Lesson #45: すみません、分かりませんでした (Sumimasen, wakarimasen deshita)

Asking someone to repeat and clarify

English Title: Asking someone to repeat and clarify

Role-play Setup

You’re working at a metalworking company. In a meeting, your factory manager uses many difficult business terms. You don’t understand them, so you need to ask for clarification.

Full Script & Explanation

The Meeting

Jooshi / Superior

それでは、来期の見通しについてお伝えします。
Soredewa, raiki no mitooshi ni tsuite otsutae-shimasu.
Now then, I’ll tell you about the outlook for the next term.

「来期」means “next term” or “next period.” 「見通し」means “outlook” or “forecast.” 「お伝えします」is the humble polite form of “to tell.” [giving factual information]

Jooshi / Superior

ここ数年、売上は低迷しておりました。しかし、来期は増収増益を見込んでおります。
Koko suunen, uriage wa teemee-shite orimashita. Shikashi, raiki wa zooshuu zooeki o mikonde orimasu.
For the past few years, sales have been sluggish. However, we expect increased revenue and profit for the next term.

「低迷」means “stagnation” or “slump.” 「増収増益」is a business term meaning “increased revenue and increased profit.” 「見込む」means “to expect” or “to anticipate.” [giving factual information]

Jooshi / Superior

とはいえ、不測の事態に備えて、引き続き経費削減に努める必要があります。
To wa ie, fusoku no jitai ni sonaete, hikitsuzuki keepi sakugen ni tsutomeru hitsuyoo ga arimasu.
That said, to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, we need to continue striving for cost reduction.

「不測の事態」means “unforeseen circumstances” or “emergency.” 「経費削減」means “cost reduction.” 「努める」means “to strive” or “to make an effort.” [giving factual information]

After the Meeting

Student

あの、工場長。
Ano, koojoochoo.
Um, Factory Manager.

Calling to get the manager’s attention. [attracting attention]

Jooshi / Superior

ん？何？
N? Nani?
Hm? What is it?

The manager responds. [responding]

KEY PHRASE

Student

すみません、分かりませんでした。もう一度、違う言葉で説明していただけませんか。
Sumimasen, wakarimasen deshita. Moo ichido, chigau kotoba de setsumee-shite itadakemasen ka.
I’m sorry, I didn’t understand. Could you explain it again in different words?

「分かりませんでした」is the polite past tense of “I don’t understand.” 「違う言葉」means “different words.” 「説明していただけませんか」is the polite form asking “Could you explain?”

This phrase is the proper way to ask for clarification when you don’t understand. It’s honest, polite, and shows your willingness to learn. [requesting] [apologizing for not understanding]

Jooshi / Superior

あぁ、ごめんごめん。専門用語ばかりで難しいよね。
Aa, gomen gomen. Senmon-yoogo bakari de muzukashii yo ne.
Ah, sorry, sorry. It’s full of technical terms—it’s difficult, isn’t it?

「専門用語」means “technical terms” or “jargon.” 「ばかり」means “only” or “nothing but.” The manager acknowledges the difficulty. [offering an apology] [giving factual information]

Student

「増収増益」というのはどういう意味ですか。
“Zooshuu zooeki” to iu no wa doo iu imi desu ka.
What does “zooshuu zooeki” mean?

「というのは」is used to quote and ask about a specific term. 「どういう意味ですか」means “what does it mean?” [asking for information]

Jooshi / Superior

あぁ、売上も増えて、利益も増えるって意味だよ。
Aa, uriage mo fuete, rieki mo fueru tte imi da yo.
Ah, it means both sales increase and profit increases.

「売上」means “sales revenue.” 「利益」means “profit.” 「増える」means “to increase.” The manager provides a simple explanation. [giving factual information]

Student

なるほど。じゃあ、「不測の事態」というのは？
Naruhodo. Jaa, “fusoku no jitai” to iu no wa?
I see. Then, what about “fusoku no jitai”?

「なるほど」means “I see” or “I understand.” The student asks about another term. [asking for information]

Jooshi / Superior

何が起こるか分からない状況だよ。
Nani ga okoru ka wakaranai jookyoo da yo.
It’s a situation where you don’t know what will happen.

