はい

• 読み: はい
• ローマ字: hai
• 発音: /ha.i/

意味

Yes; that is correct. Also used to acknowledge or show attentiveness.

The standard affirmative response in Japanese. Beyond meaning 'yes,' it serves as a conversational backchannel to show you are listening, similar to 'uh-huh.' Also used when handing something to someone, answering a phone, or responding to roll call. In casual speech, ええ or うん serve the same purpose.

例文

1. はい、分かりました。
2. 名前を呼ばれてはいと返事をした。
3. はい、それは正しいです。

使い方ガイド

場面: conversation, responding, acknowledgment

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

Evolved from the older Japanese affirmative はあ. Became the standard polite 'yes' during the Edo period, replacing earlier forms.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal