Asking for Clearer Feedback on a Proposal | Learn Japanese in English

Japanese lesson set in a contemporary Tokyo everyday setting: At work, two colleagues discuss how to ask for clearer feedback on a proposal revision without sounding defensive..

EN → JA / Level: B1

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Use Asking for Clearer Feedback on a Proposal to practice Japanese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

フィードバックには、提案をもっと説得力のあるものにすべきだとありますが、少し曖昧に感じます。

FEE-doh bak-koo nee wah, tay-ahn oh MOHT-toh set-toh-koo-ryoh-koo noh ah-roo moh-noh nee soo-BEH-kee dah toh ah-ree-MAHSS gah, soo-KOH-shee eye-MY nee kan-jee-MAHSS. The feedback says the proposal should be stronger, but that feels vague.
B

証拠、語調、構成のうち、どの部分を直す必要があるのか聞いてみてください。

SHOH-koh, goh-CHOH, koh-SAY noh oo-chee, DOH-noh BOO-boon oh nah-oh-soo hee-tsu-YOH gah ah-roo noh kah KEE-teh mee-teh koo-dah-SIGH. Ask which part needs revision: the evidence, tone, or structure.
A

私は、導入部分では問題を十分にわかりやすく説明できていないのかもしれないと思います。

wah-TAH-shee wah, doh-NYOO BOO-boon deh wah mohn-DYE oh JOO-boon nee wah-kah-ree-yah-soo-koo seh-tsu-MAY deh-kee-teh ee-NAI noh kah-moh shee-REH-nai toh oh-moh-ee-MAHSS. I think the introduction may not explain the problem clearly enough.
B

では、どこを変えてほしいのか、具体的な例を聞いてみてください。

deh-WAH, DOH-koh oh kah-EH-teh hoh-SHEE noh kah, goo-tie-TEH-kee nah RAY oh KEE-teh mee-teh koo-dah-SIGH. Then ask for a specific example of what they want changed.
A

それでは、自分を守ろうとしているように聞こえませんか。

soh-reh deh-WAH, jee-boon oh mah-moh-ROH toh shee-teh ee-roo YOH nee kee-koh-eh-MAHSS kah. Would that sound defensive?
B

相手の期待に合わせたいと言えば、そうは聞こえません。

eye-teh noh kee-TIE nee ah-wah-seh-TIE toh ee-eh-bah, SOH wah kee-koh-eh-MAHSS. Not if you say you want to match their expectations.
A

私は、もっとデータが必要なのか、それとももっと自信のある語調が必要なのか、聞いてみることができます。

wah-TAH-shee wah, MOHT-toh DAY-tah gah hee-tsu-YOH nah noh kah, soh-reh-toh-MOH MOHT-toh jee-SHEEN noh ah-roo goh-CHOH gah hee-tsu-YOH nah noh kah, KEE-teh mee-roo koh-toh gah deh-kee-MAHSS. I can ask whether they want more data or a more confident tone.
B

それなら、相手は明確な二つの方向から選べます。

soh-reh-NAH-rah, eye-teh wah may-kah-koo nah foo-TAHT-soo noh hoh-KOH kah-rah eh-rah-beh-MAHSS. That gives them two clear directions to choose from.
A

その方向がわかれば、私は提案をすぐに修正できます。

SOH-noh hoh-KOH gah wah-kah-REH-bah, wah-TAH-shee wah tay-ahn oh SOO-goo nee shoo-SAY deh-kee-MAHSS. Once I know the direction, I can revise it quickly.
B

明確な指示があれば、不要な書き直しをしなくて済みます。

may-kah-koo nah SHEE-jee gah ah-reh-bah, foo-YOH nah kah-kee-nah-oh-shee oh shee-nah-koo-teh soo-MEE-mahss. Clear guidance can save unnecessary rewriting.

