Polite to Colleague
Workplace · Meeting
少し確認させてください。先ほどのお話は、〇〇という意味でよろしかったでしょうか。 — Let me just confirm — the point you made earlier was that [X], is that right? (Workplace · Meeting, Polite to Colleague, JLPT N3)
You
少し確認させてください。先ほどのお話は、〇〇という意味でよろしかったでしょうか。
すこしかくにんさせてください。さきほどのおはなしは、〇〇というみでよろしかったでしょうか。
Let me just confirm — the point you made earlier was that [X], is that right?
Romaji: Sukoshi kakunin sasete kudasai. Sakihodo no ohanashi wa, OO to iu imi de yoroshikatta deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Hai, sono toori desu. / Iie, iu to wa OO no koto desu.
Reply
はい、その通りです。 / いいえ、言いたいのは〇〇のことです。
はい、そのとおりです。 / いいえ、いいたいのは〇〇のことです。
Yes, that is correct. / No, what I meant was [X].
Gesture & etiquette
Lean slightly forward with a thoughtful, attentive expression — not confused or troubled. Have your notepad ready to write down the clarification. Make calm eye contact with the speaker. Nod as they correct or confirm. After receiving clarification, confirm you understand: 'Wakari mashita. Arigatou gozaimasu.'
Seeking clarification with 'kakunin sasete kudasai' (let me confirm) rather than 'I didn't understand' maintains face for both parties in Japanese meetings. Framing the misheard point as a question ('yoroshikatta deshou ka' — was that correct?) allows the speaker to correct without being made to feel they were unclear. This is essential for productive meeting communication.