Yes in Spanish is sí (SEE), written with an accent; no is no, with a short, clean o. In Spain the everyday "OK, sure" is vale (BAH-leh), and claro means of course. Spanish often answers by repeating the verb rather than adding an auxiliary: ¿Vienes? Sí, vengo, are you coming? Yes, I'm coming.
- Yes
- sí
- No
- no
- OK (Spain)
- vale
- Of course
- claro
- Not at all
- para nada
- Level
- A1
Why does sí have an accent?
The accent separates two words that sound identical. Sí with an accent means yes; si without one means if. Spoken Spanish does not care, but a written reply such as "si" on its own reads as a typo, and a Spanish reader will notice.
Sí, quiero.
Yes, I do.
What a couple says at a Spanish wedding.
Si quieres, vamos mañana.
If you want, we'll go tomorrow.
No accent: if.
Creo que sí.
I think so.
Creo que no.
I don't think so.
Espero que sí.
I hope so.
Note the last three: where English says "so", Spanish puts que sí or que no. "Creo así" is a common learner slip that no Spanish speaker would say.
How do Spaniards say OK?
Listen to any conversation in Madrid and you will hear vale every few seconds. It agrees to a plan, closes a phone call, or turns a statement into a question when you tag it on the end. Claro is warmer, and venga (literally "come on") often pairs with it: venga, vale means right then, agreed.
| Spanish | English | Register and region |
|---|---|---|
| Sí | Yes | Neutral; fits anyone |
| Vale | OK, fine | Spain; everyday, friendly or neutral |
| Claro | Sure, of course | Friendly; used everywhere |
| Por supuesto | Of course | Slightly more formal |
| Desde luego | Absolutely, certainly | Emphatic; common in Spain |
| Bueno | Well, OK then | A hesitant or reluctant yes |
| Sí, señora / Sí, señor | Yes, madam / Yes, sir | Formal, or playful between friends |
Here a friend puts off a confession at a summer house in the Basque Country, using vale as a question:
Necesito contarte algo, pero no puedo hacerlo esta noche. Mañana, ¿vale?How do you say no politely in Spanish?
A bare no is not rude in Spanish, and Spaniards use it more directly than many English speakers. Softening comes from what follows it: a reason, a thank-you, or a word about timing. The word no always goes in front of the verb: no tengo coche, I don't have a car.
| Spanish | English | Use |
|---|---|---|
| No | No | Neutral |
| Todavía no | Not yet | Something still to come |
| Ya no | Not any more | Something that has stopped |
| Ahora no | Not now | Putting something off |
| Mejor no | Better not | A gentle refusal |
| Para nada | Not at all | Strong denial |
| ¡Qué va! | Not at all, no way | Spain; casual and very common |
| Ni hablar | Out of the question | Firm; can sound playful |
When a negative word like nunca (never) or nadie (nobody) comes before the verb, the no drops out. A family finds a mysterious note on the kitchen table, and their household robot is the first suspect:
Los números son correctos, pero nadie sabe quién escribió esto.How do you answer a yes-no question in Spanish?
English answers with an auxiliary: yes, I do; no, I can't. Spanish has no such word, so learners who translate "yes, I do" as "sí, hago" are saying "yes, I make". Either answer sí on its own or repeat the main verb.
¿Tienes hermanos? Sí, tengo dos.
Do you have brothers and sisters? Yes, I have two.
¿Te gusta? Sí, mucho.
Do you like it? Yes, a lot.
¿Hablas alemán? No, no hablo alemán.
Do you speak German? No, I don't speak German.
The first no answers; the second negates the verb.
¿Fuiste tú? Yo no.
Was it you? Not me.
That double no, no… looks odd to English eyes but is completely standard. And yo no is the quickest way to deny something, as a dog walker does when asked who left a note under a park bench:
Mateo responde: "No sé. Yo no, perdona".If you did not follow the question in the first place, see how to say I don't understand in Spanish.
Read A1 Spanish stories full of short replies like these, and tap any word to see what it means.
Read free in your browserFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between si and sí?
Sí with an accent means yes. Si without an accent means if, as in si llueve, no voy (if it rains, I'm not going). They sound the same.
Is vale used in Latin America?
It is understood, but it marks you as someone who learned Spain Spanish. Latin American speakers more often say dale, está bien, listo or, in Mexico, sale.
What does sí que mean?
Sí que adds emphasis, like "really" or "definitely": esto sí que es bueno, this really is good. It often contrasts with something said before.
How do you say maybe in Spanish?
Quizás, quizá or tal vez. In conversation, a lo mejor is very common: a lo mejor vamos, maybe we'll go.
What does qué va mean?
In Spain, ¡qué va! is a casual, emphatic no: not at all, no way. ¿Estás cansado? ¡Qué va! means Are you tired? Not at all!