“hai, douzo”/”Right, here you go!”

はい,どうぞ

hai, douzo

“hai” is a polite way of saying “yes.” “douzo” is also a very polite and common word meaning “please go ahead” or “here you go.” This is one phrase you will definitely hear very frequently in real life, should you ever go to a Japanese-speaking place. It could be used at a restaurant by the waitress, or at the train station by the person checking your tickets. Just an all-around good phrase to know.

In this case, Yuiko’s being a bit of a dunce by being a little too polite to Ritsuka (who she’s in love with) and offering her textbook to him.

ListenYuiko Hawatari to Yuiko from Loveless say this phrase!

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hai = yes

douzo = go ahead

好(す)きだよ

suki da yo

If you ever watch Loveless (or any other romance for that matter), you’ll probably hear this phrase quite overused. Yes, it means “I love you.” Yes, it also means “I like you.” And it’s not just used for people, it can be used to show liking for anything: food, activities, objects. In reality – in most cases anyway – I think the only time this would be used between people is during a confession of love. This is not something you should ever expect to be saying or hearing constantly (despite what Soubi might lead you to think!).

Let me try to explain this in more detail. Generally, “suki” just means to like something, whereas “daisuki” (大好き) means a particularly strong liking, or “love.” However… in practice, people rarely say “daisuki” to other people; to say “daisuki” to someone sounds childish and maybe even superficial. It’s kind of like comparing saying “I reaaally like you” (childish giggle) to “I like you” (confessional).

Soubi Agatsuma

Listen to Soubi from Loveless say this phrase!

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suki = like

da = “to be”

yo = emphatic particle

March 3rd, 2010 | Category: All Posts, Common Expressions, Easy, Loveless, Polite Expressions, Yes/No | Leave a comment

“ee, sou desu ne”/”Yes, you’re right”

ええ、そうですね
ee, sou desu ne

Though you might not believe it at first, “ee” is actually a polite word for “yes.” It is about the same level of politeness as “hai” although there are subtle differences in their meanings. “hai” can mean “yes, sir!” as in “I will do it!” but “ee” doesn’t carry that same active feeling. Also, “hai” is more of a stand-alone “one word response,” whereas “ee” is almost always followed up with something more, or implies that there is probably something more (even if it’s not said).

Listen to Abel from Trinity Blood say “ee, sou desu ne”

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ee = yes

sou = “it is so”

desu = is

ne = seeking affirmation

February 1st, 2010 | Category: All Posts, Common Expressions, Easy, Trinity Blood, Yes/No | Leave a comment

“a, hai”/”Er, yes.”

あ、 はい
a, hai

Very simple, eh? As you may know, “hai” means “yes.” It is the polite, or perhaps standard, way of saying yes. It is acceptable in a wide variety of situations, from answering a teacher at school and telling the cashier that you want the items bagged to conversations with coworkers, strangers, parents, even children or those you’re very familiar with. Only those who are extraordinarily coarse won’t be heard saying this.

Listen to Esther from Trinity Blood say “a, hai”

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a = hesitation/stutter sound

hai = yes

February 1st, 2010 | Category: All Posts, Common Expressions, Easy, Trinity Blood, Yes/No | Leave a comment