Giving Opinions in Japanese Formal Meetings: Saying 'In My View' Politely
Learn elementary Japanese phrases for stating opinions in formal business meetings, including watashi no iken de wa and ~to omoimasu, with polite register and meeting-appropriate examples.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Japanese business meetings, stating an opinion is not just about vocabulary; it is about choosing a level of politeness that fits the room. This lesson teaches elementary learners how to say 'In my view...' and related phrases in formal professional settings. You will learn set expressions such as watashi no iken de wa and ~to omoimasu, how to soften a disagreement, and how to ask for others' views. We focus only on formal meeting language, not casual chat with friends. By the end, you will be able to contribute one clear opinion and respond politely to a colleague in a Japanese business meeting.
By the end, you can…
- state my opinion in a formal Japanese meeting using watashi no iken de wa and ~to omoimasu.
- politely disagree or add a condition using kangaemasu or ~kamoshiremasen.
- ask for a colleague's opinion in a formal meeting using ikaga desu ka.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
私の意見では、〜と思います。
In my view, I think that...
watashi no iken de wa, ... to omoimasu
Standard formal opener for giving your view in a meeting. Use before a full clause; the final verb omoimasu keeps it polite but not too forceful.
〜について、どうお考えですか。
What do you think about...?
... ni tsuite, dou okangae desu ka
Polite way to invite a colleague's opinion. Okangae is the respectful form of 'thought/opinion'; use it with superiors or clients. Note that dou okangae desu ka is a shortened, slightly less formal variant; the fuller polite form is dou okangae deshou ka.
私は〜と考えます。
I consider that...
watashi wa ... to kangaemasu
Slightly more formal than omoimasu. Good for written-style meeting statements or when you want to sound measured and objective.
おっしゃることは分かりますが、〜かもしれません。
I understand what you are saying, but it might be...
ossharu koto wa wakarimasu ga, ... kamoshiremasen
Soft disagreement. Acknowledge the other person first, then add a cautious alternative with kamoshiremasen.
この点について、いかがでしょうか。
Regarding this point, what are your thoughts?
kono ten ni tsuite, ikaga deshou ka
Very polite invitation for discussion. Ikaga deshou ka is a formal alternative to dou desu ka and suits chairs or senior speakers. Deshou here is not a guess but a polite softening; in very formal writing, ikaga deshou ka may appear as ikaga deshou ka or ikaga de irasshaimasu ka.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [topic] + について、私の意見では、〜と思います。 For example, 新しい計画について、私の意見では、少し早いと思います (atarashii keikaku ni tsuite, watashi no iken de wa, sukoshi hayai to omoimasu) means 'Regarding the new plan, in my view, I think it is a little early.' You can also drop watashi no iken de wa and simply say 〜と思います, but the full phrase signals that a personal opinion is coming. Keep the final verb in the polite masu form: omoimasu, kangaemasu, or kamoshiremasen. Note that 〜と思います takes a plain-form clause before it: 少し早いと思います, not 少し早いですと思います.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are speaking to a group in a meeting, especially with people above you or with clients. Watashi no iken de wa is appropriate when you want to mark your view clearly. If you are disagreeing, start with おっしゃることは分かりますが (ossharu koto wa wakarimasu ga) to show respect, then add your point. Avoid blunt forms like 〜は違います (chigaimasu) alone, which can sound harsh in a formal meeting. For asking others, use どうお考えですか or いかがでしょうか rather than casual どう思う？. Also note that おっしゃる is the honorific form of 言う; when referring to your own speech, use 申す or 言う, not おっしゃる.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
新しい企画について、私の意見では、少し予算が足りないと思います。
Regarding the new project, in my view, I think the budget is a little insufficient.atarashii kikaku ni tsuite, watashi no iken de wa, sukoshi yosan ga tarinai to omoimasuおっしゃることは分かりますが、来月までに調整できるかもしれません。
I understand what you are saying, but we might be able to adjust it by next month.ossharu koto wa wakarimasu ga, raigetsu made ni chousei dekiru kamoshiremasenなるほど。では、この点について、いかがでしょうか。
I see. Then, regarding this point, what are your thoughts?naruhodo. de wa, kono ten ni tsuite, ikaga deshou ka私も同じ意見です。まず予算を確認しましょう。
I share the same opinion. Let us first check the budget.watashi mo onaji iken desu. mazu yosan wo kakunin shimashouA little context goes a long way
In Japanese formal meetings, opinions are often framed as suggestions rather than direct claims. Using watashi no iken de wa and ~to omoimasu softens your statement and leaves room for group harmony. Silence before speaking is also normal; it shows you are considering others' positions. With clients or senior colleagues, prefer okangae and ikaga deshou ka over casual question forms. Note that honorific and humble forms (keigo) are expected when addressing superiors or clients, while plain polite forms (teineigo) are usually enough among peers.
One thing to watch for
Saying 私は反対です (watashi wa hantai desu) directly to reject an idea.
Try this instead: In a formal meeting, direct rejection can sound abrupt. First acknowledge the other person, then give a cautious view: おっしゃることは分かりますが、私は少し難しいと考えます (ossharu koto wa wakarimasu ga, watashi wa sukoshi muzukashii to kangaemasu), meaning 'I understand what you are saying, but I consider it a little difficult.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'In my view, I think this plan is good' in a formal meeting?
Show a sample answer
私の意見では、この計画は良いと思います。
Watashi no iken de wa marks the opinion, and to omoimasu keeps the sentence polite. You could also say この計画は良いと考えます for a slightly more formal tone.
2Which phrase politely asks a senior colleague for their opinion?
Show a sample answer
この点について、いかがでしょうか。
Ikaga deshou ka is a respectful invitation for discussion. Dou omoimasu ka is grammatically fine but less formal for a senior colleague. Note that どうお考えですか is also acceptable and slightly more direct than いかがでしょうか.
3How can you soften a disagreement after someone speaks?
Show a sample answer
おっしゃることは分かりますが、〜かもしれません。
This acknowledges the other person first, then adds a cautious alternative with kamoshiremasen. You may also use 〜と考えます if you want to sound more decisive but still polite.
In formal Japanese meetings, open with watashi no iken de wa or ~to omoimasu, acknowledge others before disagreeing, and use ikaga deshou ka to invite opinions. Keep verbs in the polite masu form and avoid casual question forms. Remember that 〜と思います and 〜と考えます take a plain-form clause before them.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr