Languages › Japanese Can I use "ee" instead of "hai"? Question of the Week Vol. 8 Print Japanese Essential Japanese Vocabulary History & Culture Japanese Grammar 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. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on February 25, 2020 Click here to check out more "Question of the Week". 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. Read More Learn the Translation for 'Yes' in Japanese By Namiko Abe 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. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation 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 April 25, 2024). copy citation