Yes in French: 10 Common Ways to Say Yes Naturally

If you’re learning French, one of the first words you need is “yes in French.”
The most common answer is oui, but French speakers use many different words depending on tone, formality, and context.

Below are 10 common ways to say yes in French, with pronunciation and real usage tips.

Note: you might want to use our Avatalks’s interactive 3D tool to Master French alphabet and pronunciation.

1. Oui — The Standard Yes

• Meaning: Yes
• Pronunciation: wee (/wi/)
• Use: Neutral, polite, works everywhere

Example:
Tu veux un café ? — Oui, merci.
(Do you want a coffee? — Yes, thank you.)

2. Ouais — Casual “Yeah”

• Meaning: Yeah
• Pronunciation: weh
• Use: Informal, used with friends

Example:
On sort ce soir ? — Ouais.
(Going out tonight? — Yeah.)

3. Ouaip — Playful “Yep”

• Meaning: Yep
• Pronunciation: wehp
• Use: Very casual, friendly tone

Example:
T’as compris ? — Ouaip.
(Did you understand? — Yep.)

4. Si — The Contradictory Yes

• Meaning: Yes (used to contradict a negative)
• Pronunciation: see
• Use: Only after negative questions

Example:
Tu n’aimes pas le fromage ? — Si !
(You don’t like cheese? — Yes, I do!)

5. Bien sûr — “Of Course”

• Meaning: Of course
• Pronunciation: byen syur
• Use: Polite, confident agreement

Example:
Je peux entrer ? — Bien sûr.
(Can I come in? — Of course.)

6. D’accord — “OK / Agreed”

• Meaning: OK, agreed
• Pronunciation: da-kor
• Use: Neutral agreement

Example:
On se voit à 8h ? — D’accord.
(See you at 8? — OK.)

7. C’est bon — “All Good”

• Meaning: That’s fine / OK
• Pronunciation: say bon
• Use: Everyday situations

Example:
On se retrouve ici ? — C’est bon.
(Shall we meet here? — That works.)

8. Évidemment — “Obviously”

• Meaning: Obviously
• Pronunciation: eh-vee-dah-mahn
• Use: Confident or slightly emphatic yes

Example:
Tu viens avec nous ? — Évidemment.
(Are you coming with us? — Obviously.)

9. Avec plaisir — “With Pleasure”

• Meaning: Gladly / With pleasure
• Pronunciation: ah-vek pleh-zeer
• Use: Polite, friendly acceptance

Example:
Tu veux nous aider ? — Avec plaisir.
(Do you want to help us? — Gladly.)

10. Carrément — “Definitely”

• Meaning: Definitely
• Pronunciation: ka-ray-mahn
• Use: Informal, enthusiastic yes

Example:
Ce film est génial ! — Carrément !
(This movie is great! — Totally!)

Quick Summary: Yes in French

Final Tip

To sound natural in French, don’t rely on only “oui.”
Match your “yes” to the situation:

• Formal: oui, bien sûr, avec plaisir
• Casual: ouais, carrément, c’est bon
• Negative question: always use si

Mastering these variations will make your French sound natural and confident.