Showing interest
Backchannel reactions that show you're following and taking in what's said.
aa
ah, oh right
ああ
Marks realisation or recognition ('aa, sore ka'). Before naruhodo or sokka it shows the penny has dropped.
aa, ano mise ne.
Oh, that shop, right.
ああ、あの店ね。
aa, ano mise desu ne.
Ah, that shop, yes.
ああ、あの店ですね。
A bare aa meaning 'yeah' sounds masculine. aa 'like that' is a different word (Pointing, question & people words).
Learn alongside: hee, naruhodo, tashika ni
hee
huh, oh really
へえ
Shows interested surprise at something new; draw it out ('heee') for more surprise.
hee, sore wa shiranakatta.
Huh, I didn't know that.
へえ、それは知らなかった。
hee, sou na n desu ka. shirimasen deshita.
Oh, is that so? I didn't know that.
へえ、そうなんですか。知りませんでした。
On its own it can sound flippant to a superior; follow it with sou na n desu ka.
Learn alongside: aa, naruhodo, tashika ni
naruhodo
I see, makes sense
なるほど
Shows that an explanation has clicked and makes sense to you.
naruhodo, sou iu koto ka.
Ah, so that's what it is.
なるほど、そういうことか。
naruhodo, sou iu koto desu ka.
I see, so that's what it is.
なるほど、そういうことですか。
To a superior it can sound like you're judging them; sou na n desu ne is safer.
Learn alongside: aa, hee, tashika ni
tashika ni
true, good point
確かに たしかに
Concedes the other person's point, often before you add your own view ('tashika ni... demo').
tashika ni, chotto takai ne.
True, it is a bit pricey.
確かに、ちょっと高いね。
tashika ni, chotto takai desu ne.
That's true, it is a bit expensive.
確かに、ちょっと高いですね。
tashika on its own means 'if I remember right', which is a different use.