"Your Japanese is Good" Do they REALLY Mean it?

Are Japanese people telling the truth or are they just trying to be nice? Learning Japanese is really hard and people at all levels question their own abilities. If you make a mistake will Japanese people correct you or just keep smiling and never say anything? Today I interviewed foreigners and Japanese people living in Japan to see what they think.
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Collaborations:
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Ray: / @konichiwamydude
Lisa: / @badbabybombofficial9811
Akaki: / kukakiaameri
My instagram: anming7

[@OrientalPearl]

Believe it or not I met almost every single person in this video on a app called hellotalk. See their channels in the video description and sign up for a free account to make Japanese friends: brc.hellotalk.com/OrientalPearl

[@allrounderchanneltn5162]

Wow Amazing? You really are something else my friend

[@allrounderchanneltn5162]

I can speak TAMIL

[@OrientalPearl]

@@allrounderchanneltn5162 Thank you so much! I love making friends’s it’s my main motivation for learning.

[@allrounderchanneltn5162]

@@OrientalPearl thank you so much my friend. Can you tell me which city's in Japan can I best to move and work there ? Can you recommend any more you know

[@allrounderchanneltn5162]

@@OrientalPearl if you interested Tamil language I happy to teach you my friend

[@JapaneseEmichannel]

thank you for interviewing me 💕💕

[@OrientalPearl]

I'm working on editing the other videos we did together! I think people are going to like what we made.

[@sowmyashree6849]

@@OrientalPearl sure will, can't wait so see the next video 😊👍

[@ZA-ts2vc]

@@OrientalPearl Oooo can't wait to see what else you got coming!

[@mauricegford16497]

Oh wow! I just saw this video and WTF? It's Emi!!! 🤣🤣

[@ReneSpeak]

I think japanese people say that to encourage people and not sound rude, since they're so polite. But I think it would be better if they complimented and then sugested some corrections, not all of them at once. That would be great. Maybe teachers have that perception. Great vid, btw. Love the subjects you bring here.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much for your insight into this. I'd love to do more interviews like this.

[@Konichiwamydude]

Thanks for interviewing me, it was so much fun;)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks Ray! I'm working on the HelloTalk video we did. That might not be the next one but the one after the next one.

[@bobbyqian5213]

could i have the honor to meet you on hellotalk? I'm dying to chat with you individually.

[@OrientalPearl]

@@bobbyqian5213 If you can find the account :)

[@lulu9759]

It depends on the context. 1. If you can have basic conversations, “your Japanese is good” means something like, “Your Japanese is a lot better than average foreigners who cant even say hello in Japanese. I know learning a foreign language takes time and effort so I really admire you ” 2. If you are conversationally fluent, it means “Wow I really admire your effort. It must take so much time to reach that level.” 3. If your Japanese is at a native level, I wouldn’t say “your Japanese is good.” I would say “Is your parent Japanese? OMG what’s going on. How did you study?”

[@l81z]

It’s all relative. It’s like telling a little kid they did a good job on something… Even if they did a horrible job by adult standards,…

[@alexcarter8807]

I've done a bit of international travel and ... in my experience most Americans don't bother to learn *anything* about the language or country, and if you at least make a little effort, to learn about the country, a bit of the language, and don't act like you're disappointed that X country isn't just like I dunno, Iowa or wherever you're from in the US, the locals are appreciative.

[@ashleybanks2918]

I enjoyed how you incorporated different viewpoints on this question. Where some people said they were being genuine with their compliments, others were just being polite. Leaving that in allows the viewers to come to their own conclusions but it was also clear that more than likely, someone is complimenting you on your efforts not your ability haha. Which is still worth something!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks Ashley. I'm glad you liked this style. There is no complete answer to this question. I'm glad the video captured that.

[@DriftQueenx]

It’s very true, here in Ireland we wouldn’t compliment someone on their English in case they grew up here too and you would offend them. It’s very interesting watching your videos, I love that you continuously provide meaningful content. Thank you!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for watching Ireland! Sending love from Japan.

[@jeffstumpf9129]

Yes, Ciara, you speak English. And the Irish have their own way of speaking it. But, can you speak Irish?

[@yellowtiger6296]

Agreed!

[@justinfufun5483]

@@jeffstumpf9129 we can all speak Irish, cupla focal, maith an fear, ta me i mo chonai i deilginis, ca bhfuil si anois, agus anois an nuacht

[@johanardi76]

This in not a bad thing actually. Even here in Indonesia we will say that your "Bahasa is Good" to foreigners 🙂 To whom who learn language other countries please dont give up because you are genius 😊 (sorry for my English)

[@DavidKAnderson]

That's the progression I've often had described, too: "Your Japanese is really good!" when it's dreadful but at least you're trying. Then you'll hear "how long have you been in Japan?" added, once your Japanese is still pretty primitive but isn't entirely cringeworthy. Then once it's actually good, you'll never hear another compliment. lol I'm still at the "Your Japanese is really good!" stage... =/ I'll get better.

[@OrientalPearl]

Yeah at the advanced level compliments are pretty rare, but they do happen sometimes.

[@bootyholelover5639]

I feel like in America we aren't that impressed by people who speak English fluently. We aren't segregated on an island like the Japanese, so if someone with an accent speaks perfect English, then it's not a big deal. We just assume they weren't born here and learned English. After that we just move on.

[@emilykoi3111]

Yeah in America or at least from my perspective it's considered rude to say "Your English is super good", cause 9 times outta 10 they're actually from America 😅

[@ovechkin100]

In america it really depends what state we're talking about as well.

[@ReneSpeak]

Loved seeing Lisa 13 with you! She's such a telented girl!

[@OrientalPearl]

You're going to love the next video then because she's the main topic!

[@DavidKAnderson]

@@OrientalPearl Oh, that's great to hear! I was glad to see you guys hooked up; she's interesting, along with being really cool and kind. I admire her as a musician (pro guitarist here...), and loved her previous project, Moth In Lilac. Covid19 has delayed the progress of her current band (Bad Baby Bomb) like it has for everyone in this field, but I'm looking forward to seeing them. I may have complimented your language skills and video channel to her. ;)

[@Fif5t0014]

This was a great video. I liked being able to see the different, and more importantly candid, perspectives.

[@ravaelr2093]

Your videos are so inspiring! It’s great to be able to have that kind of insight into other cultures ☺️💞 keep up the hard work!! ✨ lots of love from Canada

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much Canada!!

[@whataboutbob9786]

Grade A clip, excellent content and editing.

[@OrientalPearl]

Glad you enjoyed it! I used my fancy camera and microphone for this one.

[@fancycod7393]

wow , It's accually an interesting topic for language learners , and I like how you cover every thing .

[@amandalowe7457]

I love your videos. They are so informative and helpful!

[@KarlDahlquist]

Thank you for posting another video!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you for watching!

[@maudav100]

Another perspective video 😮 Thank you to bringing this topic!

[@Nikena4e]

In Italy it's the same because tourists usually speaks their language or English, and in Italy we speak very little a foreign language. When we heard a foreigner speaking Italian we say " omg, you are really good" and we kinda fell more comfortable even in speaking English. But we are incline to correct the pronunciation, especially whit food words that were used in everyday English completely wrong. It really drives me crazy😅 I use hello talk to, but I prefer another app with pronunciation exercises because sometimes native speaker can't explain me very well how to use verbs and they don't correct me so often

[@OrientalPearl]

Italy and Japan have his in common! Lol Germans and other Europeans just tell it like it is.

[@mgpatry3274]

As always... GREAT CONTENT/VIDEO!!! 👍 This was fun to watch! Thank you!

[@OrientalPearl]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lancemorrisibe5050]

i find it really cute, it makes foreigners to be not afraid of speak japanese.

[@aburguesiafede3912]

Thank you so much have nice day 🙌

[@stuartclarke3171]

I really enjoy these simple videos of you interacting with friends and strangers. Unlike the stuffy and robotic nature that can come with some language learning programs, you get to hear how ordinary people speak the language naturally. It's only a pity that I really struggle to make sense of unfamiliar words that I hear, so I don't really get to learn much (but I have this problem in my own language when listening to song lyrics, or drunken Scotsmen.)

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! I’m glad you like the unscripted videos!

[@volleyball1553]

This is what I was wondering too! I'm learning Japanese and recently now learning Chinese! Love the video! こんにちは! 你好！

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m glad it answered your questions.

[@erturtemirbaev5207]

Where are you from?

[@volleyball1553]

@@erturtemirbaev5207 I'm from America. I kind of quit Chinese but I sticking to Japanese

[@lynda.grace.14]

Love the new direction of your content. As a Canadian (and we also have to be mindful about erroneous assumptions regarding people's origins), being quite accustomed to many accents and proficiency levels with spoken English I don't worry much about people's sincerity when receiving jozu compliments. First, in my interactions with people who hesitate to speak in English (because it's not perfect), I often tell them their English is very good. Why? I think it's human instinct. They are beginners and need encouragement. Second, without being condescending, I think we need to think of language learners as language toddlers. Do we heap toddlers with scorn because they cannot walk or speak? No. We gush all over their imperfect efforts. Adult language learners are not that different in needing a little gush-love-reward for their attempts. When they become more proficient we dial it back. Which is exactly what the people you interviewed pointed out. The words used and the questions asked change. What's important to understand, however, is that Japanese people will find you more endearing if you recognize your limitations and demur--ie, ie.

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m so glad you like these interview style videos. I think I’m going to gravitate more towards this type of content.

[@rodyinjapan]

Thank you Anming 🙏🏻 always fun hanging out with you 😁

[@OrientalPearl]

Are you rebranding your channel Rody? No more Rody in Japan? lol

[@rodyinjapan]

@@OrientalPearl I guess 🤣 anyways we need to hangout soon 😊

[@Benedict00]

Really good video! Thank you!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks I’m glad you like this format.

[@johnnylingo4686]

Awesome video, thanks.

[@ishigirihayato]

Great video!! Also your language exchange partner at the end seems so cool. I really enjoy his way of speaking Japanese. 😎

[@toriashimoji1658]

Such great authentic content!! Very fun to watch!

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@doxhart4599]

Awesome loved the video

[@sacrinarose]

Great video as always

[@user-yi1zq5lw8y]

良いビデオですね！✨ It definitely gave me more insight to hear people's opinions!👍

[@doubled3082]

And to think I knew this amazing woman at 6,000 subscribers...well I don't really know her but her channel is really cool and entertaining. Great job....Be proud of all your accomplishments.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much Dan! You’ve been here since the beginning.

[@uniotter2662]

The quality of your videos is great. And I especially like the content of this one -- you show an important part of Japanese culture, and it's so illuminating!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! I hope I’m getting better at this.

[@gaganbajwa4331]

U r very intelligent that u learn Japanese🇯🇵 in some time.... After seeing ur videos I also interested in speaking Japanese 🥰... So I hope I also talk in Japanese like u 🥺💕

[@OrientalPearl]

You can do it. Hard work pays off!

[@gaganbajwa4331]

@@OrientalPearl tnx for motivation 💜🤗

[@BookNerd4Music]

ooooooooo Tommy's first video!! i'm doing an oriental pearl binge, and lookie here.

[@OrientalPearl]

You’re right! This was the very first time he was on camera, maybe. Or it might have been the beyblades video

[@Joe-id9yn]

Good tip to know when I go to Japan then. It was really interesting to watch that.Thanks for the video!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for watching!

[@winwinjunhuiandyananfangir4489]

I have been waiting for you to post love you so much hope you are doing well 🥰

[@OrientalPearl]

I have been out filming quite a lot of videos recently. There is a bottle neck going on.

[@landrews7280]

Thank you Anming, this is a very informative video! I think it highlights the need for people learning Japanese to find and talk with native Japanese speakers, or to get a Japanese tutor who can correct mistakes. I am always impressed with how fluently you speak Japanese (and Chinese)!

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s right! It’s not always easy to do, but it’s the best thing to do.

[@landrews7280]

@@OrientalPearl So what would you reply in Japanese to indicate that you know your Japanese is not good, but that you are still studying?

[@user-ed1ce3nf6m]

Muah, much love towards you oriental pearl. This video is very interesting and it help me relax and confident you have to be.👄

[@kennethc3398]

We definitely don't say it unless it's true. My favorite time was when this coworker asked where I learned english. I pointed at the hospital, "I started learning there." "Oh were you a doctor?" "... I was a ... baby"

[@MarissaM312]

Hi Anming. New to your channel but just wanted to say I love your videos and learning about other cultures.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! I hope you subscribed. Please enjoy all 94 videos!

[@dawnmeyer5969]

Great video!

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you!

[@lianneinjapan]

I love the way you edit all the different interviews together to make one cohesive narrative! As someone learning Japanese, I've heard a lot about 日本語上手ですね haha so it was really interesting to see why different people say it, as I was worried it was purely an empty compliment 😅

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! I’m glad you like that style. I think it mixes it up a little and keeps people’s attention more.

[@sowmyashree6849]

❤️Love your videos as always🤗. It is really an interesting topic 😊👍... You being you is the best part ☺️. I love how you come up with unique topics and tell your experience 😊. Be yourself and make more videos for you and others(who participate and watch) to enjoy 😊👍. Lots of love 💕.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! There will be two videos next week. I did a lot of filming recently.

[@sowmyashree6849]

@@OrientalPearl どういたしまして🙏 I'll be eagerly waiting 😊👍...

[@peko7446]

Curious here. Do you dream speaking in Japanese and/or Chinese? I read somewhere that during the course of learning a language, you will start dreaming in that language once you've reached a certain level of competency. Thanks for your videos. They're entertaining and informative. Love your interactions with the locals. Merry Christmas!

[@Papi-power]

Great video

[@neshatimmins2737]

I love your videos you and my son inspired me to learn Spanish.

[@paulk4662]

Another great video Anming. People try to be diplomatic and maybe wouldn’t criticise too much. We are all different.

[@RespectOthers1]

I guess complimenting someone is free and also gives a ‘jiayou’ effect. :D

[@nocchu5035]

It’s honestly a much better way than some people (especially in the US and UK) sometimes react to foreign people trying to speak English. By trying to encourage and compliment them, at least it’s a positive thing rather than something negative which is more likely to motivate someone to learn the language than laughing or making a racial comment. I remember this boy had transferred from China into England (we were about 9 years old) and was trying to learn English, and people would always make fun about his accent. Also happened to a Korean girl I knew in highschool. Also, I absolutely love your channel!!! Your personality is so fun and easy to watch, and always makes me smile :) Helped me get through the hardest parts of lockdown 💗💗💗

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much for the encouragement!

[@1982spqr]

Great video..... keep them coming.

[@OrientalPearl]

More to come very very soon!

[@1982spqr]

@@OrientalPearl good to hear... i don't even learn Japanese but your content is fascinating and inspiring.... I may start to learn some basics but my brain is struggling with a second language already lol.

[@ojikumaa]

Your comments are so good! How long have you been on KZbin?

[@OrientalPearl]

Well asked question! lol

[@brianofmoore]

Hah.. I guess I had never truly seen a majestic walk until now. So thanks for that.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for watching to the very end to catch that scene.

[@rolfts5762]

Super video O.Pearl . Thanks for sharing! Topic was very interesting, and joyful-made by you(as always you are bubbling with enthusiasm and funniness) :-) :-) ..Nevertheless, feel its a nice gesture by a hosting country to say that a visitor speaks good(as an impulsive feedback) :) ..It might be felt as a welcoming statement, possible IceBreaker, encouragement(as pointed out somewhere in video)... ,,,,Love your videos OP, and also the Japanese people and the culture(the small bits I know of). ---Have a nice upcoming week for you and your friends and surroundings ---br,from norway.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks so much! I think most people appreciate the gesture when they are complimented.

[@rolfts5762]

@@OrientalPearl .. :-) ..looking forward to 'the other videos' mentioned/replied on Sowmya's(JapaneseEmiChnl) post ..Thanks again O.P. you are good at vlogging. ,,,No need reply on this one, just take it to heart. //..Remember to sit ergonomically when doing editing-work :) If able to, have both underarms 'resting' horizontally on table when keyboarding/mousing. In case of sometime having only a small table to work/edit on, perhaps a laptop-raiser could be a good solution (making room for keyboard/mouse underneath)

[@JezzmanGAMES]

A lot of them are probably just being nice or motivational. And some probably genuinely mean it. All depends on your own Nihongo-levels, of course. :) But I think you could tell the difference after a while, after having talked to many Japanese people. It's just something I'll have to make out for myself, once I get there. If you do a jikoshoukai VS having an actual conversation, I think stuff like that makes a lot of difference.

[@OrientalPearl]

I wish you the best of luck with your Japanese studies.

[@JezzmanGAMES]

@@OrientalPearl 本当にありがとうございます！🙏

[@whushaw]

It’s good to know there’s a point when you can tell you’re getting better by the different type of compliment you receive.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for coming back again!

[@moonchildyoushine2486]

I did it, I made the leap to subscribe. I keep coming back to your videos they are structured very well. You make it sort of relaxed. I am punishing myself a bit because I'm learning Korean so this doesn't help with learning. I really enjoy your videos though 감사합니다(thank you).

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you so much for subscribing! I want to learn Korean too.

[@thelifeofmatt0306]

Great video! Ni-kagetsukan, nihongo o benkyo shite kimashita. I’m still too new to understand the kanji or hiragana. I love everything about Japan; especially the people! I hope they correct me when I make a mistake, because I’m sure I’ll make a ton of them.

[@renro4435]

So true!!! When I was like 20, a group of Japan tourists came to visit us to a volunteering program and, my silly 20-year-old person that time, repeated a phrase I had learned while watching anime to introduce myself.... They all reacted as if I was really good at Japanese and complimented me a lot... after some years I came to realize that I wasn't good at all, they just said that because of trying to speak their language and the interest on their culture... Well, that was it! hahaha I felt so related to your vid xD Thanks!

[@J2M2Og]

Thanks for the video - I enjoy your "slice of life/POV" type videos. I'm in the USA. My job is on the phone and I often speak to people who were born elsewhere so English is at least a second language for them. Almost every time, these callers speak nearly flawless English and apologize for their poor language skills. I have flat out told a few of them that their English is better than many people I speak with who were born and raised in the USA. I would imagine that sufficient Japanese knowledge/fluency/confidence might produce a similar result.

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m glad you like this topic. I have a few more ideas for videos like this.

[@laurah8109]

It makes sense to say it's good as encouragement to someone learning. I would probably understand it to mean they're happy I'm interested and trying to learn. Turned around, I would probably do the same thing because I would be excited someone from another country is working hard to learn my language.

[@MasterAkiDraw]

The two guys are adorable! LOL That one guy's dance at the end is like cherry on top!! XD

[@OrientalPearl]

I’m glad you watched to the very end to catch that gem.

[@Skater21Loverboyz]

I've been to France - I made a new friend and it's like we had a mutual non verbal agreement that I couldn't speak French well and she couldn't speak English well. We'd compliment and encourage each other every so often, but we would also laugh together at our pronunciation. (It depends on the person, people can feel embarrassed or hurt by laughter when trying different languages!) Regarding languages from Asia ~ Vietnamese. I am half Vietnamese and so I try my best to speak it as often as I can. I know for a fact that my pronunciations are off -- I can't pronounce the accents (practically non existent). But when I go to the Vietnamese market, order food at a Vietnamese restaurant, or speak to strangers... They would often say, "Oh, you speak well. You know Vietnamese? How? Is your mom or dad Vietnamese...?" and they would engage with me in a small talk convo to keep practicing my Vietnamese. I think it's really nice to hear the compliment even if they don't truly mean it because it gives me confidence to continue speaking and practicing out loud.

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s good that you encouraged each other.

[@alyssag9836]

The entire time I was watching this I was thinking of "HelloTalk" but I couldn't remember the name haha I finally remembered went to comment on this video and it was in your pinned comment the entire time haha

[@ornella9931]

😊😊😊😊😊😊 Interesting Love you from Italy

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you Italy!

[@user-pm6hb2ql9z]

今回も興味深い題材です素晴らしい。お世辞なしです。

[@OrientalPearl]

ありがとうございます😊

[@palmsky1119]

Isn't it much better just to say it's ok, just needs to keep practicing? More constructive and helpful. If it's terrible then it's "you need to keep practicing". I do agree with the effort part, love people that are making the effort to learn. I guess i get it though, you don't want to make the other person feel bad or discouraged. I think now that I've said all this, if i was in that situation i would probably say "oh wow it's good that you are learning, i hope you keep at it" or something along those lines.

[@KathyakaNina]

That's a good question to ask and getting the perspective from Natives & foreigners. I would personally like to be given good feedback on my language learning even if I make a mistake. Specificallylearning a foreignlanguage I want to know if I said it correctly than say the woring meaning you know. The effort shown is heard & its understandable for Japanese to say that just to be genuine or nice.

[@shigetty]

As you know, we Japanese are so bad at English in general, thus we praise people who are fluent in English. The fluent means one can speak more than “How are you? I’m fine, thank you. And you?” with a foreigner. For example, if one give directions to foreign tourists in English, definitely he or she will be a hero. “Your English is good” often happens among Japanese people. Just like that, we praise foreigners who can speak some Japanese. Like some guys said in the video, if your Japanese is really good, we will ask you how long you have lived in Japan or how long you have studied Japanese.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[@jimross7648]

Well, this tells me how bad my Japanese really is because I think only one person ever told me my Nihongo was good. I knew it wasn't, so polite was was that individuals response. The rest just tried to not cringe.

[@mnic86]

A great video! An interesting insight into what Japanese people think when complimenting a foreigners Japanese 👍👍😊😊

[@ilhana1879]

I've noticed I don't see your videos when you upload them. I follow you on insta where I usually see your KZbin video updates. It's super weird! But I absolutely love your content

[@OrientalPearl]

Did you turn the notification button on? Only 10% of subscribers have it enabled.

[@MarkusKiili]

Yet another thing that is similar in Finland and Japan. We also say you are speaking Finnish well, when we notice that someone has studied Finnish so much that they can have some kind of conversation. When they speak good Finnish we don't mention it any more. The complement is mostly becouse, it's nice that someone is studying our language. If think it's the same with Japanese.

[@nicolebeukelnielsen1625]

I think it's the same in Denmark where I come from actually. But maybe when you talk a little danish we wouldn't say that you're good but just think that When you talk fluently danish then we wouldn't compliment you. Thanks for this video. It made me think about some stuff of how we complement each other here in my country and maybe we should change it a little hehe But for my Japanese friends, I'm sorry for them because danish is soooo hard to learn.. god bless them. - I would always think that they are cool just because they even started learning danish and complement them and mean it!! :-D

[@OrientalPearl]

That's interesting. I had a feeling it was like that in Europe.

[@SimonDuffy2]

I have helped Spanish friends learn English and found that it's not that you shouldn't correct them when they speak, but it depends on the context of the conversation. I always look at it as two friends talking and in that case its a matter of ignoring small mistakes or correcting the odd phrase by correct repetition, so as not to break the flow. I only tend to go into grammar etc. when they specifically ask. I quickly tired of people who just corrected every Spanish mistake I made (and I still do make a lot). Its also good to remember that unless you make a massive mistake, native speakers are so good with their own language that they still understand what you are saying no matter how much of a hatchet job you make of communicating.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for your insight.

[@japanorbust]

It's true, and even within native speakers in my country there is so much slang, dialect, and different degrees of error it's kind of hard to correct people over slight things when you understand what they mean. I'm an American and I have some British family, and even within different forms of English sometimes things sound so strange because they aren't what I learned here, so it's not as if once you know a language there will never be any confusion between people who speak it. The first time I heard someone mention "the car park" my head filled with many strange visions of what a car park would be like before I realized it meant a parking lot. Hahaha. I would only correct people's minor mistakes if they expressed an interest in sounding native or really perfecting their professional and business level English. I have a lot of ESL friends and I tend to only correct them when they say something that doesn't mean what they intended or say something really confusing or that would be rude to most people in English.

[@robingarcia1226]

I think when that said "日本語上手ですね" is not a true is not a lie neither, is just a compliment for making the effort to speak their language.

[@nahshondevose4610]

facts it’s motivation as a foreigner to keep getting better

[@kolbymiller3173]

I would believe this would be a compliment for every country. I could be wrong though. I do feel bad for the people who try to speak English due to the fact that it’s hard and even the fact that some countries have different variants of english words. Like a torch is something to light up a cave, but this could be a trunk in other countries. I bet as long as your trying your hardest, the receiver of the conversation is noticing that you’re trying in any language

[@michaellk2254]

4:38 big ups to the guy on the left with the boiler room shirt 👌💪. With the culture

[@rodyinjapan]

日本語上手ですね/Your Japanese is so good🤣 Biggest Cap phrase in Japan. 🤣

[@Faizjanjua18]

Just being nice... Japanese people got the best norms in the world. Respect the ultimate.

[@Language_Fusion]

Oriental Pearl i think they show admiration for your eagerness for learning this hard language as myself i noticed in japanese i am just beginner in it but i am so experienced in learning that kind of language Arabic for instance its really really hard one abd i am native in it anyways i love cultures a lot that's why i love your channel contents 😇😇😇😇

[@OrientalPearl]

Wow, Arabic must be incredibly hard

[@Language_Fusion]

@@OrientalPearl yes totally hard especially in speaking and has many accents but i believe in this saying with any language (practice makes perfect)as you surely know 🥰🥰

[@FritsvanDoorn]

In my experience, here in the Netherlands, we say that people speak good dutch is to encourage them. You can here that from our intonation and entusiasm (???). It is a honor when people take the effort to speak a bit of dutch. And really, you make very good videos. They are good because the subject is a recurring chain of the same words. That gives a listener a lot of practise. I recognised many many words this time and sometimes even complete sentences. What do you think of my english? Can you tell it is not my first language? Thank you. Looking forward to your next video!

[@OrientalPearl]

People in the Netherlands have amazing English. They are one of the best in the EU.

[@FritsvanDoorn]

@@OrientalPearl Domo arigato gozaimasu. Watashi no tomodachi desu. :) :)

[@niku5320]

I superduper love ur contents :) hehehe hope to meet you soon!

[@KelseyBDJ]

A new video! Yay!

[@OrientalPearl]

There will be two more this week.

[@KelseyBDJ]

@@OrientalPearl stop spoiling us!

[@ceaserleyva7546]

I had always just assumed it was just them saying like "you get an A for effort" rather than a "genuine" compliment.

[@ulver1187]

At least it's still better than "man you suck you should stop learning right now". It's also like a future compliment "if you keep this up, you'll be great!" Either way it can still be genuine right?

[@KarlHeinzofWpg]

In my limited experience a real compliment in Japan is rarely (if ever) verbal. Being given a responsibility is a real compliment, especially if failing at this responsibility would embarrass the person who gave it to you. If they tell you your Japanese is amazing but never leave you alone with the students, take it for what it is (a rebuke). But if your sensei says "wake me up before we reach the train station", well you've just been given a compliment (which you must never embarrassingly acknowledge of course).

[@gilbertombp]

I think just making an effort to speak Japanese is really appreciated, more than the actual output. From my personal experience, the best reaction I've gotten is, "あ、勉強しました。" . Personally, I would just take the compliments at face value, and try not to read too much into it. I also would not expect Japanese to give feedback readily, and that we have to consciously listen to and hear ourselves into "comfort" with the language.

[@DanielDugovic]

2:56 Brilliant!

[@tylerm124]

Lisa's style is soo cool.

[@amandamckinney6331]

I ran into a psychology professor in a library in South Korea when I lived there who approached me because I was obviously a foreigner but I was holding a psychology book and reading it and he was shocked for two reasons... 1 it was written in Korean and 2 it was Korean based psychology... we ended up having coffee and he helped me with some of my Korean and I had to embarrassingly admit when he first appeared that some of the book was actually in English and that was what I was reading lol... a lot of people don't want to discourage you by correcting your mistakes in language on the daily but if you actually ask for help they will usually be happy to help you learn the correct words, pronunciation, grammar, etc...

[@its_EZ]

well, you can always hit them with the reverse uno card: 英語上手ですねぇぇぇぇ。。。

[@OrientalPearl]

That’s exactly right!

[@tkyap2524]

As long as the two parties understand each other, there is communication. No prize for speaking good Japanese.

[@michaellynch5254]

I like your video. This video is really good.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thank you very much!

[@michaellynch5254]

@@OrientalPearl So I really do like your videos, but I was just being silly kind of like how the Japanese say your English is really good I was saying your video is really good. I was wondering if you were going to pick up on the sarcasm. Your videos are really fascinating because I love the Japanese culture.

[@ZA-ts2vc]

Yet another great video thanks Anming! I can't speak for all of Canada, but for me and from what I've seen around me, if there is someone who speaks English really well we just assume that person is born here. But if there is someone who has a thick accent and is kind of struggling with their English, we do tend to compliment them and tell them their English is really good. So I don't think its really strange that Japanese people do this.

[@OrientalPearl]

Canadians are nicer than Americans lol

[@ZA-ts2vc]

@@OrientalPearl Lol I think it depends on a person to person basis! I'm sure there are some very kind Americans out there lol Thank you for the awesome and inspirational content!

[@Antbeast23]

Wow I met emi on hello talk and had her said hi to you for me lol

[@OrientalPearl]

What a coincidence!

[@japondecorazon992]

"El conocimiento es una llave que abre muchas puertas" (macs). Gracias por el video. T= "Knowledge is a key that opens many doors" (macs). Thank you for the video. GT= どうもありがとう。

[@Nabium]

In countries with immigration we don't compliment language skills because it's seen as very rude, except in particular situations were we are genuinely impressed. I remember there was a Kurdish girl in our class which came to Norway less than a year before she started in our class, but already spoke fluent Norwegian, and everyone would compliment her. But she was a special case, we genuinely were impressed. How-ever, if an immigrant had come to Norway say 60 years ago we would be impressed by them only knowing a word or two. It was something new and exciting. When Luis Armstrong came to Oslo, people would line up just because they had never seen a black person before. How things have changed. But when I went to Asia I have to say I got similar experiences. I was in rural Thailand for almost half a year and people would be surprised and stare at me, say "foreigner" behind me back when I walked past them on the street, or be very eager to say hello to me. I felt like a celebrity or something, and word of mouth would go around and everyone suddenly knew my name even though I barely told anyone. Young kids would want to hold their arm next to my arm to compare skin colour. Strangers would invite me for a beer. They would use the only English words and phrases they knew, like school girls shouting "I love you" or "marry me" at me. That was a complete shock to me, but now I realise it was just because that's probably the only thing they knew, they were just having some fun. And then if I learned one or two words apart from hello they would all become seemingly filled with joy and surprise that I knew them. Imagine if someone had acted like that in Norway. Stared at people with a different skin colour, hold out your arm to compare the skin colour, say they were good at Norwegian for knowing a word or two, or invite someone for a beer just because they were n't ethnic Norwegian. All of that would be extremely rude or condescending. It's all about how much immigration is normal.

[@OrientalPearl]

Thanks for your insightful comment into this compliment issue. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. Celebrity! Lol I liked that.

[@intersanctum]

That's the case all over the world. People don't want to be rude, and they will tell you all sorts of lies to encourage you.