ναι
nai[ne̞]
The English word "yes" is ναι (nai) in Greek.
ναι is a particle used to indicate agreement or acceptance. It can also function as a noun meaning an answer that shows agreement or acceptance, or as an interjection to express pleasure, joy or great excitement.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Which one should you use?
ναι is the standard way to say yes, whereas όχι is the standard way to say no. While ναι is the default, you might hear νάι in certain regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Crete, locals might say νάι instead of ναι to mean "yes".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
nai
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the Greek word ναι (pronounced nai) with the English word "nay" (meaning no). In Greek, ναι means yes.
Did you know?
- Repeating ναι, ναι can actually change the meaning from enthusiastic agreement to a tone of skepticism or even impatience.
- A Greek speaker might say ναι as a way to keep the conversation flowing, acting as a 'back-channel' signal that they are listening rather than actually agreeing with the point.
- Because ναι can function as an interjection of joy, it is sometimes used in songs and poetry to express a soulful 'yes' to life or love rather than just agreeing to a question.
Examples in context
- Ναι, αυτή είναι σπίτι.Yes, she's at home.This sentence shows the use of ναι to confirm a location.Tatoeba #3143708 by glavkos, translation #3143713 by ddnktr
- Ο Τομ έχει ήδη πει ναι.Tom has already said yes.This sentence uses ναι as the object of the verb to say yes.Tatoeba #5441011 by Zeus, translation #5438400 by CK
- Δεν έχουμε πει ακόμα ναι.We haven't said yes yet.This sentence uses ναι to describe the act of giving an affirmative answer.Tatoeba #5512966 by Zeus, translation #5451979 by CK
- Ναι, ακριβώς. Ευχαριστώ!Yes, exactly. Thank you!
- Ναι, μωρέ, φυσικά!Yeah sure, of course!
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anastasia asks Dimitris if he wants some coffee.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΘέλεις έναν καφέ, Δημήτρη;Thélis énan kafé, Dimítri?Do you want a coffee, Dimitris?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΝαι, παρακαλώ.Nai, parakaló.Yes, please.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΘέλεις και γάλα στον καφέ σου;Thélis kai gála ston kafé sou?Do you want milk in your coffee too?
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΌχι, μόνο μαύρο.Óchi, móno mávro.No, only black.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries ναι, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
