Giving sensitive feedback in Japanese

Level B2

Giving sensitive feedback in Japanese

These notes explain ways to raise concerns and suggest a change in Japanese without making the message needlessly confrontational. English speakers should notice that Japanese signals politeness through verb endings and set phrases, rather than through a formal version of “you.”

Words for concerns, reservations, and refusals

“気になる点を挙げる” means to bring up a point of concern, “不安” means worry or unease, “とは言えない” means “cannot quite be called,” and “断る” means to refuse. In this lesson, “不安があります” says that the speaker has concerns about a plan. English “reservation” can sound like a formal objection; “不安” more directly describes the speaker’s worry.

Describe a misunderstanding without blaming someone

The formal example says “認識のずれがあるようなので,” presenting a gap in understanding as something that seems to exist rather than accusing the listener. It then asks “確認してもよろしいですか,” a polite way to ask permission to check. The informal example uses “お互い勘違いしてたかもしれない,” sharing the possible misunderstanding between both people, and ends with a casual suggestion. English uses phrases such as “there seems to be,” but Japanese can further soften a request through expressions like “てもよろしいですか.”

話題について行き違いの説明ようなので、確認のお願い。

Soften criticism and state what needs to happen

“信頼できるとは言えません” means “cannot be called reliable,” which avoids a blunt statement that something is unreliable while still making the problem clear. “確認する必要があります” then states the necessary action in a formal register. In the informal example, “フェアとは言えない” softens the criticism, while “毎回洗おう” makes a direct, shared proposal. English “not exactly reliable” also understates criticism, but Japanese uses the construction “とは言えない.”

評価する対象は肯定的な評価とは言(い)えないから、必要な対応や提案。

Decline and offer another option

The formal phrase “申し訳ありませんが” expresses apology before the explicit refusal “断らせていただきます,” a deferential way to decline a request. It then offers help on Monday. The informal example says “今回は断るしかないけど,” then makes clear that the speaker would like to join next week. English “I’m afraid” softens a refusal; Japanese uses an apology in the formal example and a regretful explanation in the casual one.

和らげる前置き、断る対象は断らせていただきます。ただ、代わりにできること。

Raise a concern in a professional conversation

This exchange uses polite Japanese throughout, including “挙げたいのですが,” “気になりますか,” and “ご了承いただけますか.” The speaker raises a concern about the delivery date, explains why promising Friday feels worrying, and asks for agreement to Monday instead. The last phrase is a deferential request for consent, not a casual suggestion. Japanese conveys politeness through verb forms and set phrases, rather than through a formal version of “you.”

Raise a concern with someone close to you

This exchange uses casual endings and familiar phrasing, such as “挙げてもいい？” and “心配なの？” The speaker explains the worry about spending their savings and proposes finding somewhere cheaper with “探さない？” English does not change verb endings for formality, but Japanese shifts its sentence endings and request forms between casual conversation and polite workplace speech.

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