はい

Japanese

Etymology

Probably from Cantonese 係 hai6, or perhaps from Sino-Japanese 拝.

Interjection

はい (romaji hai)

1. okay; understood, got it; yes
2. here, present
3. uh-huh (I’m hearing)
4. pardon? (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

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

Antonyms

• いいえ (iie)
• ううん (uun) (informal)

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. 灰: ash
2. 肺: lung
3. 胚: embryo, germ, spore
4. 拝: worship

Suffix

はい (romaji -hai)

1. 杯: (games) cup (for a victory)