sí
/ˈsi/
The English phrase 'yea' can be translated into Spanish as sí.
There are several informal ways to express agreement or similar sentiments in Spanish. You can use Sí, claro informally to express agreement or combine sí with vale to say sí, vale for 'okay' or 'alright'. For stronger emphasis, ¡Claro que sí! can be used to mean 'of course!' or 'definitely!'
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word Venga is used casually to mean 'yeah' or 'let's do it'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsi/
Did you know?
- While sí means 'yes', Spanish speakers often answer 'yes' to a negative question by saying no if they are disagreeing with the negative premise.
- The word sí has two completely different origins in Spanish. One version means 'yes' and comes from the Latin 'sīc', while the other refers to 'oneself' and comes from the Latin 'sibi'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a quick upward flick of the head or a slight nod often accompanies sí to reinforce agreement without needing to speak.
Examples in context
- -Sí… – siguió Dima, hablando sobre todo consigo mismo- Es como si el autor de mi historia se hubiera metido en alguna discusión estúpida, se hubiera retirado a Fiji y hubiera dejado que me pudriera aquí."Yea…" Dima continued, talking mostly to himself. "It's as if the author of my story got into some stupid argument, retired to Fiji, and just left me here to rot."This sentence shows how sí is used when someone is talking to themselves.Tatoeba #834787 by Shishir, translation #813755 by FeuDRenais2
- Sí, volvería a Dios, que estuviera entre las rosas, que me inclinase para besarte a medida que flotas entre ellas, Mientras que en la rama más baja está un brote sin cerrar Un brote sin cerrar, para tocarte, mi reina.Yea, would to God, I were among the roses, That lean to kiss you as you float between While on the lowest branch a bud uncloses A bud uncloses, to touch you, my queen.This sentence demonstrates the use of sí in a poetic context.Tatoeba #5000960 by albrusgher, translation #915884 by Buacity10
- Sí, de acuerdo.Yea, agreed.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- Sofía¿Quieres pizza para cenar, Daniel?Do you want pizza for dinner, Daniel?
- DanielSí, me parece perfecto.Yea, sounds perfect to me.
- Sofía¡Genial! Voy a pedirla ahora.Great! I'm going to order it now.
- DanielGracias, Sofía.Thanks, Sofia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
