具体的に (concretely), or ゆっくり (slowly). This pattern works in polite contexts. For casual settings, use 説明してくれる？ (setsumei shite kureru?) or 説明してもらえる？ (setsumei shite moraeru?).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you understand the general topic but need more depth. For instance, if a colleague says プロジェクトは難しいです (purojekuto wa muzukashii desu - 'The project is difficult'), you might ask 具体的にどの辺が難しいですか (gutaiteki ni dono hen ga muzukashii desu ka - 'Specifically, what part is difficult?'). Avoid using them when you simply didn't hear; for that, use もう一度お願いします (mō ichido onegaishimasu - 'Once more, please'). Elaboration requests are for when you heard but need clarification.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
この計画はリスクが高いと思います。
I think this plan is high-risk.Kono keikaku wa risuku ga takai to omoimasu.具体的にどういうリスクですか。
What kind of risk specifically?Gutaiteki ni dō iu risuku desu ka.例えば、予算が足りなくなる可能性があります。
For example, there's a possibility we'll run out of budget.Tatoeba, yosan ga tarinaku naru kanōsei ga arimasu.なるほど。もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか。
I see. Could you elaborate a little more?Naruhodo. Mō sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite itadakemasu ka.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese communication, directly saying 'I don't understand' can feel abrupt. Using softer phrases like もう少し詳しく (mō sukoshi kuwashiku) or 噛み砕いて (kamikudaite) shows you're making an effort to understand, which is appreciated. Politeness level matters: in business, stick to いただけますか; with friends, くれる？ is fine. Also, nodding and saying はい (hai) while listening encourages the speaker to continue.
One thing to watch for
Using もう一度言ってください (mō ichido itte kudasai) when you actually need elaboration, not repetition.
Try this instead: もう一度言ってください means 'Please say it again' and is for when you didn't hear. For elaboration, use もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか (mō sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite itadakemasu ka).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a supervisor to explain a point in more detail?
Show a sample answer
もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか。
This uses the humble いただけますか, appropriate for superiors. Alternatives like ご説明いただけますか (go-setsumei itadakemasu ka) are also correct.
2What phrase asks for a specific example?
Show a sample answer
例えばどういう場合ですか。
This directly asks for an example. You could also say 例えばどんなことですか (tatoeba donna koto desu ka).
3How do you ask for a simpler explanation in a casual setting?
Show a sample answer
もっと簡単に説明してくれる？
This uses casual くれる？. In polite settings, use もっと簡単に説明していただけますか。
To deepen understanding in Japanese, ask for elaboration with phrases like もう少し詳しく説明していただけますか. Match politeness to the situation and avoid confusing elaboration with repetition.
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