Polite to Colleague
Cultural · Communication
You
（うなずきながら）ええ、ええ。なるほど、そうですか。
（うなずきながら）ええ、ええ。なるほど、そうですか。
(nodding) Yes, yes. I see — is that so.
Romaji: (nodding) Ee, ee. Naruhodo, sou desu ka. / Reply Romaji: (continues speaking, feeling understood)
Reply
（話し続ける、理解されていると感じる）
（はなしつづける）
(The speaker continues, feeling heard and understood)
Gesture & etiquette
Nod in small, regular pulses — not a single big nod. Keep slight eye contact. Maintain an open, forward-leaning posture. The rhythm of your nods gives the speaker a sense of pacing and confirms they should continue.
These sounds — 'ee', 'naruhodo', 'sou desu ka' — are called aizuchi (back-channeling). They are not interruptions; they are essential signals that you are actively listening. Silence without aizuchi can feel rude or inattentive to Japanese speakers. Use them continuously and naturally during conversations.