はい

According to some sources, it may derive from Cantonese 係 (hai6), or perhaps from Sino-Japanese 拝 (hai). It is believed by other scholars to be a false cognate. (Can this⁽⁺⁾ etymology be sourced?)

はい (rōmaji hai)

1. yes; okay; understood, got it

   はい、承 (しょう)知 (ち)しました。

   Hai, shōchi shimashita.

   Understood.

2. yes; here; present

   「もしもし、木村 (きむら)さんですか？」「はい、木村 (きむら)です。」

   “Moshimoshi, Kimura-san desu ka?” “Hai, Kimura desu.”

   "Hello, is this Mr./Ms. Kimura?" "Yes, Kimura speaking."

   はい、何 (なん)でしょうか。

   Hai, nan deshō ka.

   Yes? What is it?

3. uh-huh (I’m hearing)

   はい。はい。はい。なるほど、なるほど。

   Hai. Hai. Hai. Naruhodo, naruhodo.

   Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Yes. Mmm, I see.

4. sorry? (What did you say?)

   はい？何 (なん)ですって？

   Hai? Nan desu tte?

   I'm sorry? Could you repeat that?

5. go, start; stop, time's up (expressing a timing)

   1 (いち)、2 (に)、3 (さん)、はい！

   Ichi, ni, san, hai!

   1, 2, 3, go!

   はい、そこまで。

   Hai, soko made.

   OK, let's stop here.

6. (sentence-final) Used to express mild uncertainty.

   そうだと思 (おも)います、はい。

   Sō da to omoimasu, hai.

   I believe so, yes.

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 (haaai)
• “yes, I understand what you are saying (but don’t necessarily agree)”

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

• いいえ (īe)
• (informal) ううん (ūn)

はい (rōmaji -hai)

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

はい (rōmaji hai)

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

はい (rōmaji -hai)

1. 杯: (games) cup (for a victory)