「あなたが言いたいこと分かりました。」

[overdrive]

「あなたが言いたいこと分かりました。」

I just noticed that I don't think anyone who has ever said this to me actually knew what I was trying ("wanting," in Japanese) to say.
Not once. And it's always used by dominant males.
It has me wondering if, as an expression, it's meant literally, or if it's just a polite way to say "Yes, yes. Thank you. Now shut up."

[Kantodude]

it's meant literally, or if it's just a polite way to say "Yes, yes. Thank you. Now shut up."

Not being a native speaker I would hazard a quess that it is a non polite why of saying:

"shut the fuck up"

I have never heard this expression used outside of an argument with an aggressive person.

[Bairen]

It means that they understand what you are saying, but don't agree. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are telling you to shut the fuck up, but it could, depending on the situation/tone.

I actually used a form of it with my shacho a couple of months back when he was telling us our bonuses were getting cut by 1% even though we are running in the black, because the group as a whole isn't doing so well.
'Bairen-san, 話しは少し難しいかもしれません。。。'
'話しは分かります。'

I wasn't impressed to say the least.

[Kantodude]

but it could, depending on the situation/tone.

Exactly, for me though as I said I have only ever heard this used in this situation. At work or in general social situations I have not heard this used.

[sakaya_slag]

Another nice one:

気持ちが分かるけど...I'm still going to fuck you up the arse anyway.

[KinkiDude]

Why are you guys talking about this like it's unique to Japanese? It's certainly not.
"I hear what you're saying, but..."
"I understand how you feel, but..."
In either language, the person most likely doesn't really get what you're really saying, not gives a shit. LOL (Especially since this has been dispensed as advice for good 'communication skills' to do that.)

[overdrive]

Maybe I missed a memo or something, but I usually mean it when I say those things in English.

[Kantodude]

Why are you guys talking about this like it's unique to Japanese? It's certainly not.

I do not think that any of us think that it is unique to Japanese we are just trying to understand how it is used.

[KinkiDude]

Maybe I missed a memo or something, but I usually mean it when I say those things in English.

Sorry. What I was trying to say is that this line has been taught to everyone in so many "how to communicate effectively" articles, it's ubiquitous. I think a lot of people do use it mainly as a "yes, yes, now STFU" rather than really looking at it from the speaker's POV. People in general tend to see only what they want to see. Everyone? No. Most? Yes.

I thought that your decision to title the thread in Japanese implied a specific-to-Japan thing. Perhaps I assumed too much.

[sakaya_slag]

Sorry. What I was trying to say is that this line has been taught to everyone in so many "how to communicate effectively" articles, it's ubiquitous.

I had an entire term of this at university. It should be renamed to "how to communicate diplomatically while you fuck someone over". There is some useful stuff if you look for it, but much of it seems a little devious or plain silly. You should see the length of the sentences they suggest you use!

Surely "effective" and clear communication would get to the point in a polite but fairly straight manner.