Formal to Superior
Cultural · Communication
まだまだです。これからもっと精進しなければなりません。 — I still have a long way to go. I need to work much harder from here. (Cultural · Communication, Formal to Superior, JLPT N4)
You
まだまだです。これからもっと精進しなければなりません。
まだまだです。これからもっとしょうじんしなければなりません。
I still have a long way to go. I need to work much harder from here.
Romaji: Madamada desu. Korekara motto shojin shinakereba narimasen. / Reply Romaji: Iie, tottemo jouzu deshita yo.
Reply
いいえ、とっても上手でしたよ。
いいえ、とってもじょうずでしたよ。
No, no — you were really very good.
Gesture & etiquette
When saying this, lower your gaze slightly and bow your head. The physical modesty reinforces the verbal modesty. Do not smile too broadly — a gentle, calm expression fits the humility of the phrase.
Accepting compliments directly ('Yes, I did well') is considered boastful in Japan. The culturally expected response is modest deflection — 'madamada' (not yet, not good enough yet) signals humility. This applies even when you are genuinely skilled. The complimenter will likely insist, which is the intended exchange.