Can I use "ee" instead of "hai"?

Question of the Week Vol. 8

By
Namiko Abe
Namiko Abe
Japanese Language Expert
  • B.A., Kwansei Gakuin University
Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.
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Updated on February 25, 2020

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This week's question is "Can I use "ee" instead of "hai"?

Both "hai" and "ee" mean "yes". "Hai" is formal and "ee" is casual (used in daily conversation). There are some situations in which "hai" can not be replaced with "ee."

(1) When your name is called (taking attendance etc.)
Tanaka-san.  田中さん。

Mr. Tanaka.

Hai. はい。

Yes, present.


(2) When answering the phone.

Hai, Kimura desu.  はい、木村です。

Yes, this is Kimura.


(3) When answering your door.

Hai, douzo. はい、どうぞ。

Yes, please (come in).


(4) When you respond to someone's request.

Hai.  はい。

Yes (I will do it).

"Un" is also used as "yes". It is very casual, therefore used only among family members or close friends.

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Abe, Namiko. "Can I use "ee" instead of "hai"?" ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/can-i-use-ee-instead-of-hai-4037928. Abe, Namiko. (2023, April 5). Can I use "ee" instead of "hai"? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/can-i-use-ee-instead-of-hai-4037928 Abe, Namiko. "Can I use "ee" instead of "hai"?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/can-i-use-ee-instead-of-hai-4037928 (accessed June 2, 2023).
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