ouaip
/wɛp/France
In French, yep is expressed through several informal forms such as ouaip, moui and voui ouin.
Meaning: informal "yes" (intj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ouaip | /wɛp/ | France |
| moui | ||
| voui ouin | Quebec |
Which one should you use?
The term ouaip is a direct, informal way to say 'yes'. In contrast, moui is often used when the speaker wants to express a 'yes' that contains a hint of doubt, hesitation or sarcasm.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form ouaip is highly informal and slangy. It should be avoided in professional settings. Other informal variations include ouais and ouep.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the colloquial form voui ouin is used to mean 'yep'.
How do you pronounce it?
/wɛp/
Did you know?
- The word ouin found in Quebecois expressions is an onomatopoeia based on the sound of a cry.
- The French 'yep' is much riskier than its English counterpart. While 'yep' is casual, using ouaip in a professional French setting can make you appear unintentionally childish or even rude.
- The French term ouaip is so informal that it is often considered an onomatopoeia rather than a proper word. It mimics the actual sound of a quick, nasalized agreement.
Examples in context
- Tu viens à la soirée ? – Ouais !Are you coming to the party? – Yep!
- On se voit demain ? – Sûr !Shall we meet tomorrow? – Sure!
- As-tu fini tes devoirs ? – Ouais, je les ai terminés hier soir.Have you finished your homework? – Yep, I finished them last night.
- Ouaip, c'est ça.Yep, that's it.
- Ouaip, je serai là à huit heures.Yep, I'll be there at eight.
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are checking if the shopping list is complete.
- ChloéTu as pris le pain ?Did you get the bread?
- NathanOuaip, je l'ai dans le sac.Yep, I have it in the bag.
- ChloéEt pour le lait ?And for the milk?
- NathanOuaip, on a tout.Yep, we have everything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yep” translations and entries ouaip, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ouaip, ouin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
