JLPT N4 Speaking: Reporting What Someone Said

Understanding the Task

One common JLPT N4 speaking task is to report what someone said. This isn’t just a simple retelling; you need to accurately convey the information while using specific phrases and structures that show you’re reporting it. It often involves a short conversation, and your role is to summarize what was said after it ends.

Key Phrases & Structures

Here are some essential phrases you’ll use:

• 「〜と言っていました。」 (～to i mottemita.) – “He/She said…” This is your core phrase.
• 「〜とのことです。」 (～to no koto desu.) – “It was said that…” More formal than “～to i mottemita.”
• 「〜のようでした。」 (～no you deshita.) – “Apparently…” Indicates a less certain report.
• 「〜を話しました。」(～o hanashimashita) – “He/She talked about…” Useful if the original statement was more of a discussion than a concise sentence.

Let’s break down an example:

Scenario: A student (A) tells a teacher (B) that they couldn’t finish their homework because they were busy.

A: 宿題が終われません。とても忙しかったんです。(Shuudai ga okitemasen. Totemo isogashikatta n desu.) – “I couldn’t finish my homework. I was very busy.”

Your report (as the teacher, B): 彼は宿題が終われないと言っていました。とても忙しかったとのことです。(Kare wa shuudai ga okine nai to i mottemita. Totemo isogashikatta no koto desu.) – “He said he couldn’t finish his homework. It was said that he was very busy.”

Vocabulary & Common Topics

Here’s some relevant vocabulary for situations involving reporting what someone said:

• 忙しい (isogashii) – Busy
• 遅かった (okikatta) – Late
• 困っていた (komotte ita) – Troubled, having a problem
• 心配していた (shinpai shite ita) – Worried

Common Mistakes & Corrections

Here are some common mistakes beginners make and how to correct them:

• Mistake: “彼が言ったのは宿題ができないことでした。” (Kare ga itta no wa shuudai ga dekinai koto deshita.) – “What he said was that he couldn’t do his homework.” This is grammatically correct, but sounds too formal and stilted for N4.

Correction: “彼は宿題ができないと言っていました。” (Kare wa shuudai ga dekinai to i mottemita.) – “He said he couldn’t do his homework.” Simpler and more natural.

• Mistake: Using “～だと” (～da to) incorrectly when reporting. This often leads to awkward phrasing.

Correction: Always stick with “～to i mottemita” or similar structures where appropriate.

Putting it All Together – Example Dialogue

Scenario: You overhear a conversation between two friends, Hana and Kenji.

Hana: 映画を予約できなかったんだ。今日が休みなかったから。(Eiga o yoyaku dekakatta n da. Kyou ga yuuka nakatta kara.) – “I couldn’t book the movie. Because today was a weekday.”

Kenji: そうなんだね。(Sou nan da ne) – “Oh really?”

Your Report (as a bystander): はなさんは映画を予約できなかったと言っていました。今日が休みなかったとのことです。(Hana-san wa eiga o yoyaku dekakattai to i mottemita. Kyou ga yuuka nakatta no koto desu.) – “Hana said she couldn’t book the movie. It was said that today was a weekday.”

Practice Tips

• Listen carefully to the original dialogue.
• Identify the key information.
• Choose the most appropriate reporting phrase (～to i mottemita is a good starting point).
• Focus on accuracy and clarity rather than trying to sound overly complex.