These levels, called keigo the language of respect , are an important element of Japanese society which most Japanese learn at a very early age. I realized an effective parallel could be drawn here to help students master the English negative question, because negative questions in English are more polite than direct positive questions. The answer will be the same in both cases, but the second is less confrontational and therefore more polite. The sky is blue. Yes, it is.
Fish can swim.
Yes, they can. Hitachi is an American company. No, it isn t 4. Dogs can talk. No, they can t.