sí
/ˈsi/
The English phrase 'yes' is translated into Spanish as sí. Wiktionary also lists sí pues.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| sí | /ˈsi/ |
| sí pues | /si pwes/ (from spelling rules) |
Sí is the most common and basic way to say 'yes' in Spanish. It can function as a particle to indicate agreement or acceptance, or as a noun meaning an affirmative answer. It can also be used as an interjection to express pleasure, joy or great excitement.
Which one should you use?
To show enthusiastic agreement, you can expand sí into the phrase sí, claro, which means 'yes, of course'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When sí is used as a noun meaning 'the affirmative answer', it is preceded by the masculine article el (el sí).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsi/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a reflexive pronoun sí meaning 'himself' or 'herself' which is spelled exactly like the word for 'yes'.
- While 'sí' is an affirmative, the word si without an accent mark means 'if'. This tiny change in spelling completely alters the word from a confirmation to a conditional statement.
- In certain regional dialects, particularly in parts of the Caribbean, a very short, clipped sí can sometimes sound more like a dismissive 'yeah, right' than a genuine agreement.
Examples in context
- ¿Eso es un sí?Is that a yes?This sentence is useful for asking if an answer is sí.Tatoeba #9704213 by Shishir, translation #7812408 by Hybrid
- Ya dije que sí.I already said yes.This sentence is useful for stating that you already said sí.Tatoeba #4563306 by DarkHollow, translation #4562442 by Hybrid
- Di que sí y ya.Just say yes.This sentence is useful for telling someone to just say sí.Tatoeba #4566620 by cueyayotl, translation #2549760 by CK
- ¿Puedo acompañarte? – Sí, claro.– Can I accompany you? – Yes, of course.
- ¿Podría hacerme un favor? – Desde luego, con gusto.– Could you do me a favor? – Of course, gladly.
- ¿Le gustaría tomar algo? – Por supuesto, muchas gracias.– Would you like something to drink? – Of course, thank you very much.
- ¿Vamos al cine esta noche? – Sí, claro. ¡Me encantaría!– Shall we go to the movies tonight? – Yes, of course. I would love to!
- ¿Quieres ir a la fiesta conmigo? – ¡Por supuesto! No me lo perdería por nada.– Do you want to go to the party with me? – Of course! I wouldn't miss it for anything.
- ¿Sabes cocinar? – ¡Claro que sí! Soy un experto en la cocina.– Can you cook? – Of course! I'm an expert in the kitchen.
- ¿Quieres venir con nosotros al partido? – Vale, me apunto.– Do you want to come with us to the game? – Yes, count me in.
- 394 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are deciding if they should go to the park.
- María¿Quieres ir al parque hoy?Do you want to go to the park today?
- MateoSí, me encantaría.Yes, I would love to.
- María¿Está bien si nos vemos a las cinco?Is it okay if we meet at five?
- MateoSí, nos vemos luego.Yes, see you later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries sí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
