sim
/ˈsĩ/
The English word 'yes' is translated into Portuguese as sim.
The word sim is primarily used as a particle to indicate agreement or to answer yes to a question. It can also function as a noun meaning 'an affirmative' or 'a yes'. To express that something is certain, you can use Com certeza (certainly or for sure).
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Which one should you use?
While sim is the standard way to say yes, its opposite is não (no). When you want to express excitement or great pleasure, you might use sim!, é! or assim! instead of a simple agreement.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal contexts, such as official procedures or radio communication, afirmativo is used instead of sim to mean 'affirmative'. You can also use the formal word decerto to mean 'indeed'. For informal situations, you might say Sim, claro to mean 'yes, of course'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsĩ/
Did you know?
- While sim is the standard affirmative, you might hear people say Pois não when they actually mean 'Yes, please' or 'How can I help you?' in a service context.
- In Brazil, a head shake that looks like 'no' can sometimes accompany the word sim when the speaker is emphasizing a point or showing a specific type of agreement.
- The word sim actually traces its roots back to the Latin word sīc, which means 'thus' or 'in this manner', rather than just a simple 'yes'.
Examples in context
- Isso é um sim?Is that a yes?This sentence is useful for asking if a specific instance is a sim.Tatoeba #8539208 by Ricardo14, translation #7812408 by Hybrid
- O Tom disse sim.Tom said yes.This sentence shows how to use sim as the object of a sentence.Tatoeba #6781009 by Ricardo14, translation #4394831 by CK
- Ele já disse sim.He has already said yes.This sentence demonstrates the use of sim to indicate an action has already occurred.Tatoeba #384804 by brauliobezerra, translation #290307 by CK
- 403 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas asks Mariana if she wants to go to the cinema.
- LucasVocê quer ir ao cinema?Do you want to go to the cinema?
- MarianaSim, eu quero!Yes, I want to!
- LucasPodemos ir agora?Can we go now?
- MarianaSim, vamos.Yes, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries sim, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sim, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
