Yes Phrases: はい, はあ, ええ, & うん
A lot can be said about the words for “yes,” and in this lesson, we will study the following words:
・はい
・はあ
・ええ
・うん
Curriculum Note: Because these words, at times, require context to be understood, there will be some grammar used that has not been formally introduced. At those points, simply focus on understanding the “yes” phrase at hand.
The Usages of はい & はあ
Usage 1: Answering “Yes-No” Questions
The most fundamental usage of はい is “yes” in answering “yes-no” questions.
1. 「はい」を押してください。
Please press “Yes.”
2.
A氏：明日、買い物に行きますか。
B氏：はい（、コストコに買い物（し）に行きます）。
Person A: Are you going to go shopping tomorrow?
Person B: Yes(, I’m going to go shop at Costco).
Although simply saying はい could suffice in answering a yes-no question, explicitly stating an answer is often needed to not be vague. Tone can also help convey affirmation. Also, if you are speaking to a superior to whom giving a succinct answer is expected, just answering with はい would be inappropriate.
Usage 2: Showing Confirmation
はい also shows confirmation. If the question is in the affirmative, はい confirms the affirmative. However, if it the question is in the negative, はい confirms the negative. This is unlike English where the latter situation would be answered with “no.”
3.
A氏：今年セスは31歳になりますね。
B氏：はい（、そうですね）。
Person A: Seth turns 31 this year, right?
Person B: Yes(, that’s right).
Phrase Note: そうですね and its variants can often be treated as beings synonymous to “yes” and do not need to be used with a yes-word to be used as such. This is no different than the English expression “that’s right.”
4.
A氏：明日、京都へ行かないんですか。
B氏：はい、行きませんね。多分今年は行かないと思います。
Person A: Are you not going to Kyoto tomorrow?
Person B: No, I’m not. I probably won’t go this year.
5.
紗智子：休むんですか。
泰彦：はい、ちょっと急な用事がありまして。
Sachiko: Are you taking the day off?
Yasuhiko: Yes, I have an urgent thing to attend to.
6.
同僚A：行かないんですか。
同僚B：はい、行きません。
Colleague A: Are you not going?
Colleague B: No, I’m not going.
Usage 3: Showing Agreement/Consent
はい may also show agreement to a request, in which case it is accompanied with an affirmative tone. This can also be viewed as an offshoot of answering to a yes-no question, only with “no” not being an option.
7.
課長：このファイルを辻さんに転送してください。
社員：はい（、承知しました）。
Section Manager: Please forward these files to Tsuji-san.
Employee: Yes(, understood).
8. はい、わかりました。
Hai, wakarimashita.
Understood.
Phrase Note: The phrases for “understood” are listed below in order of how polite/humble they are.
| Speech Register | Phrase |
| Most Humble | 畏まりました |
| Very Humble | 承知いたしました |
| Humble | 承知しました |
| Polite (To Equals) | 了解しました |
| Polite (General Use) | わかりました1 |
| Polite | 了解です |
| Casual | わかった・了解 |
Usage 4: Answering the Phone
はい is the go-to phrase when responding to someone calling (for) you, both in person and on the phone.
9.
藤田：金子さん。
金子：はい。
藤田：こちらに来てもらっていいですか。
金子：はい、何ですか。
Fujita: Kaneko-san.
Kaneko: Yes.
Fujita: Could you please come here?
Kaneko: Yes, what is it?
10.
母親：もしもし。 （電話）
娘：はい。あ、お母さん！
Mother: Hello. (Phone)
Daughter: Hello. Hey, mom!
Usage 5: Marking a Starting Point
Another usage of はい is to indicate the start of a joint activity.
11. では、調理開始ですね、はい。
Well then, cooking begins. Yes.
12. これをあのベンチに置いときましょう。ちょっと重いので気をつけましょう。じゃ、いち、にいの、さん、はい！
Let’s place this on the bench over there. It’s a little heavy, so let’s be careful. Alright, one, two, three, here we go!
Usage 6: Indicating that One is Listening
One usage of はい that is far removed from the English concept of “yes” is indicating to the speaker that one is listening. The purpose here is not to interrupt who is talking, which is how it may seem to an English speaker. Once the other person is done speaking, however, simply responding with はい would be inappropriate as its interpretation would default to this usage.
13.
A氏：次のグラフを見てもらうと。
B氏：はい。
A氏：分かると思もいますが。
B氏：はい。
Person A: If I have you look at the next graph.
