Aizuchi: The Japanese Habit of Active Listening
29 May 2026 · Mozhippattru Japanese Language School
Aizuchi (相槌) are the short reactions listeners give to show they're paying attention. Using them makes you sound far more natural.
Common aizuchi
- うん / はい — yes / mm-hm
- そうですね — that's right / I see
- 本当ですか — really?
- なるほど — I see / makes sense
- へえ〜 — wow / interesting
Why they matter
In Japanese, staying silent while someone talks can feel like you're not listening. Frequent, gentle aizuchi keep the conversation flowing and friendly.
How to use them
Sprinkle them naturally as the other person speaks — a nod plus a short そうですね goes a long way. Watch native conversations and copy the timing.
Master aizuchi and even simple conversations will feel warm and authentically Japanese.
Arul Prakash founded and personally teaches at Mozhippattru. He cleared JLPT N1 largely through self-study and spent 4 years as a Japanese interpreter for Fujitsu, Toyota and Sango — and now teaches Japanese in Tamil to beginners across India.
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