Yes in Japanese is はい (hai) and no is いいえ (iie). Between friends, うん (un) means yeah and ううん (uun) means nah. A bare いいえ can feel blunt, so people refuse offers with 結構です (kekkō desu) or a trailing ちょっと… (chotto…). And はい often just means "I'm listening", not agreement.
- Yes (polite)
- はい (hai)
- Yes (casual)
- うん (un)
- No (polite)
- いいえ (iie)
- No (casual)
- ううん (uun)
- No, thank you
- 結構です (kekkō desu)
- Level
- A1
Which yes and which no suit the conversation?
Japanese has a polite pair and a casual pair. Use はい and いいえ with strangers, staff, teachers and colleagues; keep うん and ううん for friends and family. The casual pair is easy to mix up: ううん has an extra beat and usually comes with a small shake of the head.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| はい | hai | Yes; also "I hear you" | Polite: the default |
| ええ | ē | Yes | Polite but softer, common in conversation |
| うん | un | Yeah | Casual: friends, family |
| いいえ | iie | No | Polite, but direct |
| いえ | ie | No | Shorter, very common in speech |
| ううん | uun | Nah | Casual |
| いや | iya | No; well, actually | Casual, can sound curt |
| そうです | sō desu | That's right | Confirming a fact |
Japanese does not need yes or no as often as English. Asked 「コーヒー、飲みますか」, many people simply answer with the verb: 飲みます (nomimasu, "I'll have some").
Why doesn't hai always mean yes?
はい is also a listening noise. In a meeting or on the phone, a steady はい、はい tells the speaker you are following, the way English speakers say "mm-hm". It does not promise agreement, which is why a string of はい can end with a polite refusal.
「これ は あなた の 仕事 じゃ ない。 わかりましたか？」 さくら は 頭 を さげます。 「はい。」"Kore wa anata no shigoto ja nai. Wakarimashita ka?" Sakura wa atama o sagemasu. "Hai."
はい、そうです。
Hai, sō desu.
Yes, that's right.
はい、お願いします。
Hai, onegai shimasu.
Yes, please.
Accepting an offer, such as a bag or a refill.
うん、いいよ。
Un, ii yo.
Yeah, sure.
Casual agreement to a friend's suggestion.
How do you say no politely in Japanese?
いいえ is correct, but it works best for correcting facts ("no, that's not me"). To turn down an offer or an invitation, Japanese speakers soften the refusal or leave it unfinished.
「いいえ。 私 は この 人 を 知りません。」"Iie. Watashi wa kono hito o shirimasen."
いいえ、結構です。
Iie, kekkō desu.
No, thank you.
Declining an offer from staff or a stranger.
大丈夫です。
Daijōbu desu.
I'm fine (no need).
The usual way to decline a bag or chopsticks at a convenience store. It can also mean yes, so a hand gesture helps.
今日はちょっと…。
Kyō wa chotto…
Today is a bit…
Declining an invitation. Leaving the sentence unfinished is the polite part.
いえ、違います。
Ie, chigaimasu.
No, that's not right.
How do you answer a negative question in Japanese?
This trips up almost every English speaker. Japanese はい agrees with the question as it was asked; いいえ rejects it. So when the question is negative, the answers look reversed from an English point of view.
明日は来ないんですか。
Ashita wa konai n desu ka.
Aren't you coming tomorrow?
はい、行きません。
Hai, ikimasen.
No, I'm not.
Literally "Yes (you're right), I'm not going."
いいえ、行きますよ。
Iie, ikimasu yo.
Yes, I am.
Literally "No (that's wrong), I'm going."
If you are unsure, add the full verb, as above. The verb carries the meaning even when your はい or いいえ points the wrong way. When the answer is "I'm not sure", see how to say I don't understand in Japanese.
Read free Japanese stories at A1 and watch はい and いいえ at work in real dialogue, one tap from their meaning.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
How do you pronounce hai and iie?
Hai sounds like English "high", said short. Iie has three vowel beats, "ee-ee-eh", with the pitch falling. In quick speech it often shrinks to いえ (ie).
Is iie rude?
Not rude, but it can sound abrupt when someone is offering you something. いいえ、結構です or a simple 大丈夫です with a smile is gentler.
How do you say "yes, please" in Japanese?
はい、お願いします (hai, onegai shimasu). To a friend, うん、ありがとう (un, arigatō) does the same job.
What does ee mean in Japanese?
ええ (ē) is a polite yes, slightly softer than はい. You hear it in conversation rather than in answers to a teacher or official.
Do Japanese people nod for yes?
Yes, and they nod a lot while listening, which signals attention rather than agreement. A small wave of the hand in front of the face means "no, not me" or "no need".