Translation guide
How to agree, confirm, or acknowledge in Japanese, depending on formality and context.
You want to say 'that's right' to agree with what someone just said.
Polite and neutral. The most common way to agree in formal or polite conversation.
A: Is this Tanaka's book? B: Yes, that's right.
Plain form, used among friends or in casual settings. Can sound blunt if used in polite contexts.
A: Is tomorrow a day off? B: That's right.
More emphatic, meaning 'exactly right' or 'just as you say'. Polite and often used in business or formal agreement.
Very casual, often used when you suddenly remember or strongly agree. Repeated 'yes, yes' feeling.
You want to confirm that something you heard or understood is correct.
Polite confirmation. Often used in response to a yes/no question.
A: Is the meeting from 3 o'clock? B: Yes, that's right.
Polite and softer, often used when thinking or agreeing while confirming. Can also mean 'let me see'.
Casual confirmation. Often used with a rising intonation as a question, or flat as a statement.
You want to say 'that's right' when someone corrects you or reminds you of something you forgot.
While そうです is correct, repeating it too often can sound robotic. In casual conversation, そうだね or うん are more natural. In formal settings, vary with その通りです or おっしゃる通りです.
そうです is a direct confirmation. そうですね adds a nuance of 'I agree' or 'let me think', making it softer and more conversational. Use そうですね when you want to show you are considering the statement.
A: Is there a problem with this plan? B: That's right.
A: あの店、駅の近くだよね？B: そうそう！
A: That shop is near the station, right? B: That's right!
A: Should I put this document here? B: That's right, please put it there.
A: Can I use this? B: Yeah, that's right.
A: The homework is due tomorrow. B: Oh, that's right. Thanks.