When we talk about "yes" in Japanese, "hai" [はい] automatically comes to mind. But did you know that there are different ways to say "yes" in Japanese? In this article, we decided to make a complete list of common ways to "confirm something that has been said" in the Japanese language. We hope to expand your mind and perspective on the 20 ways to express "yes" in Japanese.
The "hai" [はい] that we learn when we start studying Japanese is a very limited term and its use may not make sense in various situations. It is essential for you to learn other ways to say "yes" in Japanese if you want to expand your vocabulary and have more genuine conversations without repetition.
Table of Contents
うん (Un)
If you are in more casual conversations with Japanese people, you will notice that they make a lot of use of うん (Un), and it really conveys this idea of: Yeah, uh-huh, yes, that's right.
When you want to express to the Japanese that you agree with what has been said or that it really is what was asked before, you can use [うん], but be careful as the intonation can mean a question.
Your tone can also convey a sense of uncertainty when using [うん]. You can also use "Unun" [うんうん] for confirmation, but the intonation may sound like a "No" instead of a yes.
example sentences
うん、かまわないよ Un, kamawanai yo
Yes, I don't care.
うん、ちょっと。
Un, Chotto
Yes, a little
うん、もちろん。
Un, Mochiron
ええ (Ee)
Just like in the previous example, it has the meaning of: Yeah, that's right, uh-huh, that's correct.
To make it clearer, let's see this interjection being used in a sentence.
The sentence is: Yes, I saw it.
ええ、見ました。 Ee, mimashita
As we mentioned in the previous example, this ええ EE, can carry a sense of doubt about something depending on the context that is seen, like a:” Anh? ”
はい (Hai)
The famous Hai, a very polite way of saying yes, a way of saying yes without seeming disrespectful to the person you are talking to. And its main meanings are: Yes, that's it, correct, I understand, okay, that's right.
As we can perceive from the previous examples, these confirmation words sometimes have the sense of questioning or doubt, that is, it can also have the meaning of: Excuse me? What was that? Could you say it again?
And in this sense, it is important to perceive during speech that it has a rising intonation (Ha/i?) But to reinforce the idea that yes, we are learning in this article, let's see an example sentence.
新しい法規に賛成の人は『はい』と答えてください。 Atarashii houuki ni sansei no hito wa hai to kotaetekudasai
Those in favor of the new legislation, please respond yes.
左様 (Sayou)
Another interesting interjection to learn is さよう (Sayou). Although it is written in Kanji in the title, when さよう (Sayou) means: Yes, that is it, exactly, that is correct.
In this sense, it is usually used in Kana, which are these more rounded letters without many strokes.
オッケー / オーケー (Okkee/ookee)
The オッケー (Okkee) in Katakana means: "Ok, okay" in English. It is a global confirmation that all languages know. See below an example sentence:
ペン, 貸してもらえる? オーケー
Pen, kashitemoraeru? Ookee
Could you lend me the pen? Of course.
もちろん (Mochiron)
Of course, もちろん is an adverb usually written in Kana, and the idea it conveys is a stronger confirmation about a fact, for example: Of course, naturally, certainly. See the example below:
消しゴム借りてもいい？ もちろん！
Keshigomu karitemoii Mochiron
Can I borrow your eraser? Of course! / Yes!
Variations
- もちろんです (mochiron desu): Versão mais enfática de "Mochiron", similar a "claro que sim".
- もちろんだよ (mochiron da yo) - Uma versão informal, frequentemente usada entre amigos.
いいですよ (Iidesu)
When you want to allow someone to do something or demonstrate that you don't care about their action or that fact, you usually use いいです Iidesu, which has this idea of: Okay, nice.
It can be used to accept a request, agree with a suggestion, or give permission.
Variations of "いいですよ"
See below other similar variations to [いい]
いいよ (iiyo)
This is an informal way. In this context, be careful not to be misunderstood when extending the (い) or putting a strong intonation, as it may sound like: I don't need.
いいっすよ (Īssuyo)
The expression いいっすよ (Īssuyo) is an informal and casual variation of いいですよ (Ī desu yo), which means "It's okay" or "No problem" in Japanese. It is commonly used by friends and family.
It's good. (いいです)
A slightly shorter and a little less emphatic form than いいですよ, but still polite.
