no, yo sí
/ˈno ˈʝo ˈsi/word by word
The Spanish phrase for "no, I do" is no, yo sí.
Use this phrase to contradict a negative statement by asserting that you actually perform the action being discussed.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "no, I yes".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this construction, sí acts as an emphatic particle used to provide a positive contrast to a preceding negative statement. This replaces the need for an English-style auxiliary verb like "do".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈno ˈʝo ˈsi/
Did you know?
- While no, yo sí is a contradiction, using sí in response to a negative question in Spanish actually means 'yes, I do', which often confuses English speakers who expect 'no' to agree with the negative.
- In Spanish, sí can be a reflexive pronoun meaning 'himself', 'herself' or 'itself', which is a separate meaning from the 'yes' used in this phrase.
- The word sí can be traced back to the Latin 'sīc', meaning 'thus' or 'in this manner', which explains its use as an emphatic tool.
Examples in context
- No, yo sí quiero ir a la fiesta.No, I do want to go to the party.
- Él no tiene hambre, pero no, yo sí.He isn't hungry, but no, I am.
- Tú no sabes cocinar, ¿verdad? No, yo sí sé.You don't know how to cook, right? No, I do.
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about eating vegetables.
- MaríaNadie en mi casa come brócoli.Nobody in my house eats broccoli.
- JavierNo, yo sí como brócoli.No, I do eat broccoli.
- María¿De verdad te gusta?Do you really like it?
- JavierSí, me encanta.Yes, I love it.
