Translation guide
A guide to expressing the English function word 'yes?' in Japanese, used to prompt a response, confirm understanding, or express polite attention. Japanese equivalents vary by context and politeness level.
Used to encourage someone to continue, confirm they are listening, or ask for agreement, similar to 'right?' or 'okay?' in English.
A casual sentence-ending particle that seeks agreement or confirmation. Very common in informal conversation.
明日は休みだよね？
Tomorrow is a day off, yes?
A more polite version of ね, used to seek agreement or confirmation. Often used in semi-formal settings.
この映画、面白いでしょう？
This movie is interesting, yes?
Literally 'that's right, isn't it?'. Used to confirm shared understanding or seek agreement in a polite manner.
会議は3時からですよね？
The meeting is at 3, yes?
A very casual combination of だ (copula) + よ (emphasis) + ね (confirmation). Used among close friends.
これ、美味しいだよね？
This is delicious, yes?
Used by service staff to acknowledge a customer's call or to indicate readiness to take an order, similar to 'yes?' or 'how can I help you?'.
A polite, rising intonation 'yes?' used by staff to respond to a customer's call. Equivalent to 'yes, how can I help you?'.
（お客様が呼ぶ）「すみません！」店員：「はい？」
(Customer calls) 'Excuse me!' Clerk: 'Yes?'
Literally 'I've kept you waiting'. Used when approaching a customer who has been waiting, often with a rising intonation to prompt their order.
店員：「お待たせしました。ご注文は？」
Waiter: 'Sorry to keep you waiting. Yes? (What would you like to order?)'
Used when you didn't hear or understand something, similar to 'yes?' with a questioning tone.
With a rising intonation, it means 'yes?' or 'pardon?'. Can be used in both casual and polite contexts depending on tone.
A: 「明日、映画に行かない？」B: 「はい？」
A: 'Want to go to a movie tomorrow?' B: 'Yes? (What did you say?)'
A casual interjection meaning 'huh?' or 'what?'. Used when you didn't catch what was said.
「え？何て言ったの？」
'Yes? What did you say?'
In English, 'yes?' can be a standalone prompt. In Japanese, simply saying 'はい？' with rising intonation works in some contexts, but often a more specific phrase like 'ね？' or 'でしょう？' is needed to seek agreement. Using 'はい？' alone can sound abrupt or rude if not careful with tone.
これはあなたの本でしょう？
This is your book, yes?