In this workshop you will practice short Japanese exchanges for checking on someone and replying about how you feel. You will hear and repeat recorded lines, choose suitable replies, and then recall the exchange with the roles switched. The focus is on speaking clearly and responding appropriately, not on explaining grammar.
Asking How Someone Is Doing
Start by listening to and repeating the question lines. «大丈夫？» means "Are you okay?" and is used when you want to check on someone. «元気？» means "Are you well?" or "How are you?" and works as a general check-in. «疲れた？» means "Are you tired?" and asks specifically about tiredness. «どうしたの？» means "What's wrong?" or "What happened?" and invites the other person to explain. Say each line aloud several times, keeping your voice gentle and your intonation rising at the end so it sounds like a question.
Answering and Following Up
Now practice the reply and follow-up lines. The check-in question «元気？» means "Are you well?" and is asked by one speaker. The reply «うん、でもちょっと疲れた。» means "Yeah, but I'm a bit tired." and answers that check-in while adding how the person feels. The follow-up «大変だね。大丈夫？» means "That sounds tough. Are you okay?" and shows sympathy before checking again. The final answer «うん、ありがとう。少し休むよ。» means "Yeah, thanks. I'll rest a little." and accepts the concern while saying what the person will do. Repeat each line, then practice saying a question and its reply one after the other without pausing.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
大丈夫？
Are you okay?
daijōbu?
元気？
Are you well? / How are you?
genki?
疲れた？
Are you tired?
tsukareta?
どうしたの？
What's wrong? / What happened?
dō shita no?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
元気？
Are you well?うん、でもちょっと疲れた。
Yeah, but I'm a bit tired.大変だね。大丈夫？
That sounds tough. Are you okay?うん、ありがとう。少し休むよ。
Yeah, thanks. I'll rest a little.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Check In and Reply
You will practice a short exchange with a partner or with the audio. One person asks a check-in question, and the other replies about feeling tired.
Your task: Speaker A says «元気？». Speaker B replies with «うん、でもちょっと疲れた。». Then Speaker A responds with «大変だね。大丈夫？», and Speaker B answers with «うん、ありがとう。少し休むよ。». Say each line aloud in order, then repeat the whole exchange once more.
Choose the Suitable Reply
You will hear or read a question and choose the reply that fits it. The reply should answer the question directly and naturally.
Your task: Question: «元気？». Which reply fits better: «うん、でもちょっと疲れた。» or «うん、ありがとう。少し休むよ。»? Say your chosen reply aloud, then say the other line aloud as a comparison.
Recall and Swap Roles
You will recall the exchange from memory and then switch roles. The order of the lines stays the same even when you change who speaks.
Your task: First, say the exchange from memory: «元気？», «うん、でもちょっと疲れた。», «大変だね。大丈夫？», «うん、ありがとう。少し休むよ。». Then swap roles so the other person says «元気？» and «大変だね。大丈夫？», while you say «うん、でもちょっと疲れた。» and «うん、ありがとう。少し休むよ。». Keep the same order.
Common questions
Do I need to understand every word in the recordings?
No. At this stage, focus on the overall meaning of each line and on saying it clearly. Use the English meanings given in the sections to guide your speaking, and repeat the recorded lines until they feel comfortable.
Can I practice alone without a partner?
Yes. You can play the recordings and say the other role yourself. Pause after each line, repeat it, and then say the next line. When you swap roles, keep the same order of question, reply, follow-up, and answer.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: asking about feelingsChecked September 2026
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