Word by Word

フィードバック Here フィードバック means the comments or assessment given about the proposal. It is the topic of the statement in フィードバックにはあります. In a work setting, this word is used for comments received on a draft, presentation, or other work.
に In フィードバックには, に marks the feedback as the place or source where the statement is found. Together with は, it frames the feedback as the topic. This use commonly appears when information is written or stated in a document or message.
は Here は makes フィードバック the topic and gives the sentence a slight contrastive focus. The speaker is discussing what the feedback says before adding a concern about it. The pattern nounには can introduce information associated with a particular source or topic.
提案 提案 means the proposal being discussed and revised. In 提案をもっと説得力のあるものにすべき, it is the item that should be improved. This word is useful for plans or ideas formally presented for consideration.
を In 提案をもっと説得力のあるものにすべき, を marks 提案 as the thing being changed into a more persuasive one. It connects the proposal with the improvement described after it. This particle commonly marks the object affected by an action.
もっと もっと means more or to a greater degree here, increasing the desired level of persuasiveness. It modifies the quality described in 説得力のあるもの. It is commonly placed before a quality or action when asking for a higher degree.
説得力 説得力 means persuasive power or the ability to convince someone. In 説得力のあるもの, it describes the proposal as something that has persuasive power. This noun is useful when discussing whether an argument, explanation, or proposal is convincing.
の In 説得力のあるもの, の links 説得力 with ある and helps form a description of something that has persuasive power. It is not simply showing possession here. This linking use appears when one noun is used to describe a quality associated with another noun.
ある In 説得力のあるもの, ある means to have or possess the stated quality, rather than simply to exist in a location. It forms a description of something with persuasive power. This form commonly follows a noun in a phrase describing a quality that something has.
もの もの means a thing or one, referring here to the proposal as something that should have persuasive power. In 説得力のあるもの, it turns the preceding description into a noun-like reference. It can be used after a description when referring to an item with that quality.
すべき すべき expresses what ought to be done, so the proposal should become more persuasive. Here it follows the description 説得力のあるもの. This form is used to present a recommendation or obligation in a relatively direct way.
だ Here だ makes 説得力のあるもの into a plain-style statement before the content marker と. The outer sentence is polite because it ends with あります, but the quoted content contains だ. This form commonly completes a plain statement inside reported content.
と In すべきだとあります, と marks the preceding statement as the content being stated. The whole content is that the proposal should be more persuasive. A complete clause followed by と can introduce content with verbs such as stating, thinking, or writing.
あります In フィードバックには、提案をもっと説得力のあるものにすべきだとあります, あります means the feedback says or states this. It is a polite way to report written or presented information, not simply physical existence. This use commonly follows content marked by と.
が Here が connects the statement about the feedback with the speaker's contrasting reaction: the feedback says one thing, but it feels vague. It softens the transition to a concern rather than making a sharp disagreement. This contrastive use commonly links two clauses.
少し 少し means slightly or somewhat and softens the judgment that the feedback is vague. It modifies the impression expressed in 曖昧に感じます. This word is commonly placed before a description when making a mild assessment.
曖昧 曖昧 means vague or ambiguous here, describing feedback that does not clearly say what should change. In 曖昧に感じます, it describes how the feedback feels to the speaker. This word is useful when an instruction, explanation, or answer lacks a clear meaning or direction.
感じます 感じます means feel or find something to be a certain way. In 曖昧に感じます, the speaker presents vagueness as a personal impression rather than an absolute accusation. This polite form is useful for expressing how feedback or a situation comes across.
証拠 証拠 means evidence, one possible part of the proposal that may need revision. It appears in a list with 語調 and 構成. In work discussions, this word refers to information or facts supporting a claim.
語調 語調 means the tone or manner of the language used. Here it is one possible aspect of the proposal that might need adjustment. This word is useful when discussing whether wording sounds confident, polite, formal, or otherwise appropriate.
構成 構成 means the structure or organization of the proposal. It is listed as another possible part needing revision, alongside evidence and tone. This word is commonly used for the arrangement of sections or ideas in a document.
うち In 証拠、語調、構成のうち, うち means among or within the listed group. It limits the question to the three parts just mentioned. The pattern A、B、Cのうち is useful when selecting one item from several options.
どの どの means which and directly modifies 部分 in どの部分. It asks the listener to identify one part from the possible sections. This form is used before a noun when choosing one item from known alternatives.
部分 部分 means part or section, referring here to a section of the proposal. In どの部分を直す, it is the thing whose location or identity is being asked about. This word is useful for identifying one section of a document, task, or larger object.
直す 直す means fix or revise here, referring to making a change to a part of the proposal. It appears in 直す必要がある, where the revision is presented as necessary. This form commonly takes the item being revised with を.
必要 必要 means necessity or need in 直す必要がある. The phrase says that revising the part is needed. This noun commonly appears between an action in its plain form and がある to express that the action is necessary.
