In the Country of Harmony: How to Say Yes in Japanese

Understanding the Variations of Yes in Japanese || Need-to-Know Vocab, Phrases and Culture

Japan is a country that values harmony, and there is a great psychological cost to saying no or rejecting something.

Of course, whilst saying yes in Japanese is much easier than saying no, it is still very important to learn the appropriate expressions for the situation and the person.

💼 For example, if you are talking to the boss and you express your agreement in a friendly manner, it will also be seen as an attempt to disrupt the harmony of the situation.

On the other hand, responding to a friend in a formal manner can give the impression of awkwardness.

But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

👉 In this article, you will learn about such ambiguous expressions, as well as what to say when you want someone to clearly express their intentions.

Yes in Japanese || Cultural Context

Yes in Japanese || Formal Expressions

Yes in Japanese || Casual Expressions

Yes in Japanese || Slangs

Yes in Japanese || FAQs:

Yes in Japanese || Cultural Context

When learning the Japanese language, you also have to learn a lot about Japanese culture.

In actual conversation, it is a characteristic of Japanese people that they rarely express their intentions clearly, even if they consent.

This is a source of concern for many foreigners.

Not clearly stating one’s position of approval or disapproval and leaving it ambiguous is something Japanese people like to do, and it is a source of puzzlement for those who were born and raised in English-speaking cultures, where people clearly state their intentions.

Especially in business situations, Japanese people are notorious for not expressing their intentions clearly. The Japanese value “空気 Play くうき kuuki/air, atmosphere” and avoid confrontation, but for foreigners, this is a particular problem, especially in business transactions.

In such situations, it is effective to present a framework from your side and guide the other party in a way that makes it easier for them to answer. If you learn how to do this, you will find it easier to negotiate with Japanese people.

And on that note, let’s dive in!

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Yes in Japanese || Formal Expressions

Learn formal expressions first. By learning formal expressions, it will be easier to understand more casual expressions and slang.

Play はい hai literally means “yes,” and is the most standard Japanese affirmative. In conversation, however, it is common to use Play ええ ee more often than “はい hai,” and “はい hai” is usually used to punctuate the other person’s speech.

When you want to encourage the other person to speak, you say, “そうですね soudesune.”

In Japanese conversation, Play そうですね soudesune is often used as a response when neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the other. It is also used as an interjection.

For example:

Combined, it can be used to softly express agreement, like “ええ、そうですね ee, soudesune / Well, you’re right.”

Play なるほど naruhodo is another useful expression to react to the speaker. When you say this, you can show that you understand, but not necessarily agree with it.

Even if the speaker says something you can’t agree with, when you say “なるほど naruhodo,” you can show your respect to his/her opinion.

If you want to offer a counterargument, you could say “なるほど、しかし… naruhodo, shikashi… / I see your point, but…” If you want to agree, you can say “なるほど、そうですね naruhodo, soudesune. / I understand. You’re right.”

 All of these expressions can be translated into “I understand,” but nuances are different.

Play わかりました wakarimashita can be used in a formal situation, but gives a little bit casual impression.

Play 了解しました (了解 = りょうかい) ryoukai shimashita is also frequently used, but some think that this should not be said to your superior.

 All-purpose expressions are Play 承知しました (承知 = しょうち) shouchi shimashita and Play かしこまりました kashikomarimashita. These expressions can be used at any time, giving a very polite and neat impression. Especially when your superior says something to you, you are supposed to respond using these phrases.

 Of course, you can combine those expressions: はい、承知しました (承知 = しょうち)。 hai, shouchi shimashita.ええ、かしこまりました。 ee, kashikomarimashita.なるほど、わかりました。 naruhodo, wakarimashita.

Next, let’s touch on expressions that encourage the other party to make a decision.

By presenting the framework of the discussion from your side, you are able to move the discussion in your favor, and it is easier to get the desired result from the other party.

Play いつまでに決定していただけますか? (決定 = けってい)
itsumade ni kettei shite itadake masuka?

When can you make a decision by?

Play どなたが決定の権限を持っていますか? (決定 = けってい ; 権限 = けんげん ; 持 = も)

donata ga kettei no kengen wo motte imasuka?

Who has the authority to make decisions?

Play 決定を下すにあたって更に必要な情報はなんですか ? (決定 = けってい ; 下 = くだ ; 更 =さら; 必要 = ひつよう; 情報 =じょうほう)

kettei wo kudasu ni atatte sarani hitsuyou na jouhou ha nandesuka?

What further information do you need to make a decision?

These expressions are useful when negotiating with Japanese. Even Japanese who are reluctant to speak clearly will often talk if we prompt them to answer. This is true even in conversations between Japanese people.

Matthew Galbraith Perry, who urged Japan to open diplomatic relations with the U.S., learned from Russia, which had negotiated softly and failed, and approached negotiations with Japan in a coercive manner

💡 A good practice is to be thoroughly ambiguous when you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture and thoroughly articulate when negotiating with Japanese.

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Yes in Japanese || Casual Expressions

Next, we will discuss casual expressions. These expressions may be used in conversation with close friends.

 When you agree with the other party, you can express it very comfortably in Japanese.

  Play うん un is a casual way of saying “はい hai.” This is pronounced almost like “ん n” in a conversation.

Play わかった wakatta is a casual form of “わかりました wakarimashita.”

Play 了解 [りょうかい ryoukai and Play オーケー OK is also a very popular response among friends.

 You can say Play いいよ iiyo when someone’s proposal is good for you.

For example:

Of course you can combine these phrases. うん、いいよ。 un,iiyo / Yes, that’s alright.オーケー、わかった。oke, wakatta. / OK, I got it.

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Yes in Japanese || Slang

Now, let’s take a look at a few slang words.

👉 These are used almost exclusively on online chats and the Japanese don’t say these in conversations.

As you can see, Play りょ ryo is an abbreviated form of 了解 Play りょうかい ryoukai.” Sometimes words can be shortened to this extent, just like:

Please ➡️ plz.

Play おけ ok may be also easy to understand. おk is also a frequently seen form. In anime, occasionally characters say those words verbally, but this is just for anime, and you’re not supposed to use it in real life.

That is all for this article! What are your thoughts on navigating ‘Yes’ in Japanese? Let us know in the comments section!

Yes in Japanese || FAQs:

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