Universal
Cultural · Communication
なるほど、そうなんですね。 — I see, is that right. / That makes sense. (Cultural · Communication, Universal, JLPT N4)
You
なるほど、そうなんですね。
なるほど、そうなんですね。
I see, is that right. / That makes sense.
Romaji: Naruhodo, sō nan desu ne. / Reply Romaji: Sō nan desu yo. Hoka ni mo iro-iro atte.
Reply
そうなんですよ。他にも色々あって。
そうなんですよ。ほかにもいろいろあって。
That's right. There's actually more to it, too.
Gesture & etiquette
Nod slowly once or twice as you say this; maintain warm, attentive eye contact; lean slightly forward; the goal is to signal 'I hear you' without redirecting the conversation — let the speaker lead.
Aizuchi (相づち) — Japan's active listening backchannels — are obligatory conversation signals. Foreigners who don't use them may be perceived as uninterested or even rude. 'なるほど' and 'そうなんですね' are the most versatile. Space them naturally — every 2–3 sentences is appropriate. Combining with a nod and leaning forward reinforces the signal.