はい

Etymology 1
Ultimate derivation currently, with various resources listing no etymology. Theories include:


 * Perhaps related to interjection, which first appears in the early 1600s.
 * Alternatively, may derive from 🇨🇬, or perhaps from Sino-Japanese, but this theory is not academically accepted.

First cited as a general shout in the early 1600s (compare ), with the affirmative sense first cited to 1774.

Interjection

 * 1)  yes; okay; understood, got it; here, present; right, so ; uh-huh
 * 2)  no ; agree
 * 3)  sorry? (What did you say?)
 * 4)   go, start; stop, time's up (expressing a timing)
 * 1)  no ; agree
 * 2)  sorry? (What did you say?)
 * 3)   go, start; stop, time's up (expressing a timing)
 * 1)  sorry? (What did you say?)
 * 2)   go, start; stop, time's up (expressing a timing)
 * 1)   go, start; stop, time's up (expressing a timing)

Usage notes
Used in a variety of contexts, including:
 * “present” – when calling attendance
 * “go ahead” – when a car or truck is backing up; often said deeply with extended ‘a’ sound as in
 * “yes, I understand what you are saying (but don’t necessarily agree)”

Interjection

 * 1)  hello