Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| はい | hai | [ha̠i] (narrow) | polite |
| ええ | ē | [e̞ː] (narrow) | |
| うん | un | /m̩/ | informal |
The terms used for 'yes' in Japanese function as particles to indicate agreement or acceptance. While はい is a common and widely used formal way to say yes, other forms like うん are used in informal contexts.
Which one should you use?
はい is the standard polite way to say yes. ええ is a slightly more conversational and softer polite form than はい, often used to show agreement during a discussion. うん is an informal way of saying yes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
はい is a polite form suitable for use with teachers, bosses or strangers. ええ is also a polite form but is more conversational in tone. うん is informal and archaic. In certain colloquial settings, ああ may also be used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Hiroshima dialect, いや is used as an informal way to say yes.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
hai
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use うん with superiors or in formal settings, which can come across as rude.
When do people say it?
In addition to expressing agreement, はい is used as a response to confirm that you are paying attention. If you wish to express pleasure, joy or great excitement, you would use different words such as よし or やった.
Did you know?
- In the Hiroshima dialect, the word いや can be used as an informal way to say 'yes', even though it usually means 'no' or 'dislike' in standard Japanese.
- The informal 'yes', うん, is thought to be an onomatopoeia mimicking the grunting sound a person makes when straining or exerting effort.
- While はい is the standard polite 'yes', responding to a question with はい can sometimes be interpreted as a 'yes' to the question's phrasing rather than agreement with the speaker's intent.
Examples in context
- ええ、喜んで。Yes, I'll be glad to.This sentence uses ええ.Tatoeba #228005 by small_snow, translation #13086546 by terrywallwork
- はい。喜んで。Yes, with pleasure.This sentence uses はい.Tatoeba #9994238 by small_snow, translation #2130380 by AlanF_US
- うん。欲しい！Yes, I want it!This sentence uses うん.Tatoeba #11795631 by small_snow, translation #10743205 by ddnktr
- 193 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daito and Himari are talking in a classroom.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵さん、この本を読みましたか。Himari-san, kono hon o yomimashita ka.Himari, have you read this book?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、読みました。Hai, yomimashita.Yes, I have.
- 大翔 Hiroto面白かったですか。Omoshirokatta desu ka.Was it interesting?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、とても面白かったです。Hai, totemo omoshirokatta desu.Yes, it was very interesting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries はい, ええ, うん, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries うん, ええ, はい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
