Naruhodo! A Useful Phrase “I See” in Japanese

Indeed, “naruhodo” is a common word used by Japanese people on a daily basis. Naruhodo is the same as “I see” in English.

Originally, “naruhodo” was used to express the idea of “as much as possible.” However, its meaning has evolved over time. It went from expressing the concept of “there is nothing better than as much as possible” to “there is nothing else that can be thought of,” and eventually to “it is clear.” Nowadays, the word is commonly used to indicate agreement or acceptance in the present.

In certain situations, the word “naruhodo” is used to convey a sense of compromise or yielding. When you temporarily agree with someone’s opinion by retracting your own, you can use the word “naruhodo”. This implies that you acknowledge and understand their perspective.

For example, when you say “naruhodo,” it shows that you have evaluated and agreed with the person’s opinion.

However, evaluating the other person can be perceived as condescending, so it is understood that it is not preferable to use such expressions with superiors or individuals of higher status.

Is “naruhodo desu” correct polite word?

In Japanese, people use “desu” or “masu” after phrases or words to express politeness, a practice known as 敬語 (keigo). Please note that “naruhodo” does not have an honorific expression, so using “desu” after it is incorrect. Be cautious about using “naruhodo” in business settings.

↓If you are more interested in Japanese sentence-final particles, please refer to the below post.

Sounds Like More Japanese

Don’t use too much “naruhodo” in a conversation

“Naruhodo” is a useful word that can be translated as “I see” in English. However, when you use “naruhodo” excessively in a conversation, people might question if you are truly listening to them. This is because “naruhodo” is a convenient phrase that some individuals tend to overuse as a way to quickly end a conversation.

It is important to use “naruhodo” appropriately and in moderation to maintain a natural flow of conversation. Instead of relying solely on “naruhodo,” try to actively engage in the conversation by asking questions or providing thoughtful responses. This will show that you are genuinely interested and attentive to the other person’s words.

When used appropriately and in moderation, “naruhodo” can be a valuable addition to your Japanese conversational skills. It allows you to show understanding, agreement, and compromise in a polite manner. Remember to be mindful of the context and the frequency of its usage to maintain a natural and engaging conversation.