How to Say 'I Completely Agree' or 'I Suppose So' in Japanese
Learn to express strong agreement with 'Kanzen ni sansei desu' and weak agreement with 'Sō desu ne' in Japanese. Understand the difference in degree.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Japanese, the way you agree can show how strongly you feel. This lesson teaches you two common levels: strong agreement, like 'I completely agree,' and weak agreement, like 'I suppose so.' You'll learn set phrases and when to use them. By adjusting your agreement, you can sound more natural and polite in conversations.
By the end, you can…
- express strong agreement in Japanese.
- express weak or tentative agreement in Japanese.
- choose the right phrase based on how strongly I agree.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
完全に同意です。
I completely agree.
Kanzen ni sansei desu.
Strong agreement; formal and clear. Use in business or serious discussions.
その通りです。
That's exactly right.
Sono tōri desu.
Strong agreement; polite and common. Shows you think the other person is correct.
そうですね。
I suppose so. / That's true.
Sō desu ne.
Weak agreement; often used to acknowledge without full commitment. Can also mean 'I see.'
まあ、そうですね。
Well, I suppose so.
Mā, sō desu ne.
Weak agreement with hesitation; 'mā' softens the statement.
確かに。
Indeed. / Certainly.
Tashika ni.
Strong agreement; casual but polite. Often used in conversation to show you concur.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To express strong agreement, you can use 'kanzen ni sansei desu' (I completely agree) or 'sono tōri desu' (that's exactly right). For weak agreement, 'sō desu ne' works well; adding 'mā' makes it even softer: 'mā, sō desu ne.' You can also use 'tashika ni' to mean 'indeed' when you agree with a point. These phrases are fixed expressions, so you don't need to change them for different subjects.
When to use it
Use strong agreement when you fully support an idea, especially in formal situations like meetings. For example, if your boss suggests a good plan, you can say 'kanzen ni sansei desu.' Use weak agreement when you partially agree or want to be noncommittal. For instance, if a friend suggests a restaurant you're not excited about, 'sō desu ne' is appropriate. In casual conversation, 'tashika ni' is a natural way to agree without being too forceful.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
この計画はいいと思います。
I think this plan is good.Kono keikaku wa ii to omoimasu.完全に同意です。
I completely agree.Kanzen ni sansei desu.じゃあ、このレストランはどう？
How about this restaurant?Jā, kono resutoran wa dō?まあ、そうですね。
Well, I suppose so.Mā, sō desu ne.A little context goes a long way
In Japanese communication, expressing weak agreement is often a way to be polite and avoid direct confrontation. 'Sō desu ne' can signal that you're listening and considering the other person's view, even if you don't fully agree. Strong agreement phrases like 'kanzen ni dōi desu' are more assertive and are typically used when you genuinely support the idea. Be mindful of the context: in formal settings, use polite forms; with friends, casual forms like 'tashika ni' are fine.
One thing to watch for
Using 'sō desu ne' to mean strong agreement.
Try this instead: 'Sō desu ne' is weak agreement or acknowledgment. For strong agreement, say 'kanzen ni sansei desu' or 'sono tōri desu.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I completely agree' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
完全に賛成です。 (Kanzen ni sansei desu.)
This phrase directly means 'I completely agree.' It is formal and strong. Other strong phrases like 'sono tōri desu' also work, but this is the most literal.
2What does 'まあ、そうですね' mean?
Show a sample answer
Well, I suppose so.
The 'mā' adds hesitation, making the agreement weaker. Without 'mā,' 'sō desu ne' can still be weak, but 'mā' makes it more tentative.
3Which phrase would you use to weakly agree with a friend's suggestion?
Show a sample answer
そうですね。 (Sō desu ne.)
This is a common weak agreement. It acknowledges the suggestion without full commitment. 'Mā, sō desu ne' is also correct and even softer.
Use 'kanzen ni sansei desu' or 'sono tōri desu' for strong agreement, and 'sō desu ne' or 'mā, sō desu ne' for weak agreement. Choose based on how strongly you agree and the formality of the situation.
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