جی ہاں
ji haanformal, respectful
The polite way to say yes in Urdu is جی ہاں (ji haan). Among friends and family you can say just ہاں (haan), and a short جی (ji) is a respectful yes.
Meaning: affirmative answer (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| جی ہاں | ji haan | formal, respectful |
| ہاں | haan | casual |
| جی | ji | polite, short |
جی ہاں (ji haan) fits elders, teachers, guests and anyone you want to show respect to. ہاں (haan) is for peers and children.
Which one should you use?
جی (ji) can also mean "yes, I am listening" when someone calls your name, so it is more than a plain yes. The negative pair is جی نہیں (ji nahin) for "no, thank you" and نہیں (nahin) for casual "no".
How do you pronounce it?
ہاں (haan) has a nasal long vowel, close to "haan" with the "n" only lightly sounded.
Did you know?
- In Urdu جی (ji) is also added to names and titles as a sign of respect, as in امی جی (ammi ji).
Examples in context
- جی ہاں، میں آ رہا ہوں۔ji haan, main aa raha hoon.Yes, I am coming.
- ہاں، ٹھیک ہے۔haan, theek hai.Yes, that is fine.
- جی، بتائیے۔ji, bataiye.Yes, please tell me.
Example conversation
Teacher Mrs. Farooq checks attendance and a student named Sara answers.
- Mrs. Farooqسارا، کیا آپ نے کام کر لیا؟Sara, kya aap ne kaam kar liya?Sara, did you finish the work?
- سارہ Saraجی ہاں، میڈم۔ji haan, madam.Yes, madam.
- سارہ Saraہاں، کاپی میرے بیگ میں ہے۔haan, copy mere bag mein hai.Yes, the notebook is in my bag.
