はい
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yes, yeah, okay, right, I understand
/ha.i/
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A versatile Japanese response word that can affirm, call attention, ask for repetition, name ash, or urge a horse.
Examples
「はい、こちらです。」
Here, it's me.
「工場から出るはいは大量だ。」
The ash from the factory is massive.
「はい、もう一度お願いします。」
What? Please say it again.
「はい、お願いします。」
Yes, please.
「乗馬中にはいと声を掛けた。」
I shouted giddy‑up while riding.
Meanings
Examples
「はい、わかりました。」
Yes, I understand.
「はい、行きます。」
Yes, I will go.
「はい、そうです。」
Yes, that's right.
「はい、お願いします。」
Yes, please.
「はい、結構です。」
Yes, that's fine.
Examples
「はい、こちらです。」
Here, it's me.
「はい、ここにいます。」
Here, I am.
「はい、呼んだんですか？」
Here, did you call me?
「はい、出ました。」
Here, I have arrived.
「はい、待っています。」
Here, I'm waiting.
Examples
「すみません、はい？」
Pardon?
「はい、もう一度お願いします。」
What? Please say it again.
「はい、聞き取れませんでした。」
Excuse me? I didn't catch that.
「はい、もう一度言ってください。」
What? Say it again.
「はい、もう一度聞かせて。」
Pardon? Could you repeat?
Etymology
From Old Japanese hai, an interjection of affirmation.
FAQ
はい can mean “yes”, “here”, “pardon?” and, in other contexts, “ash” or a horse command.
When should I use はい to answer the phone?
Start the call with はい to show you are listening and ready to speak.
Is はい ever used for “no”?
No, the negative response is いいえ.
How is はい written when it means “ash”?
When it means ash, it is written with the kanji 灰.
Can はい be used to tell a horse to move?
Yes, in riding contexts はい works like “giddy‑up” to urge a horse forward.
What is the polite form of はい?
Adding はい、かしこまりました makes the response more formal.
Does intonation affect the meaning of はい?
A rising tone turns はい into a request for repetition, while a flat tone signals agreement.
Is はい used in formal writing?
It is mainly spoken; written Japanese prefers the full phrase or other expressions in formal texts.
What is the origin of はい?
It comes from Old Japanese hai, an interjection of affirmation.
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