Debate and Opinion Exchange

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand and follow a spoken debate or opinion exchange in Japanese at the N3 level. You will learn key phrases for agreeing, disagreeing, giving reasons, and reacting to others' opinions.

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In Japanese debates and opinion exchanges, speakers use specific expressions to show their stance, connect ideas, and respond to others. Unlike casual conversation, debates require clear logical flow and polite disagreement. Mastering these patterns will help you follow discussions in news, meetings, or academic settings.

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1. Expressing Your Opinion (意見を言う - iken o iu)

Use these to start stating your view.

Example:

• 私はこの政策は効果的だと思います。
  Watashi wa kono seisaku wa koukateki da to omoimasu.
  (I think this policy is effective.)私政策効果的

2. Agreeing (賛成する - sansei suru)

Use these to show support for someone's point.

Example:

• A: 環境問題はすぐに行動すべきです。
  Kankyou mondai wa sugu ni koudou subeki desu.
  (We should act on environmental issues immediately.)環境問題行動
• B: 確かに、その通りです。
  Tashika ni, sono toori desu.
  (Indeed, that's right.)確通

3. Disagreeing Politely (反対する - hantai suru)

In Japanese debates, direct "no" is rare. Use softening phrases.

Example:

• 確かにそうですが、コストが高すぎると思います。
  Tashika ni sou desu ga, kosuto ga takasugiru to omoimasu.
  (Certainly that's true, but I think the cost is too high.)確高思

4. Asking for Clarification (確認する - kakunin suru)

When you need more information or want to check understanding.

Example:

• つまり、経済成長より環境保護を優先するということですか？
  Tsumari, keizai seichou yori kankyou hogo o yuusen suru to iu koto desu ka?
  (In other words, you mean we should prioritize environmental protection over economic growth?)経済成長環境

5. Giving Reasons (理由を述べる - riyuu o noberu)

Connect your opinion with logic.

Example:

• 私は賛成できません。なぜなら、予算が足りないからです。
  Watashi wa sansei dekimasen. Nazenara, yosan ga tarinai kara desu.
  (I cannot agree. Because the budget is insufficient.)私賛成予算足

6. Reacting to Others (反応する - hannou suru)

Show you are listening and engaged.

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Debate: Should students wear uniforms? (学生は制服を着るべきか？)学生制服着

A: 私は制服は必要だと思います。なぜなら、平等の感覚を育てるからです。
Watashi wa seifuku wa hitsuyou da to omoimasu. Nazenara, byoudou no kankaku o sodateru kara desu.
(I think uniforms are necessary. Because they foster a sense of equality.)私制服必要思

B: 確かにその点は認めます。しかし、個性を表現する機会が減るのではないでしょうか？
Tashika ni sono ten wa mitomemasu. Shikashi, kosei o hyougen suru kikai ga heru no dewa nai deshou ka?
(I admit that point. However, doesn't it reduce opportunities to express individuality?)確点認個性表

A: なるほど、良い点ですね。でも、自由な服装だと貧富の差が目立つ可能性があります。
Naruhodo, ii ten desu ne. Demo, jiyuu na fukusou da to hinpu no sa ga medatsu kanousei ga arimasu.
(I see, that's a good point. But with free clothing, differences in wealth might become noticeable.)良点自由服装

B: それは確かに難しい問題です。しかし、別の見方もあります。制服代も家計の負担になります。
Sore wa tashika ni muzukashii mondai desu. Shikashi, betsu no mikata mo arimasu. Seifuku-dai mo kakei no futan ni narimasu.
(That's certainly a difficult issue. However, there's another perspective. Uniform costs are also a burden on household budgets.)確難問題別見

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Mistake: Using でも (demo) too casually in formal debates.

• でも is fine for casual chat, but in debates use しかし (shikashi) or ですが (desu ga) for politeness.

Correct example:

• ❌ でも、それは違うと思います。(Demo, sore wa chigau to omoimasu.)違思
• ✅ しかし、それは違うと思います。(Shikashi, sore wa chigau to omoimasu.)違思

Mistake: Forgetting to soften disagreement.

• Direct "I disagree" (反対です - hantai desu) can sound harsh. Always add が (ga) or けれども (keredomo).反対

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Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase from the lesson.

1. A: この計画は時間がかかりすぎると思います。
   B: ＿＿＿＿＿＿、効率が悪いですね。
   (Answer: 確かに / Tashika ni)計画時間思効

   計画時間思効

2. A: もっと税金を上げるべきです。
   B: ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿、国民の負担が大きくなりすぎます。
   (Answer: 確かにそうですが / Tashika ni sou desu ga)税金上国民負

   税金上国民負

Translate to Japanese using debate phrases:

3. "In other words, you mean we should reduce working hours?"
   → ＿＿＿＿、労働時間を減らす＿＿＿＿＿＿ですか？
   (Answer: つまり / ということ)労働時間減

   労働時間減

4. "I cannot agree. Because the data is not reliable."
   → 私は＿＿＿＿できません。＿＿＿＿、データが信頼できない＿＿＿＿。
   (Answer: 賛成 / なぜなら / からです)私信頼賛成

   私信頼賛成

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Summary:

• Use 〜と思います for stating opinions.思
• Use 確かに / その通りです for agreeing.確通
• Use しかし / 確かにそうですが for polite disagreement.確
• Use なぜなら〜からです for giving reasons.
• Use なるほど / 良い点ですね for reacting.良点

Next Step:
Practice listening to Japanese news debates (e.g., NHK "討論" programs). Try to identify which phrases from this lesson the speakers use. Then, practice a mini debate with a partner on a simple topic like "Should homework be abolished?"討論