When someone shares a problem, a short empathetic response can help them feel heard. In this workshop you will practice two common supportive phrases and use them in a short exchange. You will hear each native line, learn what it means, and then try guided speaking, a reply choice, and a recall task. The recordings give you clear models, and the answer keys let you check your choices.
Two supportive phrases
Start with two short responses. «大変そうだね。» means that what the person said sounds really hard. «わかるよ。» means I understand or I get it. Both are useful when someone tells you about a difficult situation. Listen to the recordings and repeat them aloud. Keep your voice calm and not too loud. You can say «大変そうだね。» when you want to show sympathy, and «わかるよ。» when you want to show that you follow what the person is saying. These are short, so you can use them without preparing a long sentence.
A short exchange
Now listen to a short conversation. Speaker A says «最近、仕事が忙しくて、全然休めないんだ。», which means that lately work is so busy that they cannot rest at all. Speaker B replies with «それは大変だね。休みたいよね。», which means that it sounds really hard and notes that A wants to rest, right? Speaker A then says «うん、でも来週も大事な会議があって。», which means yes, but next week there is an important meeting too. Speaker B answers with «わかるよ。大変だよね。», which means I get it and that is tough. Notice how B uses a supportive phrase and then adds a short related follow-up. The order is: A shares, B responds, A adds more, B responds again.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
大変そうだね。
That sounds really hard.
taihen sō da ne
それは大変ですね。
That sounds really hard, isn't it?
sore wa taihen desu ne
わかるよ。
I understand. / I get it.
wakaru yo
お気持ちはわかります。
I understand how you feel.
okimochi wa wakarimasu
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
最近、仕事が忙しくて、全然休めないんだ。
Lately work is so busy that I can't rest at all.それは大変だね。休みたいよね。
That sounds really hard. You want to rest, right?うん、でも来週も大事な会議があって。
Yeah, but next week there's an important meeting too.わかるよ。大変だよね。
I get it. That's tough, isn't it?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided supportive exchange
You will play both roles with the audio. First, listen to the whole exchange once. Then read the lines aloud in order.
Your task: Play the recording for «最近、仕事が忙しくて、全然休めないんだ。» and repeat it as Speaker A. Then play «それは大変だね。休みたいよね。» and repeat it as Speaker B. Next play «うん、でも来週も大事な会議があって。» and repeat it as Speaker A. Finally play «わかるよ。大変だよね。» and repeat it as Speaker B. Do the full order once more without looking at the English.
Choose the matching reply
Read the situation and choose the best reply from the options. All options are lines you have practiced.
Your task: Situation: Speaker A says «最近、仕事が忙しくて、全然休めないんだ。», meaning that lately work is so busy that they cannot rest at all. Which reply fits best? Option 1: «それは大変だね。休みたいよね。». Option 2: «うん、でも来週も大事な会議があって。». Option 3: «わかるよ。大変だよね。». Say your choice aloud, then check the answer key.
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Cover the English meanings. You will rebuild the short exchange from memory using the recordings as a model.
Your task: First, say the line for Speaker A about busy work. Then say the line for Speaker B that shows sympathy and notes that A wants to rest, right? Next say the line for Speaker A about the important meeting. Finally say the line for Speaker B that means I get it and that is tough. After you try, play the recordings to check.
Common questions
Can I use «大変そうだね。» and «わかるよ。» in any order?
Yes, both are supportive. In the recorded exchange, Speaker B uses a sympathetic phrase and then a related follow-up. You can practice «大変そうだね。» and «わかるよ。» separately, but in the dialogue keep the recorded order so the exchange stays natural.
What if I cannot remember the exact line?
Play the recording again and repeat it. The goal is to match the recorded line, not to create a new sentence. After a few repeats, try the recall task again and check your order against the recordings.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: give emotional supportChecked September 2026
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