When learning Japanese, knowing how to say “yes” is just as important as knowing how to say “no.” However, unlike English, where “yes” is fairly straightforward, Japanese has multiple ways to express agreement depending on context, formality, and tone.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different ways to say “yes” in Japanese and how to use them naturally in conversation!

Casual Ways to Say Yes

If you’re speaking with close friends, family, or someone in an informal setting, you can use these casual expressions.

1. うん (Un) – Casual “Yes”

“Un” is the most common informal way to say “yes” in Japanese. It’s similar to saying “yeah” or “uh-huh” in English and is often used in casual conversations.

🔹 Example:
A: 明日、時間ある？ (Ashita, jikan aru?) – Do you have time tomorrow?
B: うん、あるよ！(Un, aru yo!) – Yeah, I do!

2. ええ (Ee) – Slightly Polite “Yes”

“Ee” is a bit more polite than “un” but still considered casual. It’s commonly used in friendly conversations.

🔹 Example:
A: 映画、楽しかった？ (Eiga, tanoshikatta?) – Was the movie fun?
B: ええ、とても楽しかった！(Ee, totemo tanoshikatta!) – Yes, it was really fun!

Polite Ways to Say Yes

When speaking with teachers, coworkers, or strangers, you’ll want to use a more respectful way to say “yes.”

3. はい (Hai) – Standard and Polite “Yes”

“Hai” is the closest Japanese equivalent to the English “yes.” It’s appropriate in most situations, especially in polite or formal settings.

🔹 Example:
A: レポートを提出しましたか？ (Repōto o teishutsu shimashita ka?) – Have you submitted the report?
B: はい、提出しました。(Hai, teishutsu shimashita.) – Yes, I have submitted it.

4. そうです (Sō desu) – “That’s Right” (Polite Confirmation)

“Sō desu” is often used to confirm something politely. It’s common in professional and customer service settings.

🔹 Example:
A: 田中さんは先生ですか？ (Tanaka-san wa sensei desu ka?) – Is Mr. Tanaka a teacher?
B: はい、そうです。(Hai, sō desu.) – Yes, that’s right.

Casual Ways to Confirm Something

5. そうだね / そうだよ (Sō da ne / Sō da yo) – “That’s Right” (Casual Confirmation)

This phrase is a natural way to agree in casual speech. “Sō da ne” is slightly softer, while “sō da yo” is more emphatic.

🔹 Example:
A: 今日暑いね。(Kyō atsui ne.) – It’s hot today, huh?
B: そうだね。(Sō da ne.) – Yeah, it is.

Formal and Business Ways to Say Yes

In business or professional settings, formality is key. These phrases are commonly used in the workplace.

6. かしこまりました (Kashikomarimashita) – “Understood” (Very Formal)

This is a highly formal way to acknowledge a request, often used in customer service or business settings.

🔹 Example:
A: 明日10時に会議をお願いします。(Ashita jū-ji ni kaigi o onegaishimasu.) – Please schedule the meeting for 10 AM tomorrow.
B: かしこまりました。(Kashikomarimashita.) – Certainly.

7. 承知しました (Shōchi shimashita) – “Acknowledged” (Formal)

“Shōchi shimashita” is another polite way to confirm you understand a request, often used in workplace communication.

🔹 Example:
A: 書類を確認していただけますか？ (Shorui o kakunin shite itadakemasu ka?) – Can you check the documents?
B: 承知しました。(Shōchi shimashita.) – Understood.

Cultural Notes on Saying Yes in Japanese

  1. Nodding Instead of Saying Yes
    In Japan, people often nod instead of verbally saying “yes,” especially in meetings, lectures, or when listening to someone speak.
  2. Saying Yes Without Fully Agreeing
    Japanese speakers sometimes say “hai” or “ee” just to acknowledge they are listening—not necessarily to express full agreement.
  3. Avoiding Direct Agreement
    Japanese culture values indirect communication, so instead of a direct “yes,” softer responses like “そうですね (sō desu ne)”—meaning “That’s right, isn’t it?”—are often used.

How to Practice Saying Yes Naturally

Mastering different ways to say “yes” in Japanese requires practice. Here are a few ways to improve your fluency:

✅ Watch Japanese dramas and anime – Observe how native speakers use different types of “yes” in various contexts.
✅ Engage in conversation practice – Try speaking with native speakers or language partners.
✅ Use language learning tools like Migaku – Improve vocabulary and expressions through interactive content.

Learn Japanese Naturally with Migaku

Want to sound more natural in Japanese? With Migaku, you can learn real-world phrases directly from anime, YouTube, Netflix, and online articles. The platform offers interactive subtitles, automated flashcards, and vocabulary tracking, helping you master common expressions like “yes” in Japanese with ease.

Migaku allows you to:
🚀 Turn native content into interactive lessons
🚀 Instantly look up words and save them to flashcards
🚀 Improve listening comprehension with real-world audio
🚀 Track your progress and expand your vocabulary efficiently

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, Migaku provides the tools you need to learn Japanese in a fun and engaging way.

Ready to improve your Japanese?

Start learning with Migaku today! 🚀