For me conversations in Japanese have never been easy. Hell, they’re not always easy for me in English. Sometimes I just run out of things to say. Sometimes I can’t find the right vocabulary or even summon the right grammar to express what I need to express.
I’ve been having more and more conversations with Japanese people, in all age ranges and from all types of backgrounds and regions of Japan. I ask the typical things, they ask the typical things. How long have you been here, where are you from, what hobbies, how do you like the local weather. Sometimes I’ll even throw in a cringe Oyaji gyagu. But sometimes I get thrown a curveball. Recently I got into a somewhat heated argument about traditional art vs modern commercial art. Didn’t have everything I needed for such a conversation, but I tried my best.
For those who speak Japanese regularly, what are one or two phrases that you feel have helped you flow better in conversations?
Could be anything, even grammar or vocab that you maybe didn’t think was helpful but ended up being a life saver.