yes, no.

Hai: Yes

Pronunciation : its similar to the greeting ‘hi’

Hear it : In response to a yes/no question; when you get someone’s attention; all the time from shopkeepers; peppered throughout a conversation while the other person is talking. 

Say it : In response to a yes/no question; if you understand enough of what someone said that you want to agree to them.

iie: No

Pronunciation : spell ‘eat’, but stop before the ‘t’. Like the letter ‘E’ followed by the letter ‘A’.

Hear it : Not that often, the Japanese are seldom direct enough to say this a lot.

Say it : If someone seems to be offering you something you don’t want. Any situation in which you want to say ‘no’. It would usually be a good idea to follow this with ‘sumimasen’.

Good thing I am up to 4 words in preparation for the big move!