か In 必要があるのか聞いて, か marks an embedded question about which part needs revision. It makes the preceding clause the content of what should be asked. An indirect question can be followed by か before a verb such as 聞く.
聞いて 聞いて means ask in this dialogue and is the connected form of the verb used before みて. The speaker is being advised to ask for clarification. This form commonly links an action to another expression, as in the request to try asking.
みて In 聞いてみてください, みて contributes the meaning of trying the action of asking. It does not mean physically seeing here. The pattern attached to an action in this way is useful when suggesting that someone try doing something.
ください ください makes the request polite in 聞いてみてください. The whole expression asks the listener to try asking. It commonly follows a connected action form when politely requesting that someone do something.
私 私 means I or me and explicitly identifies the speaker in the sentence. It is the person who may not have explained the problem clearly enough. This form is commonly used as a neutral first-person reference in professional conversation.
導入 導入 means introduction or opening section. In 導入部分, it identifies the beginning section of the proposal. This word is useful when discussing the opening part of a document, presentation, or explanation.
では In 導入部分では, では marks the introduction section as the setting or scope of the statement. It means that the problem may not be explained clearly in that section. This use commonly focuses attention on a particular place, section, or situation.
問題 問題 means the problem or issue being explained. In 問題を十分にわかりやすく説明, it is the direct topic of the explanation. This word is useful for discussing an issue that a document or presentation needs to clarify.
十分 十分 means sufficiently or enough in 十分にわかりやすく. It sets the required degree of clarity for the explanation. This word is commonly used before a description or action to say that something reaches an adequate level.
わかりやすく わかりやすく means clearly or in an easy-to-understand way. In わかりやすく説明, it describes how the problem should be explained. This form is useful before an action when specifying that the action should be easy for others to understand.
説明 説明 means explanation or explaining, referring here to the act of explaining the problem. It appears in 説明できていない, where the speaker questions whether the explanation has been successful. This word commonly takes the subject matter being explained with を.
できていない できていない presents the explaining as not having been successfully accomplished or as still not being adequate. Together with 説明, it means the problem may not have been explained clearly enough. This form is useful when describing an action that has not achieved the intended result.
かもしれない かもしれない means may or might and expresses uncertainty about the speaker's self-assessment. In this fixed construction, か introduces a possible interpretation, も contributes the possibility nuance, and しれない conveys that the matter cannot be known with certainty. It is useful when presenting a possibility without stating it as fact.
思います 思います means think or believe and presents the preceding idea as the speaker's view. In かもしれないと思います, it further softens the uncertain assessment. The pattern ending in と思います is useful for expressing an opinion politely.
どこ どこ means where, but in どこを変えてほしいのか it asks which place or part should be changed. It identifies the part the other person wants revised. This form is useful when asking which location or section an action should affect.
変えて 変えて means change in the connected form used before ほしい. Here it refers to changing a part of the proposal. This form commonly links an action to an expression of another person's desired action.
ほしい After 変えて, ほしい means that the speaker wants someone else to change it. It does not express wanting an object here; it expresses a desired action. The pattern formed with an action in this position is useful for saying that you want another person to do something.
具体的 具体的 means specific or concrete in 具体的な例. It asks for an example that makes the requested change clear rather than leaving the feedback general. This word is useful when requesting details that can be identified or acted on.
な Here な links 具体的 with the noun 例, allowing the description to modify that noun. It is part of the noun-modifying form used after this type of describing word. It commonly appears between a description and the noun it describes.
例 例 means example, referring to a concrete instance of what should be changed. Asking for an example is presented as a way to clarify vague feedback. This word is useful when requesting evidence or a specific case to illustrate a point.
それ それ means that and refers back to the proposed action of asking for a specific example. In それでは, the speaker considers how that action would sound. Demonstrative forms like this are useful for referring to an action or idea just mentioned.
自分 自分 means oneself and refers here to the speaker protecting their own position. In 自分を守ろうとしている, it is the person affected by the action of protecting. This word is useful when referring to oneself in relation to an action without repeating a personal name.
守ろう Within 守ろうとしている, 守ろう supplies the intended action of protecting oneself. The form contributes to the meaning of trying to protect or defend oneself, which is why the question concerns sounding defensive. This construction is useful for describing an attempt or intention to do an action.
している In 守ろうとしている, している presents the attempt to protect oneself as an ongoing state. It helps express that the person appears to be trying to do something. This form commonly follows an expression of intention when describing an attempt in progress.
よう In ように聞こえません, よう indicates an appearance or manner, giving the meaning as if or seeming to be. It connects the apparent action of protecting oneself with how the request sounds. This pattern is useful for describing how words or behavior come across to another person.
