The following expressions are often used to convey agreement or sympathy with what a friend is telling you. These include “sou sou” (you’re right), “dane” (I agree) “dayo ne” (I think so, too), “desho (with raised intonation at the end) (isn’t it?),” and “aru aru” (these things happen). With the younger generation “wakaru-” (I understand), “sore ari” (that happens), “ieteru” (that’s exactly it), “desho, desho” (you are so right) are also often used. In addition, young people are increasingly using the ambiguous expression “wanchan” (an abbreviation of “one chance”). It means there might be a slim chance. When expressing dissent or antipathy, direct expressions such as “chigau yo” (that’s not right) and “sou ha omowanai” (I don’t think so) are not often used even among close friends. Even if you can’t bring yourself to agree with the person you are talking to, you answer with a skeptical tone “sou” (with raised intonation at the end) (really?), “soukanaa” (is it really like that?), “kanaa” (could that be right?) and “chotto, chigau kana” (it might be a little different). In addition, rather than expressing one’s own opinion, people prevaricate by using hypothetical expressions such as “ja, nai kamo” (it might be not be like that) and “chigau kamo” (that might be wrong), or simply one word “fu-n” (hmm). Placing priority on sharing the feelings of the person you’re talking with, rather than directly contradicting them is perhaps a typically Japanese trait. Standard polite conversation / Casual expressions : A: Don’t you think sea bream is the most tasty fish? B: I think so, too. A: Green peppers are the most delicious of vegetables. B: I don’t think so.