Hi everyone, this is Erika.
In this corner, I’ll be introducing Japanese words.
In learning foreign languages, we often start with the basics: hello, good bye, yes and no.
In Japanese, the word for “yes” is “hai（はい）” (pronounced like “high”).
But be careful…
My American friends have often told me that
“Japanese people are very agreeable” or that “my business meeting went so well! They nodded to everything!”
But wow, are they surprised when they find out later that the Japanese, in fact, are not happy with the meeting!
Did you know “hai（はい）” is used in many ways?
“Hai（はい）” can take on another connotation, similar to “uh-huh.”
If you tell a story or explain something to a Japanese person, they may respond to you by saying “hai（はい）” multiple times and nodding their head up and down – this doesn’t mean “yes, I agree with you…” but rather, it usually means “yes, I hear you… and I’ll tell you what I think later.”
When conversing with the Japanese, don’t assume they’re in agreement! Remember to ask :)
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