Japanese

Interjection

はい ‎(romaji hai)

1. okay; understood, got it; yes
2. here, present
3. uh-huh (I’m hearing)
4. sorry? (What did you say?)
5. go, start; stop, time's up (expressing a timing)

Usage notes

Relatively formal; in casual conversation ええ or うん are used instead.

Used in a variety of contexts, including:

• “present” – when calling attendance
• “go ahead” – when a car or truck is backing up; often said deeply with extended ‘a’ sound as in はあ〜い
• “yes, I understand what you are saying (but don’t necessarily agree)”

Synonyms

• (informal) ああ ‎(ā)
• (informal) うん ‎(un)
• (informal but still polite) ええ ‎(ē)
• (archaic) しかり ‎(shikari)
• (archaic) 応 (おう) ‎(ō)

Antonyms

• いいえ ‎(īe)
• (informal) ううん ‎(ūn)

Counter

はい ‎(romaji -hai)

1. squids, octopuses, ships
2. 杯, 盃: cup, glass, cupful
3. 敗: losses
4. 佩: swords

Noun

はい ‎(romaji hai)

1. 珮: ancient oriental belt decoration
2. 灰: ash
3. 肺: lung
4. 胚: embryo, germ, spore
5. 拝: worship

Suffix

はい ‎(romaji -hai)

1. 杯: (games) cup (for a victory)