How to Say “Yes” in Japanese: Hai, Ee, Un, and Sou Desu
Published: June 2, 2026 / Last updated: June 2, 2026 / This page may contain affiliate links.
The most common way to say “yes” in Japanese is はい (hai). It is polite, clear, and safe to use in most everyday situations.
However, Japanese has several ways to say “yes,” depending on the situation, the level of politeness, and whether you are speaking casually or formally. In this article, you will learn the difference between hai, ee, un, and sou desu.
The Basic Way to Say “Yes”: Hai
はい (hai) is the standard Japanese word for “yes.” It is polite and can be used with teachers, coworkers, shop staff, strangers, and people you do not know well.
If you are a beginner, hai is the first word you should learn for “yes.” It is simple, useful, and appropriate in many situations.
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Hai.はい。Yes.
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Hai, wakarimashita.はい、わかりました。Yes, I understand.
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Hai, daijoubu desu.はい、大丈夫です。Yes, it is okay. / Yes, I am okay.
How to Pronounce Hai
Hai is written as はい in hiragana. It is close to the English word “high,” but it is usually shorter and lighter.
Try not to stretch it too much. In natural Japanese, hai is often quick and clear.
A Softer Way to Say “Yes”: Ee
ええ (ee) also means “yes.” It sounds a little softer and more conversational than hai.
Ee can sound natural in conversation, especially when calmly agreeing with someone. However, beginners should learn hai first because it is easier to use safely.
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Ee, sou desu.ええ、そうです。Yes, that’s right.
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Ee, daijoubu desu.ええ、大丈夫です。Yes, it is okay.
Casual “Yes”: Un
うん (un) is a casual way to say “yes.” It is common among friends, family members, and people you are close to.
Do not use un with strangers, teachers, customers, or in formal situations. It can sound too casual or even rude if used with the wrong person.
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Un.うん。Yeah. / Yes.
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Un, ii yo.うん、いいよ。Yeah, that’s fine.
When “Yes” Means “That’s Right”: Sou Desu
Sometimes, the natural Japanese answer is not just hai, but そうです (sou desu). This means “That’s right” or “Yes, that is correct.”
Sou desu is especially useful when someone is confirming information.
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Nihonjin desu ka?日本人ですか。Are you Japanese?
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Hai, sou desu.はい、そうです。Yes, that’s right.
In this kind of answer, hai means “yes,” and sou desu confirms that the statement is correct.
Quick Comparison: Hai, Ee, Un, and Sou Desu
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| はい | hai | yes | Polite and safe in most situations |
| ええ | ee | yes | Softer and conversational |
| うん | un | yeah / yes | Casual; used with friends and family |
| そうです | sou desu | that’s right | Used to confirm that something is correct |
Be Careful with Negative Questions
Japanese answers to negative questions can be confusing for English speakers. This is because hai and iie do not always work in exactly the same way as English “yes” and “no.”
For example, imagine someone asks:
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Sushi wa suki ja nai desu ka?寿司は好きじゃないですか。Don’t you like sushi?
If you answer only hai here, it can sound like you are agreeing with the negative statement: “Yes, that’s right — I don’t like sushi.”
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Hai.はい。Yes. / That’s right. I don’t like it.
On the other hand, if you answer only iie, it can mean that you are denying the negative statement: “No, that’s not true — I do like sushi.”
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Iie.いいえ。No. / That’s not true. I like it.
Because this can be confusing, beginners should often answer with a full phrase instead of only saying hai or iie.
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Suki desu.好きです。I like it.
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Suki ja nai desu.好きじゃないです。I don’t like it.
This avoids misunderstanding. Instead of translating “yes” or “no” directly, say clearly what you mean.
Common Mistakes
Using Un in Formal Situations
Un is casual. It is fine with close friends, but it is not appropriate in polite or formal situations. When in doubt, use hai.
Thinking Hai Always Works Like English “Yes”
Hai often means “yes,” but Japanese responses depend on the structure of the question. This is especially important with negative questions.
Only Saying Hai When Sou Desu Sounds More Natural
When someone is confirming information, hai, sou desu often sounds more complete and natural than only saying hai.
Which “Yes” Should Beginners Use?
If you are just starting to learn Japanese, use はい (hai) as your basic word for “yes.”
Then learn そうです (sou desu) for situations where you want to say “That’s right.” After that, you can learn うん (un) for casual conversations with friends and family.
Summary
The basic way to say “yes” in Japanese is はい (hai). It is polite and useful in most everyday situations.
You can also use ええ (ee) for a softer “yes,” うん (un) for a casual “yeah,” and そうです (sou desu) when you mean “That’s right.”