はい
haistandard, roll call
In a Japanese class, a student answers the roll call with はい (hai). If you want to say that you are attending, use 出席しています (shusseki shite imasu). It is also called 来ています (kite imasu).
Meaning: answering at roll call (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| はい | hai | standard, roll call |
| 出席しています | shusseki shite imasu | formal, I am attending |
| 来ています | kite imasu | plain, I am here |
The teacher reads out names and each student answers はい (hai) when called. The word 出席 (shusseki) means attendance and the word for absence is 欠席 (kesseki).
What mistakes should you avoid?
The word プレゼント (purezento) means a gift, so it is not what you say at roll call. The English "present" for attendance has no matching word, so students simply say はい (hai).
Did you know?
- In a Japanese classroom, students often answer their name with a clear, loud はい (hai) while raising a hand.
Examples in context
- はい、出席しています。Hai, shusseki shite imasu.Yes, I am present.
- 今日は全員来ています。Kyō wa zen-in kite imasu.Everyone is here today.
Example conversation
Teacher Ms. Hara takes attendance and calls Daiki.
- Ms. Hara田中大樹くん。Tanaka Daiki-kun.Daiki Tanaka.
- Daikiはい！Hai!Present!
- Ms. Hara元気ですね。Genki desu ne.You sound lively.
