What does it mean word for word?
The core of the phrase is 賛成 (sansei), which literally means 'being in favor', 'approval' or 'agreement'.
Which one should you use?
While はい、賛成です focuses on being in favor of a specific proposal, other formal variations exist: はい、同感です can be used to say 'Yes, I agree' and はい、そのとおりです can also mean 'Yes, I agree'. For total agreement in a casual setting, you might use まったくだね to mean 'Yeah, totally agree'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
はい、賛成です is a polite way to agree. In formal situations, you can also use はい、同感です or はい、そのとおりです. In informal settings, such as when talking to friends, you can say うん、そうだね for 'Yeah, I agree', ああ、いいよ for 'Yeah, sounds good' or まったくだね for 'Yeah, totally agree'. You can also make the phrase more casual by dropping はい and です and using the particle だよ instead, resulting in 賛成だよ.
How do you pronounce it?
hai, sansei desu
Did you know?
- While はい (hai) is translated as 'yes', it often functions as a 'listener's signal' to show you are paying attention rather than agreeing with the content. A person might say はい repeatedly during a conversation without actually agreeing with the proposal.
- To express total agreement, the phrase まったくだね (mattaku da ne) uses a word that usually means 'completely' or 'entirely'. In other contexts, まったく can be used to express disbelief or a sigh of exasperation.
- In many Japanese social contexts, expressing 'agreement' too forcefully or too quickly can sometimes be seen as being overly eager or even insincere. A slight pause before saying はい、賛成です can convey a more thoughtful and respectful endorsement.
Examples in context
- はい、賛成です。Hai, sansei desu.Yes, I agree.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are discussing a project idea at work.
- 美咲 Misakiこのプロジェクトを進めたいのですが、健太さんはどう思いますか？Kono purojekuto o susumetai no desu ga, Kenta-san wa dou omoimasu ka?I want to proceed with this project, what do you think, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaはい、賛成です。とても良いアイデアだと思います。Hai, sansei desu. Totemo yoi aidea da to omoimasu.Yes, I agree. I think it is a very good idea.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。そう言ってもらえて嬉しいです。Arigatou gozaimasu. Sou itte moraete ureshii desu.Thank you. I am happy to hear you say that.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんの提案は素晴らしいです。Misaki-san no teian wa subarashii desu.Misaki's proposal is wonderful.
