Yes In French: How To Say It In 20 Different Ways

Learning how to say Yes in French is one of the first few lessons when studying the language. However, if you read or listen to a lot of French, you’ll notice that the French don’t always respond with “oui” when asked a question.

Instead, they might say something like “of course,” “yup,” or “maybe,” or phrases like “of course,” or “I agree”. When you’re affirming a negative assertion, there’s even a method to say “yes” in French.

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There are various ways to say Yes in French and each one depends on the situation. Let’s look at the following examples of how to say “yes” in French:

Yes In French: How To Say It In 20 Different Ways

1. The Typical Yes in French

In French, the word “oui” is used to express “yes.” It’s easy to remember and utilize in any situation where you want to give a positive response.

oui – yes

You can say oui in almost any situation that necessitates a positive answer. There’s no sense of formality or informality in this statement because it’s neutral. You can add something to it if you want it to sound particularly courteous or respectful. For example:

Oui, madame/monsieur. – Yes, ma’am/sir.

Oui, s’il vous plait. – Yes, please.

2. The Casual Ways to Say Yes in French

Here are some examples of yeses you may say in a casual context with your French pals.

• D’accord ! – Okay! / Alright!

This is a fantastic alternative to oui because it can be official or casual.

• Ça marche – Okay / Got it / That works for me

This one is a colloquial way of saying “It’s/ok, that’s works for me” in French. The literal translation is “That works.”

• Ça roule – That’s cool. 

This is a less common phrase that implies “It/That Rolls” and a loose translation of the phrase “That’s cool.”

• Carrément – Sure!

3. The Informal Yes

When you’re around close friends, it’s perfectly OK to relax and converse informally. Just be careful speaking them informal settings as these are considered impolite. 

• ouais – yeah
• ouaip – yep
• ouep – yep
• bah oui – yeah

Quep is frequently used to convey a hip vibe. So feel free to use this one if you’re a teenager or just want to add some flair to your French.

Ouais and ouaip are fantastic additions to your oui toolbox, but keep in mind that you should only use them with people you know well, i.e. those with whom you use it.

Even still, these words may offend some individuals. Use ” Oui” to be safe.

4. The Excited Yes

You were overjoyed when you heard a certain question! When it comes to answering yes, how do you show your joy? Exclaim, “Ouah! !” this is like saying Wow!

Ouah! – Yes!/Yay!

5. The obvious Yes

If someone asks you a question that appears self-evident, you could respond by saying:

• Bien sûr (Of course)
• Evidemment (Obviously/Clearly)

Bien sûr can be used in any scenario, while évidemment is more appropriate in formal settings.

6. The “I agree” Yes

If you want to do something but can’t use the informal carrément because you’re in a formal or professional context, try one of the following alternatives:

• Volontiers (Gladly/Willingly)
• Avec plaisir (With pleasure)
• Certainement (Certainly)

7. The Affirmative Yes

You can use one of these (very formal) words to verify that what someone says is correct:

• Exactement (Exactly)
• Tout à fait (That’s right/Precisely)
• En effet (Indeed)

8. The Intellectual Yes in French

You might come across the word certes if you’re reading a French academic paper, article, or literary book. Certes can mean “definitely,” “admittedly,” “of course,” or “to be sure,” depending on the context.

It appears in formal speeches, intellectual debates, and academic lectures, even though it is not often employed in everyday spoken French. It can also be found in formal or academic writing.

Do you want to learn how to say no in French instead? Here’s our quick guide on how to say no in French in different situations.

Want to learn more French phrases? Check out our language guides below:

• How To Order In Restaurants In French
• Ways To Say Wow In French
• Please In French : Ways On How To Say It
• 10+ Ways To Say No Problem In French
• No In French: How To Say It In 20+ Different Ways