bəli
[ˈbæ(ː)li]
In Azerbaijani, 'yes' can be expressed as bəli or hə.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Ways to say it
| Azerbaijani | IPA |
|---|---|
| bəli | [ˈbæ(ː)li] (narrow) |
| hə |
Both forms are used as particles to indicate agreement or acceptance. Bəli is the standard way to answer 'yes' to a direct question in professional or respectful settings, while hə is the most common way to say 'yes' in everyday spoken Azerbaijani among peers.
Which one should you use?
Bəli is the more formal option used in official, polite or written contexts. In contrast, hə is an informal form used in casual conversation with friends or family.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In rural areas, locals might say ha instead of bəli.
Did you know?
- The formal word bəli is actually a loanword from Persian, rather than having a Turkic origin.
- While hə means 'yes', it can be used as a questioning particle at the end of a sentence to seek confirmation, similar to the English 'right?'
- Depending on the tone, hə? can sound like a challenge or a request for repetition, shifting the meaning from 'yes' to 'what?'
Examples in context
- Hə, bu doğru cavabdır.Yes, it is the correct answer.The sentence is useful for showing how to use hə to confirm a correct answer.Tatoeba #13645738 by Nicat, translation #3924632 by robbieheslop
- Bəli, bu mənim lüğətimdir.Yes, this is my dictionary.The sentence demonstrates the use of bəli in a standard sentence.Tatoeba #4090345 by vertigo93, translation #1766707 by AlanF_US
- "Səyahət etməyi sevirsən?" "Hə.""Do you like to travel?" "Yes."The sentence shows how hə can be used as a standalone response in conversation.Tatoeba #2837287 by Nicat, translation #1506911 by CM
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gunay and Kamran are discussing if they are ready for the meeting.
- GunayHazırsınız?Are you ready?
- KamranBəli, mən hazıram.Yes, I am ready.
- GunayYaxşı, onda başlayaq.Okay, let's start then.
- KamranOldu.Alright.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries bəli, hə, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bəli, hə, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