The manager explains in simpler terms. [giving factual information]

Student

よく分かりました。ありがとうございます。
Yoku wakarimashita. Arigatoo gozaimasu.
I understand well now. Thank you very much.

「よく分かりました」means “I understood well.” [expressing gratitude]

Jooshi / Superior

次からは、分かりやすい言葉で説明するようにするよ。
Tsugi kara wa, wakariyasui kotoba de setsumee-suru yoo ni suru yo.
From next time, I’ll try to explain in easier-to-understand words.

「分かりやすい」means “easy to understand.” 「ようにする」means “to make an effort to” or “to try to.” The manager commits to clearer communication. [stating intention]

Vocabulary

来期 (raiki) - next term, next period
Example: 来期の予算を計画します。(We’ll plan next term’s budget.)

見通し (mitooshi) - outlook, forecast, prospect
Example: 経済の見通しは明るい。(The economic outlook is bright.)

低迷 (teemee) - stagnation, slump, sluggish
Example: 売上が低迷しています。(Sales are stagnant.)

増収増益 (zooshuu zooeki) - increased revenue and increased profit
Example: 今年は増収増益を達成しました。(We achieved increased revenue and profit this year.)

不測の事態 (fusoku no jitai) - unforeseen circumstances, emergency
Example: 不測の事態に備える必要があります。(We need to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.)

経費削減 (keepi sakugen) - cost reduction, expense cutting
Example: 経費削減の取り組みを始めました。(We started cost reduction efforts.)

専門用語 (senmon-yoogo) - technical terms, jargon, terminology
Example: 専門用語が多くて難しいです。(There are many technical terms and it’s difficult.)

売上 (uriage) - sales, revenue
Example: 今月の売上が増えました。(This month’s sales increased.)

利益 (rieki) - profit, gain
Example: 利益を上げることが目標です。(The goal is to increase profit.)

Cultural Notes

Asking for Clarification in Japanese Meetings

Japanese business culture around asking questions:

Don’t pretend to understand - It’s better to ask than to make mistakes later
Wait for appropriate timing - After the meeting or during Q&A is often better than interrupting
Apologize first - Start with「すみません」to show humility
Be specific - Ask about particular terms rather than saying “I didn’t understand anything”
Show willingness to learn - Your question demonstrates engagement and responsibility

The Challenge of Business Jargon

Japanese business language (ビジネス用語) includes many specialized terms:

Often derived from Chinese characters (漢語)
Four-character compounds are common (四字熟語)
Can be intimidating for non-native speakers and even young Japanese workers
Good managers simplify when communicating with diverse teams

Cultural Acceptance of「分かりません」

Saying “I don’t understand” is acceptable in Japanese workplace culture when:

You phrase it politely
You show effort to understand
You ask specific questions
You thank the person for clarifying

It’s NOT acceptable to:

Remain silent and make mistakes later
Repeatedly ask the same questions without trying to learn
Challenge the speaker’s communication skills

Grammar Points

The Pattern「違う言葉で」

Pattern: 違う + [noun] + で

「違う」means “different,” and「で」indicates the means/method.

Examples:

違う言葉で説明してください。
(Please explain in different words.)
違う方法でやってみます。
(I’ll try a different method.)
違う色で描きました。
(I drew it in a different color.)

Using「というのは」to Ask About Terms

Pattern: [word/phrase] + というのは + [question]

This pattern is used to ask about the meaning of a specific word or phrase.

Examples:

「経費削減」というのはどういう意味ですか。
(What does “keepi sakugen” mean?)
「不測の事態」というのは何ですか。
(What is “fusoku no jitai”?)
「低迷」というのは、簡単に言うとどういうことですか。
(Simply put, what does “teemee” mean?)

The Expression「ばかり」

「ばかり」means “only,” “nothing but,” or “full of.”

Examples:

専門用語ばかりで分かりません。
(It’s full of technical terms and I don’t understand.)
仕事ばかりしています。
(I do nothing but work.)
文句ばかり言う。
(To complain all the time.)

Note: 「ばかり」can have a negative connotation, suggesting “too much of one thing.”

Tips from this Dialogue

なるほど (naruhodo) - I see, indeed

「なるほど」expresses understanding or acknowledgment.

