When a Japanese speaker says something you do not fully understand, you can keep the conversation going by asking for clarification. In this workshop you will hear short recorded lines, learn what each one means in English, and then practise saying them in realistic situations. You will also practise listening to a short exchange and choosing the reply that fits. The recordings give you clear models, so you can repeat them aloud and compare your rhythm and politeness. You do not need to invent new Japanese; every native line you practise comes from the recordings.
Asking what someone means
The simplest way to check meaning is to ask directly. «どういう意味ですか。» means "What do you mean by that?" and «それはどういう意味ですか。» means "What does that mean?" Both are useful when you hear an unfamiliar word or a vague comment. If you need more detail, «もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。» means "Could you explain a little more specifically?" and «つまり、どういうことですか。» means "So, what exactly do you mean?" These four lines let you slow the conversation down without stopping it. Practise each line aloud several times. Keep your voice calm and your intonation gentle, because you are asking for help, not challenging the other person. In a real exchange, you can say one of these lines right after the part you did not understand.
Hearing a short exchange
Now listen to a short scene. Speaker A says «明日の会議はちょっと難しいかもしれません。», which means "Tomorrow's meeting might be a little difficult." Speaker B does not understand the reason, so B asks «どういう意味ですか。», which means "What do you mean by that?" Speaker A explains with «参加者が多いので、時間が足りないという意味です。», which means "I mean that there are many participants, so there is not enough time." Speaker B now understands and says «なるほど、よくわかりました。», which means "I see, now I understand well." Notice the order: A makes a comment, B asks for clarification, A explains, and B confirms understanding. When you practise, keep this order. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check yourself against the meanings above.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
どういう意味ですか。
What do you mean by that?
dō iu imi desu ka
それはどういう意味ですか。
What does that mean?
sore wa dō iu imi desu ka
もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。
Could you explain a little more specifically?
mō sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite moraemasu ka
つまり、どういうことですか。
So, what exactly do you mean?
tsumari, dō iu koto desu ka
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
明日の会議はちょっと難しいかもしれません。
Tomorrow's meeting might be a little difficult.どういう意味ですか。
What do you mean by that?参加者が多いので、時間が足りないという意味です。
I mean that there are many participants, so there may not be enough time.なるほど、よくわかりました。
I see, now I understand well.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided clarification exchange
You are talking with a colleague about a plan. Your colleague says something you do not understand, and you want to ask what they mean. Use the recorded lines as your model.
Your task: Read the role of the person who does not understand. Your partner reads the role of the person who explains. First, your partner says «明日の会議はちょっと難しいかもしれません。». You reply with «どういう意味ですか。». Your partner then says «参加者が多いので、時間が足りないという意味です。». You finish with «なるほど、よくわかりました。». After one round, swap roles and repeat in the same order.
Choose the reply that fits
You hear someone make a vague comment and you need to ask for clarification. Two possible replies are shown, but only one fits the situation.
Your task: Your partner says «明日の会議はちょっと難しいかもしれません。». Which reply fits better: «どういう意味ですか。» or «なるほど、よくわかりました。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full exchange with your partner: «明日の会議はちょっと難しいかもしれません。», then your chosen reply, then «参加者が多いので、時間が足りないという意味です。», then «なるほど、よくわかりました。».
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Now try to remember the short exchange from the recordings. One person makes a comment, the other asks for clarification, the first explains, and the second confirms understanding.
Your task: With a partner, rebuild the exchange from memory. Decide who is A and who is B. A says the comment, B asks what A means, A explains, and B confirms understanding. Use the recorded lines. Then swap roles and do it again in the same order.
Common questions
Can I use these lines when I only catch one word?
Yes. «どういう意味ですか。» and «それはどういう意味ですか。» are short and direct, so they work well when you miss a word or a phrase. If you need more detail, use «もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。» or «つまり、どういうことですか。». Start with the shorter lines and move to the longer ones when you need a fuller explanation.
What should I say after the other person explains?
Use «なるほど、よくわかりました。», which means "I see, now I understand well." It shows that the explanation was helpful and keeps the conversation moving. If you still do not understand, you can ask again with «もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。» or «つまり、どういうことですか。» instead of pretending you understood.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: asking for clarificationChecked September 2026
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