oui
/wi/
oui is the French word for yes.
oui is a word used to give a positive answer or to agree with a statement.
Which one should you use?
While oui is used to agree with a positive statement or to answer a positive question, you should use si if you want to say 'yes' to contradict a negative statement or question. For example, if someone asks, 'You aren't coming?' you would respond with si to mean 'Yes, I am!'
How do you pronounce it?
/wi/
Did you know?
- Historically, the French language was divided into the langue d'oïl in the north and the langue d'oc in the south, named after the different words those regions used for 'yes'.
- The word oui might actually be a combination of the Old French word o, an affirmative particle, and il, meaning 'he'.
- Because oui can sound very brief, French speakers often add mais oui to express that something is 'of course' or 'obviously' true.
Examples in context
- Oui, je comprends.Yes, I understand.
- Est-ce que tu viens ? Oui !Are you coming? Yes!
- Oui, c'est très bon.Yes, it is very good.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are deciding if they should go to a café.
- LucasTu veux aller au café ?Do you want to go to the café?
- ChloéOui, j'aimerais beaucoup.Yes, I would love to.
- LucasOn y va maintenant ?Shall we go now?
- ChloéOui, partons !Yes, let's go!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oui, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oui, CC BY-SA 4.0.