聞こえません 聞こえません means does not sound or come across here, rather than simply cannot be heard. In ように聞こえません, it says the request will not give the impression of being defensive. This polite negative form is useful when discussing how an expression sounds to an interlocutor.
相手 相手 means the other person or counterpart, here the people whose expectations the proposal should meet. It is the source of the feedback being discussed. This word is commonly followed by の when describing something belonging to or associated with the other person.
期待 期待 means expectation, specifically the expectations of the people giving feedback. In 相手の期待, it identifies the standard the speaker wants to meet. This noun is useful in professional discussions about what others hope or require.
合わせたい 合わせたい means want to match or align, and in 期待に合わせたい it means wanting the proposal to match the other person's expectations. The ending expresses the speaker's desire. This form commonly combines with に when describing the standard or target to align with.
言えば 言えば means if you say and introduces the condition in which the request will not sound defensive. In 合わせたいと言えば, it refers to saying that you want to meet their expectations. This conditional form is useful for describing what happens if someone says or does something.
そう そう means that way or like that and refers to the defensive impression mentioned in the previous question. In そうは聞こえません, the speaker says it will not sound that way. This form is useful for referring back to an interpretation or manner already discussed.
データ データ means data, one possible thing the feedback may request more of. It is contrasted with a more confident tone in the question. This word is commonly used when discussing evidence or information supporting a proposal.
自信 自信 means confidence. In 自信のある語調, it describes a tone that conveys confidence. This noun is useful when discussing how strongly or assuredly someone presents an idea.
みる In 聞いてみることができます, みる is the auxiliary meaning try doing, attached to 聞いて. It shows that the speaker can try asking the question. This form is useful after an action when describing an attempt to carry it out.
こと In 聞いてみることができます, こと turns the action of trying to ask into a noun-like unit. That unit can then be used with できます to express ability. This pattern is useful for saying that someone can perform a particular action.
できます できます means can or be able to. Here it says that the speaker is able to ask whether more data or a more confident tone is wanted. It commonly follows a noun-like action expression when describing ability.
なら In それなら, なら means if that is the case or then, connecting the proposed question with its benefit. It treats the previous idea as the condition for the next statement. This form is useful when responding to a suggestion and drawing a consequence from it.
明確 明確 means clear or definite in 明確な二つの方向. It describes the two revision paths as easy to distinguish. This word is useful before a noun when emphasizing that an option, instruction, or difference is clearly defined.
方向 方向 means direction, and here it refers to a possible path for revising the proposal. The two directions are whether to add data or use a more confident tone. This word can describe a practical course or approach, not only a physical direction.
から In 二つの方向から選べます, から marks the set or range from which a choice is made. It means from the two clear directions. This use commonly appears when selecting one option from a stated group.
選べます 選べます means can choose and describes the other person's ability to select one of the two directions. It is the polite potential form used for choosing among options. This form is useful when explaining that a person has a choice.
その その means that or the aforementioned and points back to the direction just identified. In その方向, it refers to the selected revision path rather than introducing a new one. This form is commonly placed before a noun when referring to something already discussed.
わかれば わかれば means if or once one knows or understands. Here knowing the direction is the condition for revising the proposal quickly. This conditional form is useful for expressing what can happen once a piece of information becomes clear.
すぐ すぐ appears as すぐに and means quickly or soon. It modifies the revision action, showing that the proposal can be changed without delay once the direction is known. This word is commonly used before an action to describe its timing.
修正 修正 means revision or revising, and in 提案をすぐに修正できます it refers to changing the proposal in response to the guidance. It describes a deliberate correction rather than simply making something different. This word is useful for documents, plans, and other work that is being improved.
指示 指示 means guidance or instruction. In 明確な指示, it refers to clear directions about what should be changed. This word is useful in work situations when someone needs actionable guidance before revising a task or document.
あれば In 明確な指示があれば, あれば means if there is or if one has. It makes clear guidance the condition for avoiding unnecessary rewriting. This conditional form is useful when describing what becomes possible when something is available.
不要 不要 means unnecessary in 不要な書き直し. It describes rewriting that could be avoided with clearer guidance. This word is useful before a noun when identifying work, effort, or items that are not needed.
書き直し 書き直し means rewriting or redrafting, referring here to having to rewrite the proposal unnecessarily. It names the work that clear instructions can help avoid. This noun is useful when discussing a document that must be written again or substantially revised.
しなくて In しなくて済みます, しなくて means without doing or without having to do. It links the avoided action to 済みます. This pattern is useful for saying that a task can be avoided because the circumstances make it unnecessary.
済みます In しなくて済みます, 済みます means can manage without doing something or can avoid the need for it. The full expression says that clear guidance prevents unnecessary rewriting. This use differs from simply finishing a task and commonly describes avoiding an unwanted action.

Grammar Points

動詞の意向形＋としている

相手の期待を守ろうとしている。

eye-teh noh kee-TIE oh mah-moh-ROH toh shee-teh ee-roo.

I am trying to meet the other person's expectations.

This pattern means someone is attempting or making an effort to do something.

動詞の可能形（〜ます／〜ません）

明確な方向を選べます。

may-kah-koo nah hoh-KOH oh eh-rah-beh-MAHSS.

You can choose a clear direction.

The potential form expresses ability or possibility, such as “can choose” or “cannot be heard.”

Japanese Vocabulary

フィードバック noun
FEE-doh bak-koo feedback
わかりやすく adv
wah-kah-ree-yah-soo-koo clearly; in an easy-to-understand way
語調 noun
goh-CHOH tone
構成 noun
koh-SAY structure
十分に adv
JOO-boon-nee sufficiently; enough
証拠 noun
SHOH-koh evidence
説得力のある phrase
set-toh-koo-ryoh-koo noh ah-roo persuasive
直す verb
nah-oh-soo to fix; to revise
提案 noun
tay-ahn proposal
導入部分 noun
doh-NYOO BOO-boon introduction
部分 noun
BOO-boon part
曖昧 adj
eye-MY vague 曖昧に

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

feedback

Show Answerフィードバック

persuasive

Show Answer説得力のある

introduction

Show Answer導入部分

clearly; in an easy-to-understand way

Show Answerわかりやすく