はい、そうです
hai, sou desu
The English phrase "yes, I do" is expressed in Japanese as はい、そうです (hai, sou desu).
はい、そうです is a polite way to answer yes to a question regarding a fact or a state of being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "yes, it is so."
Which one should you use?
While はい、そうです is used to confirm a state or fact, it is distinct from はい、します, which would be used to say "Yes, I will do (an action)."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase はい、そうです is polite. For an informal version, you can use うん、そうだよ.
How do you pronounce it?
hai, sou desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often attempt to translate "I do" literally using the verb for "to do", but when confirming a fact or state, you must use はい、そうです.
Did you know?
- If a person asks a question with a negative predicate, such as 'Is it not the case?', answering with はい actually means 'Yes, it is not'.
- Japanese culture places a high value on 'reading the air', so a hesitant はい… with a trailing voice often functions as a polite 'no'. The listener is expected to understand the refusal through the tone rather than the word.
- The word はい is derived from an ancient exclamation used to call for attention or signify a start. Over centuries, it evolved into the standard polite affirmative used in daily life.
Examples in context
- A: これはあなたの本ですか？ B: はい、そうです。A: Kore wa anata no hon desu ka? B: Hai, sou desu.A: Is this your book? B: Yes, it is.
Example conversation
Yuta and Yui are checking the office schedule.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さん、会議は午後からですか？Youta-san, kaigi wa gogo kara desu ka?Yuta, is the meeting from the afternoon?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、そうです。Hai, sou desu.Yes, that is right.
- 結衣 Yui準備はもう終わりましたか？Junbi wa mou owarimashita ka?Is the preparation finished already?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、全部終わっています。Hai, zenbu owatte imasu.Yes, it is all finished.