いい (Ī)
Very informal, used between close friends or family .
example sentences
あ、いいですよ。どうぞ a, ii desuyo. Douzo
ぜひ (Zehi)
When you need to be certain about something and express that there is no doubt, you can use ぜひ Zehi, which means: Certainly, without fail, without error, clear.
The sentence is: Can I bring my friends? Sure / Without a doubt.
友達を誘ってもいいですか？
ぜひ！
Tomodachi o sasotte mo īdesu ka?
Zehi !
当然 (Touzen)
Touzen carries the idea of: Naturally, of course, without a doubt, certainly.
To reinforce its meaning, let's observe it in a sentence.
The sentence is: Are you going to the party today? Of course!
今日パーティーに行ってもいい？ 当然さ！ Kyō pātī ni itte mo ī? Tōzen sa!
そう (Sou)
The expression "sou" conveys the idea of: This, this way, something like that. It is also used to express agreement with what was previously said, and can also express some doubt about what was mentioned before.
The following sentences can be understood as:
- And even?
- This this.
- IT IS?! (Rhetorically)
そう ? sou? そう、そう sou, sou そうか Souka
それな (Sorena)
A very colloquial expression used among Japanese, but often not taught, is それな (Sorena). When you want to say something like: Isn't it, that's true, it's like that, it's exactly like that.
そうです (Soudesu)
We previously learned そう Sou, but it is important to emphasize that it is a somewhat informal way, in a more polite language we use そうです (Soudesu), let's see an example:
そうですよ Soudesuyo
That's right!
そんな感じ (Son'na Kanji)
Another form not taught is そんな感じ Son'na Kanji, despite being found more in informal language, it conveys the sense of: like this, in this vibe, in this style. That is, you use it to corroborate for the person who said something before that it is: like that he is in the right line of reasoning.
わたしが、やります。( Watashi ga , yarimasu)
Leaving this line of statements a little, let's see the confirmation of actions, that is, when you want to say: I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.
The sentence is: I will do.
わたしが、やります。
りょうかいです (Ryoukai desu)
A very formal and serious way of stating something in Japanese, so much so that it is often used by the army to confirm as true what was heard before, like one: written down!
So you can understand "Ryoukai desu" as: Ok, understood, affirmative, acknowledged, noted.
Other ways to use Ryoukai:
- 了解しました (Ryōkai shimashita): "Understood"
- 了解 (Ryōkai): Similar to "ok" or "understood", used in informal contexts.
かしこまりました (Kashikomarimashita)
Kashikomarimashita is a very polite way to say: understood, ok, noted, or alright.
Often used to affirm to superiors that the message has been received and understood.
- かしこまりました承知しました (Kashikomarimashita Shōchi shimashita): Expression extremely formal to show complete agreement and willingness to follow instructions.
- はい、かしこまりました (Hai, kashikomarimashita): Combination of "Hai" and "Kashikomarimashita," used to show formal agreement.
それでも構いません (Soredemo Kaimasen)
Even so, I won't buy it, can be interpreted as: I'm fine with it, despite everything being fine, anyway, okay. It is important to note that "Kaimasen" often appears alone, and in this sense it means: no problem, it's okay with me, I don't mind if.
Variations
Other ways to say "Yes"
To complete the 25 ways to say "yes" in Japanese, we share below a list of other expressions in a more summarized way. We appreciate if you can share our article!
Informal expressions:
- まぁ (Maa): Informal expression to indicate agreement or resignation.
- そっちですね (Sotchidesu ne): Literally "that's it," used to agree with something that has been said.
- なるほど (Naruhodo): Expression to indicate understanding.
- はいはい (Haihai): Informal expression to indicate agreement repeatedly.
More emphatic expressions.
- 喜んで (Kōnde): It means "with pleasure," used to show enthusiasm in agreeing with something.
- 絶対です (Zettai desu): It means "absolutely," used to emphasize agreement.
- 問題ありません (Mondai arimasen): It means "no problem," used to agree with a request.
Other forms
- はい、そうです (Hai, sōdesu): Complete statement that something is true.
- そうですとも (Sōdesu tomo): Similar to "Yes, that's right", but with additional emphasis.
- へい (Hei): Informal expression to respond to a call or to indicate agreement.
