Looking up...
ええ
ee
yes
A: 今日、会議は3時に始まります。 B: ええ。
A: The meeting starts at 3 today. B: Yes.
informal
Yes; that's correct; I agree
A: この本、面白い？ B: ええ、とても。
A: Is this book interesting? B: Yes, very.
A: 明日、来られますか？ B: ええ、大丈夫です。
A: Can you come tomorrow? B: Yes, that's fine.
Used in casual conversation. More informal than はい.
Pro Tip
Casual vs. Formal
Use ええ in casual settings with friends or family. In formal situations, prefer はい or そうです.
Word Origin
From Old Japanese え (e), a particle expressing agreement or affirmation. Evolved into modern ええ (ee) in the Edo period.
Usage Notes
ええ is softer and more casual than はい. It can sound overly familiar in formal settings. In some regions (e.g., Kansai), ええ is used more frequently than in standard Tokyo dialect.
和英辞典