جی
jīpolite
In Pakistan "yes" in Urdu is جی (jī) when speaking politely and ہاں (hāṉ) with friends and family. جی ہاں (jī hāṉ) is a clear, formal "yes indeed".
Meaning: affirmative answer (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| جی | jī | polite |
| ہاں | hāṉ | casual |
| جی ہاں | jī hāṉ | firm, formal |
جی (jī) also works as "yes?" when you answer someone who calls you, and it shows respect to elders. A child who says only ہاں (hāṉ) to an elder can sound rude.
Which one should you use?
Because جی (jī) is respectful, it turns up often in conversations with customers and teachers. جی نہیں (jī nahīṉ) is the matching polite "no".
Did you know?
- The respectful جی (jī) is also added to names and titles, as in ابو جی (abbū jī), which makes the address warmer.
Examples in context
- جی، میں آ رہا ہوں۔jī, maiṉ ā rahā hūṉ.Yes, I am coming.
- ہاں، مجھے یاد ہے۔hāṉ, mujhe yād hai.Yes, I remember.
- جی ہاں، یہ ٹھیک ہے۔jī hāṉ, yeh ṭhīk hai.Yes indeed, that is right.
Example conversation
Teacher Mrs. Shaheen takes attendance and student Bushra answers in class.
- Shaheenبشریٰ، آپ آج آئی ہیں؟Bushrā, āp āj āī haiṉ?Bushra, you came today?
- Bushraجی، میڈم۔jī, medam.Yes, madam.
- Shaheenٹھیک ہے، بیٹھ جائیں۔ṭhīk hai, baiṭh jāeṉ.Fine, please sit.
