Back-channeling in Japanese
Back-channeling is a way of showing a speaker that you are following what they are saying and understand. So in English, we'd say things like, "Yes", "Uh huh", "Right", "Okay", etc.
Using back-channeling expressions in your new language is one of the easiest things you can do to make yourself appear like a native!
So let's learn some handy expressions in Japanese:
はいHai - Yes/Uh-huh/Okay/Right
ええ Ee - Yes/Uh-huh/Okay/Right
うん Un - Yes/Uh-huh/Okay/Right
へぇHee - Oh yeah?
分かりました Wakarimashita - Got it.
そうですか Soo desu ka - I see./Is that so.
なるほど Naruhodo - I see. (used when what the speaker said was convincing)
ほんとうですか?! Hontoo desu ka?! - Is that right?!
えっ?! E?! (<-- very strong, short sound) - What?!
If there are any other particular kinds of back-channeling expressions that you'd like to say in Japanese, let me know!
And here are some useful expressions to use when you're trying to say something but can't quite come up with what to say:
そうですねぇ・・・Soo desu nee.... - Let me see.../ Well...
んー Hmm - Well...
えっとー・・・ Ettoo.... - Um....
あの・・・ Ano... - Um....
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