−·−− · ··· / ·− −· −·· / −· −−−
"Yes and No" in Morse code is −·−− · ··· / ·− −· −·· / −· −−−.
Leave a short gap between letters and a longer gap between words. In writing, letters are separated by a space and words by a slash. At standard timing a dot lasts one unit, a dash three units, the gap inside a letter one unit, the gap between letters three units and the gap between words seven. "Yes and No" takes 81 units, about 4.9 seconds at a speed of 20 words per minute.
Meaning: Morse code for "Yes and No" (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Letter by letter: Y is −·−−, E is ·, S is ···, A is ·−, N is −·, D is −·· and O is −−−.
How do you pronounce it?
dah-di-dah-dah dit di-di-dit / di-dah dah-dit dah-di-dit / dah-dit dah-dah-dah
What mistakes should you avoid?
Keep the gaps between letters. Without them, Y −·−− can be read as T and W − ·−−, which changes the message.
When do people say it?
Operators shorten common replies: R means "received", TU means "thank you" and FB means "fine business", or "great".
Did you know?
- Experienced operators hear whole words as rhythms instead of counting dots and dashes, the way a reader sees words instead of letters.
- Ships stopped relying on Morse code for distress calls in 1999, when the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System took over.
