Japanese word

はい

Pronunciation

Romajihai

Meaning

  • interjectionyes

Example

先生：これは本ですか。学生：はい、そうです。sen sei ko re wa hon de su ka gaku sei ha i sō de su

Teacher: Is this a book? Student: Yes, it is.

Illustration for はい (yes)

More examples

試食を勧められて、はい、お願いします。shi shoku o susu me ra re te ha i o nega i shi ma su

When I am offered a sample, I say, "Yes, please."

Core concept

はい (hai) marks an affirmative response that accepts a question, statement, or request.

Common phrases

  • はい、お願いしますha i o nega i shi ma su

    yes, please

  • はい、どうぞha i dō zo

    yes, here you are

Similar words

ええē: An affirmative response used in polite conversation and often spoken in a gentle tone.
うんun: An informal affirmative response used with friends, family, or close acquaintances.
ああā: An informal response that acknowledges or agrees with what was said.

Definition in Japanese

問いかけや相手の発言に対して、肯定・同意・承諾を示す語。to i ka ke ya ai te no hatsu gen ni tai shi te kō tei dō i shō daku o shime su go

Word origin

はい (hai) is a native Japanese interjection, but the exact origin of its affirmative use is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • When answering a phone call, Japanese speakers may begin with はい (hai), which acknowledges the caller before the conversation continues.

Other meanings

  • that's rightinterjection

Opposites

Word lists with this word