These are just the Japanese dialogues and example sentences taken from podcast #43 “Receiving compliments in Japanese”.

This lesson focuses on how to receive compliments in Japanese. We’ll teach you some useful phrases you can use to respond to people who say nice things to you. We’ll also discuss Japanese attitudes towards compliments, why they make them and what they really mean. Spoiler alert, the cultural mindset in Japan might be quite different from your own, so be mindful of the differences!

But the best way to learn about compliments is in context so check out the dialogue and example sentences below.

Main dialogue (Japanese)

A: 日本語上手だね！

B: いやいや。まだまだだよ。

A: いやあ、日本人みたいに喋ってる！

B: そんなことないよ。勉強中だよ！

A: でもすごいよ！

B: 是非もっと教えてください。

Main dialogue (Pronunciation)

A: Nihongo jōzu da ne

B: Iyaiya. Mada mada da yo.

A: Iyaa, nihonjin mitai ni shabetteru.

B: Sonna koto nai yo. Benkyō chuu da yo.

A: Demo sugoi yo.

B: Zehi motto oshiete kudasai.

Main dialogue (English)

A: Your Japanese is great!

B: No, no. Not yet.

A: No, but you speak just like a Japanese person!

B: Not at all. I’m still studying.

A: But it’s amazing.

B: Please teach me by all means.

Example sentences

Example 1:

A: 料理が上手いね

B: いやいや

A: Ryōri ga umai ne

B: Iya iya

A: Your cooking is great

B: No, no.

Example 2:

A: お洒落だね

B: そうかな

A: Oshare da ne

B: Sō kana

A: You’re stylish

B: Is that really true?

Example 3

A: 料理が上手いね

B: 全然

A: Ryōri ga umai ne

B: Zenzen

A: Your cooking is great

B: Not at all

Example 4

A: あみ先生お洒落だね

B: とんでもないです

A: Ami Sensei, oshare da ne

B: Tondemonai desu

A: Ami Sensei, you are so stylish

B: No, not at all. (Don’t be silly now)

Example 5

A: 料理が上手い

B: そんなことないけど嬉しい

A: Ryōri ga umai ne

B: Sonna koto nai kedo ureshii

A: Your cooking is great

B: That’s not true but I’m happy to hear that.

Example 6

A: お洒落だね

B: おかげさまで

A: Oshare da ne

B: Okagesama de

A: You’re so stylish

B: Thanks to you!