Usage:

When you understand an explanation
To show you’re following the conversation
To indicate agreement with a point

Examples:

なるほど、そういうことですか。
(I see, so that’s what it means.)
なるほどね。分かりました。
(I see. I understand.)

Caution: In very formal situations with superiors, 「なるほど」can sound too casual. Use「はい」or「そうですか」instead.

よく分かりました (yoku wakarimashita)

「よく」means “well” and emphasizes that you understood completely.

Alternatives:

分かりました。(I understood.)
よく分かりました。(I understood well.)
理解できました。(I was able to understand - formal)
承知しました。(I acknowledge - very formal)

ようにする (yoo ni suru) - to try to, to make an effort to

Pattern: [verb dictionary form] + ようにする

This expresses making an effort or trying to do something habitually.

Examples:

毎日運動するようにします。
(I’ll try to exercise every day.)
早く寝るようにしています。
(I’m trying to go to bed early.)
間違えないようにします。
(I’ll try not to make mistakes.)

Keego (Polite Language)

Different Ways to Say “I Don’t Understand”

From casual to formal:

分からない。(Casual)
分かりません。(Polite)
分かりませんでした。(Polite past - acknowledging you tried)
よく分かりません。(Politely uncertain)
理解できませんでした。(Formal - I couldn’t understand)
申し訳ございませんが、理解できかねます。(Very formal - I regret I cannot understand)

Requesting Explanation Politely

Levels of politeness:

もう一度言って。(Casual)
もう一度言ってください。(Polite)
もう一度説明していただけますか。(Polite with humble receiving)
もう一度説明していただけませんか。(More polite, softer request)
もう一度ご説明いただけますでしょうか。(Very polite)

Business Terms Explained

増収増益 (zooshuu zooeki)

This is a four-character compound (四字熟語) commonly used in business:

増収 = increased revenue (増 = increase, 収 = revenue)
増益 = increased profit (増 = increase, 益 = profit)

Opposite:

減収減益 (genshuugeneeki) = decreased revenue and profit

不測の事態 (fusoku no jitai)

不測 = unexpected, unforeseen
事態 = situation, circumstances

Similar expressions:

緊急事態 (kinkyuu jitai) = emergency situation
想定外 (sootee-gai) = beyond expectations
非常時 (hijooji) = emergency, crisis

経費削減 (keepi sakugen)

経費 = expenses, costs
削減 = reduction, cutback

Related terms:

コスト削減 (kosuto sakugen) = cost cutting
経費節減 (keepi setsugen) = economizing on expenses
支出削減 (shishutsu sakugen) = expenditure reduction

Kanji

低 - low, short
Reading: ひく (hiku), テイ (tei)
Example: 低迷 (teemee - stagnation), 低い (hikui - low)

迷 - astray, be perplexed
Reading: まよ (mayo), メイ (mei)
Example: 低迷 (teemee - stagnation), 迷う (mayou - to be lost)

増 - increase, add
Reading: ま (ma), ふ (fu), ゾウ (zoo)
Example: 増える (fueru - to increase), 増収 (zooshuu - increased revenue)

収 - income, obtain
Reading: おさ (osa), シュウ (shuu)
Example: 増収 (zooshuu - increased revenue), 収入 (shuunyuu - income)

益 - benefit, gain
Reading: エキ (eki), ヤク (yaku)
Example: 増益 (zooeki - increased profit), 利益 (rieki - profit)

測 - measure, fathom
Reading: はか (haka), ソク (soku)
Example: 不測 (fusoku - unforeseen), 測る (hakaru - to measure)

経 - sutra, manage
Reading: へ (he), ケイ (kei)
Example: 経費 (keepi - expenses), 経験 (keeken - experience)

費 - expense, cost
Reading: つい (tsui), ヒ (hi)
Example: 経費 (keepi - expenses), 費用 (hiyoo - cost)

削 - plane, sharpen
Reading: けず (kezu), サク (saku)
Example: 削減 (sakugen - reduction), 削る (kezuru - to shave)

減 - decrease, subtract
Reading: へ (he), ゲン (gen)
Example: 削減 (sakugen - reduction), 減る (heru - to decrease)

Source

Based on NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s “Easy Japanese for Work” Lesson #45
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/easyjapaneseforwork/skit45.html