Aizuchi…


[…]


In the Japanese language, aizuchi
(Japanese: 相槌 or あいづち, IPA: (aizɯtɕi))
are interjections during a conversation
that indicate the listener is paying attention
or understands the speaker (backchanneling).

[…]

Common aizuchi include:

hai (はい), ee (ええ), or un
(うん; "yes", with varying degrees of formality)
sō desu ne (そうですね; "I see")
sō desu ka (そうですか; "is that so?", "really?")
hontō (本当), hontō ni (本当に), maji (マジ),
or (in Kansai) honma (本真; "really?")
naruhodo (なるほど; "I see", "that's right")
nodding – These have a similar function to English
"yeah", "yup", "OK", "really?", "uh-huh", "oh", and so on.

Aizuchi are frequently misinterpreted
by non-native speakers
as the listener showing
agreement and approval.

[…]

… especially with hai (はい; "yes"),
when the native Japanese speaker meant
only that they follow
or understand the suggestions
– "got it", not "agreed".


[…]


Aizuchi can also take the form
of so-called echo questions,
which consist of a noun plus desu ka (ですか).

[…]