Japanese Idiom Lesson:
あいづちを打つ
sounds given during a conversation to show you are listening and engaged
When talking with someone, to show you are engaged in the conversation, you may nod or say things like “That’s right” or “You don’t say!”
Examples of あいづち in Japanese are 「はい」、「うん」、「へえ」、and 「なるほど」.
This idiom comes from the rhythm the blacksmith and his apprentice have when trading blows hammering hot metal. The あい comes from 相 (together) and つち is a 槌 (hammer). 打つ means to hit. Two people hammering hot metal require careful coordination as do people in conversation.
あの人の話は面白くなかったけれど、一応あいづちを打ちながら聞いていた。
That person’s story was not interesting, but I listened while throwing in the occasional “uh huh” and “yes.”
あの人—that person
話—story; talk
面白くなかった—wasn’t interesting
けれど—but; however
一応—for the time being
～ながら—while
Want to learn more useful Japanese idioms? We have the book for you. 101 Common Japanese idioms covers useful idioms with example sentences and explanations. Click here to learn more.
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Hi Yohanna, glad you found it very helpful 🙂