Person B: Uh-huh.
Person A: I believe you’ll understand, but…
Person B: Uh-huh.
It may not always be the case that one is the intended listener when using はい in this fashion. This is especially the case in TV programs where one person may be directing comments to the audience while another person is to the side nodding off and making interjections as the person speaks. This is done largely to encourage engagement from the audience.
The applications of this usage thus far have been harmless, but it can also be used to tell the speaker you’ve heard enough.
14. はいはい、もう分わかってますよ。
Yes, yes, I know already.
With a change in intonation to that of a question, はい can be used when you would otherwise indicate that you’re listening to imply that you’re shocked by what is said—simultaneously asking that the speaker repeat oneself.
15.はい？
Come again?
Usage 7: Reaffirming a Statement
Responding to そうですか is an important function of はい.
16.
涼子：きのう、しらこばと水上公園に行きましたよ。
沙良：あ、そうですか？
涼子：はい、すごく楽しかったですよ。是非行ってみてください。
Ryoko: I went to Shirakobato Water Park yesterday.
Sara: Oh, really?
Ryoko: Yeah, it was really fun. Definitely try going there.
Usage 8: Anticipatory Response
Hai はい is often used as an anticipatory answer at the end of a sentence, especially by store clerks.
17.
客：今の旬の食材はなんでしょうか？
店長：そうですねえ。今の時期、美味しい魚はいっぱいあるんですけど、特に美味しいのはやっぱり鯛ですね、はい。
Customer: What ingredients are in season now?
Shop Manager: Well, there are a lot of delicious fish this season, but the one that’s especially delicious would have to be sea bream. Yes.
Usage 9: Presenting Something to Someone
はい is used when presenting something to someone. This can also be said when arriving somewhere, with the destination being what is presented.
18. はい、炊き込みご飯です。どうぞ。
Here’s mixed rice. Feel free.
19. はい、こちらはスターバックスコーヒー1号店でございます。
Now right here is Starbucks Coffee’s first store.
20. はい、到着しました。
Alright, we’ve arrived.
Usage 10: When Giving Instructions
はい is frequently used right as one is giving instructions.
21. はい、スタート！
Start!
22. はい、冷蔵庫に入れてください。
Yeah, put it in the refrigerator.
Usage 11: When Telling Someone to Stop
はい is used to indicate to others they stop what they’re doing.
23. はい、そこまで（だ）！
Alright, stop there!
24.
生徒A：私は将来宇宙飛行士になりたいです！
先生：はい。じゃ、健太君は？
Student A: I want to become an astronaut in the future!
Teacher: Alright. Now how about you, Kenta-kun?
Usage 12: Getting People’s Attention
Hai はい can be used to get people’s attention.
25. 先生：はい、はい。みな落ち着いてください。
Okay, okay, everyone settle down, please.
Usage 13: When Being Asked for Commentary
はい is frequently used in response to being asked for commentary.
26.
斉藤：加藤さん、どう思いますか。
加藤：はい、あの、私も反対ですね。
Saito: What do you think, Kato-san?
Kato: Yes, um, I’m also against it.
Usage 14: Prompting More of a Response
はい is also frequently used after someone makes a comment to get the individual to say more. This can be viewed as an offshoot of Usage 6.
27.
被害者：私は青に変かわったのを確認してから車を直進に発車させました。
検察官：はい。
被害者：はい、その後、左側から車が見えてブレーキを踏みましたが、間に合わず事故になりました。
検察官：はい。
被害者：そのとき、対向車は一台でした。
Injured Party: I went straight in my car after verifying that the light had turned green.
Prosecutor: Continue.
Injured Party: Ok, afterward, I could see a car from the left. I braked but didn’t make it in time, which led to the accident.
Prosecutor: Continue.
Injured Party: At that time, there was one oncoming car.
Usage 15: Creating a Rhythm
At times, はい is simply used to create a rhythm, especially in folk songs. It may also be used as an interjection when pounding 餅 (sticky rice cake).
28. はい、はい、はい、はい。
One, two, one, two.
The Variant はあ
There also exists はあ, which is treated as a simple alteration of はい that is used by male speakers, and it can be used for most of the previous usages above excluding 4, 8, 10, 11 12, 15.
29. はあ、承知しました。
Yes, understood.
30. はあ！
Yes, sir!
31. はあ、その地震は大変でしたね。
Yeah, that earthquake was terrible, huh.
32. はあ、なんでしょうか。
Yes, what is it?
33. はあ、それはそうですが。
Yes, that’s true, but…
34. はあ、嘘でしょう？
What, you’ve got to be kidding!?
35. はあ、しまった！
Ah, damn it!
Usage Note: One usage that はあ has that it doesn’t share with はい is being used as an interjection when one is really in a rut.
The Usages of ええ
はい is the most multi-faceted word used in this lesson. It is also the most formal. With that being said, ええ is not as complicated. Regardless of how it’s used, it is an affirmative response of one’s thought and/or emotions, which is why it can at times be perceived as rude if used out of place. Below are various implications had when using ええ:
・To show confidence.
・To make it known that you already know about what’s been talked about.
・Indicative of being older, composed, and being able to affirmatively look back.
・To show elitism.
・To give an at-home feeling to those especially close.
・Responding to audience but without appeal unless mixed together with はい.
・Seemingly able to talk on and on, indicative of female conversation.
Usage 1: Yes-No Questions
36.
佐伯：社長は長崎へ出張するのですか。
佐藤：ええ。
Saeki: Is the company director going to Nagasaki on business.
Sato: Yes.
Usage 2: Acknowledgement of Listening
37.
昌平：ちょっとお願いがあるんですが。
聡：ええ（、何でしょう）。
昌平：空いてるときは銀行に連れていってくれませんか。
聡：ええ、問題ありませんよ。
Shohei: I have a small request.
Satoshi: Yes, what is it?
Shohei: When you’re free, could you take me to the bank?
Satoshi: Yeah, no problem.
Usage 3: Showing Confirmation
38. ええ、そうですよ。
Yes, that’s right.
39. ええ、正解です。
Yes, that’s the correct answer.
40. ええ、よくあることです。
Yes, it happens often.
41. ええ、言うとおりだと思います。
Yes, I believe you’re exactly right.
Usage 4: Responding to Request/Suggestion: Agreement/Sympathy
42. ええ、ぜひ。
Yes, by all means.
43. ええ、いい考えだと思いますね。
Yes, I think that’s a good idea.
5. Surprise (Low-High Intonation)
This usage does not fit any of the aforementioned implications.
44. ええ、本当ですか。
What, really?
45. ええ、嘘！
What, you’re kidding!?
46. ええ！？
What!?
The Usages of Un うん
うん is a very casual means of saying “yes” that should only be used with those who one is very friendly and close with. When behaving as a means of saying “yes,” it has the following purposes.
- Yes-No Questions
- Acknowledgement of Listening
- Confirmation
- Responding to Request/Suggestion: Agreement/Sympathy
- Response to a Command
Examples
47. 「ペンギンは鳥なの？」「うん（、鳥だよ）」
“Are penguins birds?” “Yes(, they’re birds).”
48.
花子：明日は…
涼子：うん。
花子：あたしの誕生日なのよ。
Hanako: Tomorrow…
Ryoko: Yeah.
Hanako: Is my birthday.
49. いや、そのままでいいんじゃない、うん。
“No, it’s fine as is, right? Yeah.”
50. うんうん、君の言うとおりだね。
Yep, yep, you’re exactly right.
51. うん、その気持わかるよ。
Yeah, I get what you’re feeling.
52. 「ごめんなさい。」「うん、いいんだよ。」
“Sorry.” “No, it’s ok.”
53.
従業員：小池さんこの種の仕事に向いていないんですか。
支配人：うん、向いてないな。
Employee: Is Koike-san not suited for this kind of work?
Manager: No, he really isn’t suited for it.
54. うん、そうだよな。はい、そうですね。
Yeah, that’s right. Yes, you’re definitely right.
Sentence Note: The first half of this example would be an example of answering one’s own question. Only the latter part would be directed at the listener, as indicated by the difference in speech style.
55.
父親：ボール投げて！
息子：うん！
Father: Throw the ball!
Son: Ok!
As an Onomatopoeia
Unrelated to the meanings of “yes” outlined so far, うん may also be used as onomatopoeia for the following purposes.
・The sound of bees, horseflies, etc. in great number flying about.
・The faint sound of machinery.
・The sound of someone in anguish.
56. パソコンがうんうんいってるけど大丈夫かな？
The computer is sure making noise. I wonder if it’s alright?
57. 痛がひどくてベッドでうんうんと唸っていた。
The pain was awful; I was groaning in bed.
- When indicating “understood,” the verb わかる may be spelled in Kanji as either 分かる or 解る. ↩︎