Giving feedback on someone's work can feel tricky, especially in a new language. In Japanese, the way you phrase a suggestion matters a lot. This workshop helps you practice polite, indirect ways to suggest improvements. You will listen to native examples and try three practice tasks: a guided exchange, a reply comprehension choice, and a recall task where you play both roles. The goal is to focus on the work, not the person, and to use softeners that make your comment gentler.
Why Softeners Matter
In Japanese, direct criticism can sound harsh. Softeners like kamoshirenai (maybe) and chotto (a little) make your suggestion gentler. For example, «もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。» means 'Maybe it would be better to write in a little more detail.' The phrase kamoshirenai adds uncertainty, so it sounds like a suggestion, not an order. Another useful pattern is «細かいところをもう少し足したらどうですか。», which means 'How about adding a few more details?' The ending ~tara dou desu ka is a gentle way to suggest something. When you give feedback, try to focus on the work itself. «ここに例を足すと、もっと分かりやすくなると思います。» shows this: 'I think adding an example here would make it easier to understand.' The phrase to omoimasu (I think) softens your opinion. Also, «もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。» is a request for more information: 'Could you explain in a little more detail?' This is useful when you need clarity before giving feedback.
A Sample Exchange
Let's look at a short dialogue between two coworkers. A says «田中さん、レポートを読みました。内容はとてもいいですね。», which means 'Tanaka-san, I read your report. The content is very good.' This starts with a positive comment. B replies with «ありがとうございます。何か改善点はありますか。»: 'Thank you. Are there any points for improvement?' Then A gives a gentle suggestion using «そうですね。もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。»: 'Well, maybe it would be better to write in a little more detail.' Notice how A uses sou desu ne (well) to soften the comment. B responds with «分かりました。具体的にはどこを詳しくすればいいですか。»: 'I see. Specifically, where should I add more detail?' This shows that the suggestion was received well. In this exchange, A focuses on the report, not on B's ability. The softeners make the feedback easier to accept.
Your Turn to Practice
Now you will practice these phrases. In the first exercise, you will follow a guided exchange. In the second, you will choose the best reply. In the third, you will recall the lines and play both roles. Remember to speak clearly and use a polite tone. Listen to the recordings and repeat after the recordings. Try to imitate their intonation. The goal is to become comfortable using these softeners in conversation. Don't worry about making mistakes; practice helps you improve.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。
Maybe it would be better to write in a little more detail.
Mou sukoshi kuwashiku kaita hou ga ii kamoshiremasen.
もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。
Could you explain in a little more detail?
Mou sukoshi kuwashiku setsumei shite moraemasu ka.
ここに例を足すと、もっと分かりやすくなると思います。
I think adding an example here would make it easier to understand.
Koko ni rei o tasu to, motto wakariyasuku naru to omoimasu.
細かいところをもう少し足したらどうですか。
How about adding a few more details?
Komakai tokoro o mou sukoshi tashitara dou desu ka.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
田中さん、レポートを読みました。内容はとてもいいですね。
Tanaka-san, I read your report. The content is very good.ありがとうございます。何か改善点はありますか。
Thank you. Are there any points for improvement?そうですね。もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。
Well, maybe it would be better to write in a little more detail.分かりました。具体的にはどこを詳しくすればいいですか。
I see. Specifically, where should I add more detail?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Giving Feedback
Imagine you are A, giving feedback to a coworker named Tanaka-san about a report. You have read the report and think the content is good, but you want to suggest adding more detail.
Your task: Listen to the recording «田中さん、レポートを読みました。内容はとてもいいですね。» and repeat it aloud. Then, imagine Tanaka-san asks for improvement points. Listen to «ありがとうございます。何か改善点はありますか。» and repeat it. Now, respond as A using the phrase from «そうですね。もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。». Finally, listen to «分かりました。具体的にはどこを詳しくすればいいですか。» and repeat it as B. Practice this exchange until you feel comfortable.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Best Response
You are B, and you have just received feedback from A. A said «そうですね。もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。»: 'Maybe it would be better to write in a little more detail.' Now you need to respond.
Your task: Which response both acknowledges the suggestion and asks specifically where to add detail? Option 1: «ありがとうございます。何か改善点はありますか。» (Thank you. Are there any points for improvement?). Option 2: «分かりました。具体的にはどこを詳しくすればいいですか。» (I see. Specifically, where should I add more detail?). Option 3: «もう少し詳しく説明してもらえますか。» (Could you explain in a little more detail?). Choose the response that does both jobs explicitly. Then say your chosen response aloud.
Recall and Role-Play: Both Sides
Now you will recall the dialogue and play both roles. Imagine you are first A, then B. Use the recordings to check your memory.
Your task: Without looking at the text, try to say A's lines from «田中さん、レポートを読みました。内容はとてもいいですね。» and «そうですね。もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。». Then say B's lines from «ありがとうございます。何か改善点はありますか。» and «分かりました。具体的にはどこを詳しくすればいいですか。». After you try, listen to the recordings to check. Then switch roles and do it again. Focus on using the correct softeners and polite forms.
Common questions
What does kamoshirenai mean and how does it soften feedback?
Kamoshirenai means 'maybe' or 'might be.' When you use it in a suggestion like «もう少し詳しく書いたほうがいいかもしれません。», it makes your comment sound less direct. Instead of saying 'You should write more detail,' you say 'It might be better to write more detail.' This gives the other person space to consider your suggestion without feeling pressured.
How can I make my feedback sound more polite?
You can use phrases like to omoimasu (I think) as in «ここに例を足すと、もっと分かりやすくなると思います。», or chotto (a little) to soften your request. Also, starting with a positive comment, as in «田中さん、レポートを読みました。内容はとてもいいですね。», helps. Using ~tara dou desu ka as in «細かいところをもう少し足したらどうですか。» is a gentle way to suggest. Remember to focus on the work, not the person.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: give feedback to peerChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Japanese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr