The Polite 'Cross-Examination': When Your Boss Uses '〜と言いますと？' to Test You

Hello everyone. For fellow warriors like me who have lived and worked in Japan for over 10 years, I'm sure you've been in this situation at least once.

You're in an important meeting. You confidently present your idea: 「この業務の効率を改善すべきだと思います。」 (I think we should improve the efficiency of this task.)

Your boss, who has been listening silently, suddenly looks directly at you, tilts their head slightly, and asks in a very calm tone:

「効率を改善する、と言いますと？」 (Kōritsu o kaizen suru, to iimasu to?)

In that moment, does your heart skip a beat? 😅 The entire room seems to fall silent, all eyes on you. You suddenly realize your statement was too vague, and your boss is waiting for a concrete answer.

This is not a simple question. This is a subtle and sophisticated "test." Welcome to the art of polite cross-examination with 「〜と言いますと？」, a communication weapon highly favored by seasoned professionals in Japan.

---

🧐 What Does「〜と言いますと？」Really Mean?

If you translate it word-for-word, it's something like, "If you say that, then...?" But its practical meaning is far more pointed:

• "Could you please clarify what you mean by [the phrase you just used]?"
• "Be more specific. Stop speaking in generalities."
• "I heard you, but I'm not convinced because it's too abstract. Give me concrete proof."

It is a polite yet firm demand that forces the speaker to elaborate on their own point. It implicitly points out: "There's a hole in your argument, and I've just spotted it."

🆚 Why Not Just Say「どういう意味ですか？」

This is where Japanese subtlety shines. Let's compare:

• 「どういう意味ですか？」(Dou iu imi desu ka? - What do you mean?): This is quite direct and can sound confrontational. In a business setting, it can be interpreted as "I have no idea what you're talking about" or, worse, "What you're saying makes no sense." It can easily create friction. 💥

• 「詳しく教えてください。」(Kuwashiku oshiete kudasai. - Please explain in detail.): This phrase has a positive nuance. It shows that you are genuinely interested in the topic and want to learn more. It's a collaborative question. 👍

• 「〜と言いますと？」(To iimasu to?): This is the master-level move. It doesn't attack the speaker; it attacks the very phrase they just used. By quoting the speaker's own words (「効率を改善する」) and adding と言いますと？, you are placing that phrase under a microscope and demanding they dissect it. It's polite, yet it creates immense invisible pressure. It's a strategic move in communication. ♟️

---

🎭 Classic Real-Life Scenarios

To better feel its power, let's look at a few examples:

Scenario 1: The High-Stakes Business Meeting 🧠

• You: 「この新企画で、若者層の顧客を取り込みたいと考えています。」 (With this new project, I want to capture the young customer segment.)
• Boss: 「若者層、と言いますと？具体的に何歳から何歳までをターゲットにしているんですか。」 (The young customer segment, could you elaborate? Specifically, what age range are we targeting?)

Analysis: Your boss is cornering you. "Young customers" is too broad. Does it mean 18-year-olds? Or 25-year-olds? The approach for these two groups is completely different. The boss is testing whether you have thoroughly thought through your target audience.

Scenario 2: When a Colleague Makes a Vague Complaint 😒

• Colleague: 「最近、うちのチームの連携がうまくいってない気がする。」 (Lately, I feel like the coordination in our team isn't going well.)
• You: 「連携がうまくいってない、と言いますと？」 (Not going well, what do you mean by that?)

Analysis: Instead of chiming in with the complaint, you use this phrase to demand specificity. Where is the coordination failing? Who is involved? What is the specific problem? This question shuts down vague whining and steers the conversation toward finding a real solution.

Scenario 3: Calling Out the Sales Pitch 💼

• Salesperson: 「このシステムを導入すれば、コストを大幅に削減できます。」 (If you implement this system, you can drastically reduce costs.)
• You (The Client): 「大幅に、と言いますと？年間で、およそ何円くらいの削減を見込んでいるのでしょうか。」 (Drastically, could you be more specific? Approximately how much in yen do you estimate we can save annually?)

Analysis: This is a classic counter-attack. You are cutting through the empty marketing buzzwords ("drastic," "superior," "optimal"...) and demanding concrete numbers. You are showing that you are a savvy client who won't be swayed by empty promises.

---

🏆 How to Survive a「〜と言いますと？」

If you're on the receiving end of this question, don't panic! See it as an opportunity to demonstrate your competence.

1. Take a deep breath. 🧘‍♂️
2. Absolutely do not give another general answer. This is a fatal trap.
   • ❌ Wrong: 「えーっと、つまり、コストが安くなるということです…」 (Uhm, well... it means the cost will become cheaper...)
3. Provide numbers, data, or specific actions. This is the only thing they want to hear.
   • ✅ Right: 「はい。具体的には、現在〇〇にかかっている人件費を月50万円、そして△△の印刷費用を月10万円、合わせて月60万円の削減を見込んでおります。」 (Yes. Specifically, we estimate a reduction of 500,000 yen per month in personnel costs for task 〇〇, and 100,000 yen per month for printing costs for △△. That is a total of 600,000 yen per month.)

A response like this not only gets you out of a tight spot but also scores you major points with your boss. 💯

Conclusion

「〜と言いますと？」 is not just a question for seeking information; it's a tool for filtering thought. It separates vague ideas from actionable plans.

When you use it, you show that you are an attentive and critical listener who demands clarity. And when you hear it, take it as a reminder: Always be prepared with specifics.

Get into the habit of asking yourself this question before every meeting. You will find that your logical reasoning and communication skills in Japan will reach a whole new level.