Lesson 14: Japanese Yes and No

Objective: Learn to read and write sentences using yes and no expressions.

Grammar

In Japanese, you can attach yes or no expressions to the beginning of sentences. It is also common to use affirmative yes expressions to indicate that you're listening to a speaker.

New Vocabulary

はい = yes

[hai]

ええ = yes

[ee]

はい、そうです。 = Yes, that's correct.

[hai sou desu]

Japanese No Expressions

いいえ = no

[iie]

いいえ、けっこです。 = No, thank-you.

[iie, kekko desu]

いいえ、ちがいます。 = No, it isn't.

[iie, chigaimasu]

Examples

  • はい、わたしはアメリカじんです。 = Yes, I'm American.

    [hai, watashi wa amerikajin desu]

  • いいえ、それはわたしのえんぴつじゃありません。= No, that is not my pencil.

    [iie, sore wa watashi no enpitsu ja arimasen]

Translation Practice

Write the following sentences in Japanese using hiragana or katakana.

  1. Yes, my dog is eating my hamburger.
  2. No, that is not my house.
  3. Yes, that's correct.
  4. A: Are you watching this movie? B: No, I'm not watching this movie.
  5. No, thank-you.

Translate the following Japanese sentences to English.

  1. これはあなたのノートですか。　はい、そうです。
  2. ええ、わたしたちはがくせいです。
  3. あれはぺんですか。　いいえ、ちがいます。　あれはへびです。
  4. このえいがはおもしろいですか。　はい、とてもおもしろいです。
  5. そのきょうしはにほんごをおしえますか。　いいえ、かんじょはにほんごをおしえません。

Review

Translate the sentences below to Japanese using hiragana or katakana.

  1. Hello. It's nice to meet you. You're very beautiful. Are you a doctor?
  2. A: This hamburger is very expensive. B: Is your hamburger delicious? A: No, it isn't.
  3. That cat is clever. That cat is eating your breaded & deep-fried pork cutlet.
  4. Are you watching television? No, I'm not watching television. I'm eating pizza.
  5. Are you ill? No, I'm not ill. I'm very sleepy.
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