How to Say Yes in Spanish
How to say yes in Spanish: 'Sí' (see), with the accent. Learn the crucial sí vs si difference, plus claro, por supuesto and other ways to agree. Pronunciation guide.
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Quick answer
To say yes in Spanish, say 'Sí' (pronounced 'see'), always written with an accent over the 'i'. That accent matters: 'sí' (with accent) means 'yes,' while 'si' (no accent) means 'if.' For an emphatic yes, use 'Claro' (of course) or 'Por supuesto' (absolutely).
Sí
/see/ — Spanish
How to Say Yes in Spanish
It doesn’t get more essential than “yes,” and in Spanish it’s beautifully simple: Sí, pronounced see. There’s just one written detail that trips people up — the accent mark — and one or two ways to make your “yes” more emphatic.
The Essential Word: Sí
Sí — pronounced see (like the English word “see”)
That’s it. One short, clean syllable. Use it to agree, confirm, or answer affirmatively:
- — ¿Hablas español? — Sí. — “Do you speak Spanish?” “Yes.”
- Sí, gracias. — Yes, thank you.
- Sí, por favor. — Yes, please.
Copy the Phrase
The Spanish for “yes” is Sí (see).
The All-Important Accent: Sí vs. Si
This is the single most important thing to get right in writing:
| Word | Accent? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| sí | yes (´) | yes | Sí, quiero. (Yes, I want to.) |
| si | no accent | if | Si quieres. (If you want.) |
Both are pronounced “see,” but only sí (with the accent) means “yes.” Drop the accent and you’ve written “if” instead — a classic mistake. Always put the accent on the i when you mean yes.
Ways to Say Yes (and Emphatic Yes)
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sí | see | Yes |
| Sí, claro | see KLAH-ro | Yes, of course |
| Claro | KLAH-ro | Of course / sure |
| Claro que sí | KLAH-ro keh see | Of course (emphatic) |
| Por supuesto | por soo-PWES-toh | Absolutely / certainly |
| Desde luego | DES-deh LWEH-go | Certainly / of course |
| Vale / Está bien | BAH-leh / es-TAH bee-EN | Okay (yes, fine) |
| Exacto | ek-SAK-toh | Exactly / yes (agreeing) |
| Así es | ah-SEE es | That’s right |
For an enthusiastic, no-doubt “yes,” ¡Por supuesto que sí! or ¡Claro que sí! are warm and natural.
Formal vs. Informal
The lovely thing about sí is that it’s completely neutral — it works with strangers, bosses, children and friends alike, formal or informal. The same is true of claro, por supuesto and desde luego. There’s no separate formal word for “yes,” so you never have to worry about register here.
Pronunciation & Cultural Tips
- Sí is just “see” — one clean vowel, no extra sounds.
- To sound natural, Spanish speakers often soften a plain “yes” with a follow-up: Sí, claro, Sí, por favor, or Sí, sí (a friendly double “yes”).
- Repetition for emphasis is common: ¡Sí, sí, sí! shows excitement or strong agreement.
- Don’t confuse it with the reflexive sí in fixed phrases like en sí (in itself) — context always makes the meaning obvious, and as a one-word answer it’s purely “yes.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say yes in Spanish?
Yes in Spanish is 'Sí', pronounced 'see' (like the English word 'see'). It's always written with an accent mark over the 'i'. For a stronger yes, you can say 'Claro' (of course), 'Por supuesto' (absolutely), or 'Sí, claro'.
How do you pronounce Sí?
Say it 'see' — exactly like the English word 'see' or the letter 'C'. It's a single short syllable with a clean 'ee' vowel. There's no special trick; it's one of the easiest Spanish words to pronounce.
What is the difference between sí and si in Spanish?
The accent changes the meaning. 'Sí' (with an accent on the i) means 'yes'. 'Si' (no accent) means 'if', as in 'si quieres' (if you want). They're pronounced the same way but mean completely different things — the accent is essential in writing.
Does Sí have any other meanings in Spanish?
Yes — beyond 'yes', 'sí' also appears as a reflexive pronoun meaning 'himself/herself/themselves' in phrases like 'en sí' (in itself) and 'por sí mismo' (by oneself). But as a standalone answer, 'Sí' simply means 'yes'.
How do you say 'yes, of course' or emphatic yes in Spanish?
Strong, enthusiastic yeses include 'Claro' or 'Claro que sí' (of course), 'Por supuesto' (absolutely/certainly), '¡Por supuesto que sí!' (definitely yes!), 'Desde luego' (certainly), and 'Vale' / 'Está bien' for 'okay, yes'.