Translation guide
How to ask and answer yes/no questions in Japanese, including confirmation, choice, and indirect responses.
The learner wants to say 'yes' or 'no' in response to a question.
Standard 'yes'. Used in formal and polite contexts. Can also mean 'I understand' or 'here you are'.
Yes, that's right.
Standard 'no'. Often softened or avoided in polite speech.
いいえ、違います。
No, that's wrong.
Casual 'yes'. Common in everyday conversation.
ええ、大丈夫です。
Yeah, it's fine.
Very casual 'yeah'. Used among friends and family.
うん、行くよ。
Yeah, I'll go.
Casual 'no'. Often pronounced with a falling intonation.
ううん、まだ食べてない。
No, I haven't eaten yet.
The learner wants to agree or disagree with a statement, not just answer a question.
In Japanese, you often confirm or deny by repeating the verb in positive or negative form, not just saying 'yes' or 'no'.
A: 行きますか？ B: はい、行きます。
A: Will you go? B: Yes, I will.
A: 食べましたか？ B: いいえ、食べませんでした。
A: Did you eat? B: No, I didn't.
Use そうです to confirm ('that's right') and 違います to deny ('that's wrong'). Polite and clear.
A: 田中さんですか？ B: はい、そうです。
A: Are you Mr. Tanaka? B: Yes, that's right.
A: 学生ですか？ B: いいえ、違います。
A: Are you a student? B: No, I'm not.
The learner wants to present a binary choice, like 'yes or no?'.
Direct translation of 'yes or no'. Used in questions or forms.
はいかいいえで答えてください。
Please answer yes or no.
Loanword version, used in casual or emphatic contexts.
イエスかノーか、どっち？
Yes or no, which is it?
The learner wants to avoid a direct 'yes' or 'no' to be polite or vague.
Instead of saying 'no' directly, Japanese often uses ちょっと (a little...) to imply difficulty or refusal without being blunt.
A: 明日、来られますか？ B: 明日はちょっと...
A: Can you come tomorrow? B: Tomorrow is a bit...
Literally 'I'll think about it', often used to indirectly say 'no' or delay a decision.
A: このプランでいいですか？ B: ちょっと考えておきます。
A: Is this plan okay? B: I'll think about it a bit.
Saying いいえ directly can sound too blunt. Use softening phrases like ちょっと... or すみませんが... to refuse politely.
すみませんが、今日はちょっと...
Sorry, but today is a bit...
When answering yes/no, repeating the verb in positive or negative form is more natural and clear than just はい/いいえ.