はい

はい
interjection
yes, here (in response)
politeexpression
1. yes
An affirmative response indicating agreement or acknowledgment.
「レシートは要(い)りますか。」「はい、お願(ねが)いします。」
"Do you need a receipt?" "Yes, please."
回答者(かいとうしゃ)の80%が「はい」と答(こた)えた。
80% of respondents answered 'yes.'
2. here (when called)
A response when one's name is called, indicating presence.
「田中(たなか)さん。」「はい。」
"Tanaka-san." "Here."
3. okay, all right
Used to signal that one has heard and understood, or to get attention.
はい、分(わ)かりました。
Okay, I understand.
はい、皆(みな)さん、注目(ちゅうもく)してください。
Okay everyone, please pay attention.

はい is the standard affirmative response in Japanese.

Usage

  • As "yes": Affirms a statement or question
  • As "here": Response when name is called (roll call, etc.)
  • As attention-getter: Similar to "okay" or "all right"

Watch out

  • As a backchannel (あいづち) while someone is talking, はい shows you are listening, not that you agree.
  • In answer to a negative question, はい confirms the negative (the opposite of English):
  • 「行(い)かないの？」「はい。」 = "You're not going?" "That's right (I'm not going)."

Similar words

  • ええ: softer, slightly more casual "yes"
  • うん: casual "yeah"

Common expressions

Related Words

Antonym: いいえ (no)
Compare: ええ (softer, slightly casual "yes")
general
Added 2026.2.3 10:40 · Revised 2026.10.3 22:18
09500/09574_hai