Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| sí | /ˈsi/ |
| sí pues | /si pwes/ (from spelling rules) |
The word sí is a particle used to indicate agreement or acceptance. It can also function as a noun meaning "an affirmative answer" or as an interjection to express pleasure, joy or great excitement.
Which one should you use?
The form sí pues is used to say "well yes" or "yeah, well", often expressing a somewhat reluctant or resigned agreement. It is important to note that sí must include the accent mark. The word si without the accent means "if".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word Vale is commonly used to mean "okay" or "all right". In Latin America, Dale is used to mean "okay" or "go ahead".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using sí as a noun to mean "the affirmative answer", it is preceded by the masculine article el (el sí).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not omit the accent mark when writing "yes". Using si instead of sí changes the meaning to "if".
Did you know?
- While sí means 'yes', Spanish speakers often answer 'yes' to a negative question by using no if they are disagreeing with the negative premise.
- The Spanish word sí shares an ancestral root with the English word 'self', as both stem from Indo-European concepts of the reflexive.
- In some dialects, repeating sí, sí rapidly can actually signal impatience or skepticism rather than enthusiastic agreement.
Examples in context
- ¿Eso es un sí?Is that a yes?This sentence is useful for asking if a response is an affirmative sí.Tatoeba #9704213 by Shishir, translation #7812408 by Hybrid
- Ya dije que sí.I already said yes.This sentence is useful for stating that one has already given a sí.Tatoeba #4563306 by DarkHollow, translation #4562442 by Hybrid
- Di que sí y ya.Just say yes.This sentence is useful for telling someone to simply say sí.Tatoeba #4566620 by cueyayotl, translation #2549760 by CK
- ¿Está disponible para la reunión mañana? Sí, desde luego. Estoy disponible.Are you available for the meeting tomorrow? Yes, certainly. I am available.
- ¿Quieres salir a cenar esta noche? Sí, claro. ¡Me encantaría!Do you want to go out to dinner tonight? Yes, of course. I would love to!
- ¿Puedes completar este informe para mañana? Dale, no hay problema.Can you complete this report by tomorrow? Sure, no problem.
- 394 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are deciding whether to order pizza.
- Javier¿Quieres pedir pizza hoy?Do you want to order pizza today?
- LucíaSí, me parece una buena idea.Yes, that sounds like a good idea to me.
- Javier¿Pedimos la de pepperoni?Should we order the pepperoni one?
- LucíaSí, por favor.Yes, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries sí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pues, sí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
