- Yes: はい (polite), ええ (soft), うん (casual).
- No: いいえ (polite), いや / ううん (casual). But direct no’s are often avoided.
- Polite refusals: ちょっと…, だいじょうぶです, けっこうです.
- With negative questions, はい means that’s right: “You don’t eat meat?” → はい = right, I don’t.
Ways to say yes
- はいhaiYes (polite)Also means “I’m listening” or “here!” at roll call.
- ええeeYes (soft, conversational)
- うんunYeah (casual)
- そうですsō desuThat’s right.
- そうですねsō desu neThat’s true / Well, let me think…
Ways to say no
- いいえiieNo (polite)Also used modestly to brush off compliments and thanks.
- いやiyaNo (casual)
- ううんuunNah (casual)Sounds like a falling hum.
- ちがいますchigaimasuThat’s not right / That’s wrong
How Japanese people actually say no
A direct いいえ can sound harsh when refusing an offer or invitation. Japanese prefers soft, indirect refusals:
- ちょっと…chotto…Hmm, that’s a bit…Trailing off. Everyone understands it means no.
- だいじょうぶですdaijōbu desuI’m fine, thanks (= no, thank you)Refusing a bag, more food, help.
- けっこうですkekkō desuNo, thank youPolite but firm. Can sound cold if said sharply.
- かんがえておきますkangaete okimasuI’ll think about itOften a polite no.
- ざんねんですが…zannen desu ga…Unfortunately…
A typical way to decline an invitation: すみません、きょうはちょっと…, Sorry, today is a bit…. You don’t need to finish the sentence.
The trap: answering negative questions
In English, you answer based on the fact. In Japanese, you answer whether the question is correct:
| Question | Situation | Japanese answer | English answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| にくをたべませんか (You don’t eat meat?) | You don’t eat meat | はい、たべません | No, I don’t. |
| にくをたべませんか (You don’t eat meat?) | You do eat meat | いいえ、たべます | Yes, I do. |
Maybe, probably, I don’t know
- たぶんtabunprobably / maybe
- わかりませんwakarimasenI don’t know / I don’t understand
- どうでしょうdō deshōI wonder… / Hard to say
- もちろんmochironOf course!
A shop assistant offers a bag. Politely decline:
“You’re not going?” You’re NOT going. Answer:
Casual yes among friends:
Frequently asked questions
How do you say yes in Japanese?
The polite yes is はい (hai). In conversation, ええ (ee) is softer, and among friends うん (un) is common.
How do you say no in Japanese?
The polite no is いいえ (iie). Casual forms are いや (iya) and ううん (uun). When refusing offers, Japanese people often prefer indirect phrases like ちょっと… or だいじょうぶです.
How do you answer negative questions in Japanese?
Japanese answers whether the question is correct. To 'You don't eat meat?', はい means 'right, I don't eat it', and いいえ means 'no, I do eat it'. Repeating the verb avoids confusion.