New Ways of Speaking Japanese
Feel like you’re in a rut? Tired of always using those same old bland declarative statements of “watashi wa ～ desu” or questions like “o-genki desu ka?” Adding in some conversational filler words is a great way to improve your Japanese and make it sound more natural. Including these words will let you add to the conversation, change topics, or cut to the chase just like the natives. Let’s get started:
Changing Topics:
ところで tokoro de – by the way…
話は違うが hanashi wa chigau ga… –
On a separate note.., to change the topic..
Adding to the Conversation:
そういえば sou ieba – Speaking of which…, that reminds me…
実は jitsu wa – Actually…
Getting to the Point:
正直に言うと shojiki ni iu to – to be frank…, to just say it straight out….
さっそくですが sassoku desu ga – to cut to the chase…, to get right down to it…
*Note: the filler phrases here always come before the statement you want to make.
Let’s look at some examples:
話は違うが昨日のデートはどうでしたか。
hanashi wa chigau ga kinou no de-to wa dou deshita ka?
On a separate note, how was your date yesterday?
早速ですが仕事の話に入りましょう。
sassoku desu ga shigoto no hanashi ni hairimashou.
To cut to the chase, let’s talk about business.
ところで、ドレスどうかしら？
tokorode, doresu dou kashira?
By the way, how’s the dress?
そういえば、牛乳が切れてたな。
gyunyu ga kirete ta na.
That reminds me, I’m out of milk.
実は、頼みがある。
jitsu wa, tanomi ga aru.
Actually, I have a favor to ask.
正直に言うと、彼女がいなくなってせいせいした。
shojiki ni iu to, kanojyo ga inakunatte seisei shita.
To be frank, I’m relieved that she left.
Add these into your Japanese conversation and you’ll be speaking like a Nihonjin in no-time! Want to take the next step? Sign up for some lessons at Hills Learning to learn how to chit chat with the best of them. Leave a comment to let us know what you think.