うん

うん
interjection
yeah, uh-huh
1. yeah, uh-huh, yes (informal)
Casual affirmative response used in informal conversations. Much more casual than はい.
「明日(あした)、来(く)る？」「うん、行(い)くよ。」
"Are you coming tomorrow?" "Yeah, I'll go."
Casual affirmative
「分(わ)かった？」「うん。」
"Did you understand?" "Yeah."
うん、それでいいと思(おも)う。
Yeah, I think that's fine.
「好(す)き？」「うん、大好(だいす)き！」
"Do you like it?" "Yeah, I love it!"
「これで合(あ)ってる？」「うん、大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)。」
"Is this correct?" "Yeah, it's fine."
うん、確(たし)かにそうだね。君(きみ)の言(い)う通(とお)りだと思(おも)う。
Yeah, that's true. I think you're right.
2. hmm, well (hesitation)
Can also express hesitation or thinking while responding.
うーん、ちょっと考(かんが)えさせて。
Hmm, let me think about it.
「どっちがいい？」「うーん、難(むずか)しいな。」
"Which is better?" "Hmm, that's a tough one."
うーん、分(わ)からない。
Hmm, I don't know.
「今度(こんど)の休(やす)みにどこか行(い)かない？」「うーん、予定(よてい)があるかも。確認(かくにん)してから連絡(れんらく)するね。」
"Want to go somewhere on the next holiday?" "Hmm, I might have plans. Let me check and get back to you."
うーん、何(なに)を食(た)べようかな。
Hmm, what should I eat?

うん is the casual equivalent of はい. Only use with friends, family, or in very informal situations.

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • ううん: no (casual negative)
  • うーん: hmm (thinking/hesitating)
  • うんうん: uh-huh uh-huh (showing you're listening)

FORMALITY SCALE:

  • うん: casual (friends, family)
  • ええ: semi-formal
  • はい: polite/formal

[Register: Casual]

Note: Using うん with superiors, teachers, or in formal situations is considered rude.

Related Words

Contrast: はい (yes (polite))
Contrast: ええ (yes (semi-formal))
basic
Added 2026.1.9 21:21 · Revised 2026.4.1 11:22
01500/01577_un