はい

hai
interjectionBeginner yes
informal

An affirmative response, meaning 'yes' or 'I agree'.

「明日も会える?」「はい、もちろんです。

'Can we meet tomorrow?' 'Yes, of course.'

💡

Commonly used in casual and formal conversations to affirm something.

formal

A polite way to acknowledge someone's statement or request.

「お茶をいただけますか?」「はい、どうぞ。

'May I have some tea?' 'Yes, please go ahead.'

💡

Often used in customer service or professional settings.

Related Phrases

💡Pro Tip

Politeness in Formal Settings

In formal contexts, 'はい' is often followed by additional polite phrases like 'はい、承知しました' (Yes, I understand) to show respect.

Gold Rule

Affirmative Response

'はい' is the standard way to say 'yes' in Japanese, but its tone and context can vary from casual to formal.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the affirmative particle 'はい' in Japanese, which is used to confirm or agree with something.

📝Usage Notes

Can be used in both casual and formal contexts, but tone and context determine its appropriateness. In formal settings, it is often followed by additional polite phrases.

Word Breakdown

はい
yes
root
和英辞典