Sometimes when you are speaking with your Spanish native friends you might want to show off your Spanish but you don’t know how to. Saying YES in Spanish is one of the most common things that do need to know if you are learning Spanish, it is important because human beings says YES at least 30 times a day, sometimes even more.

 

In this post I will teach you ten different ways to say ¡Sí! In Spanish, all of them are accepted in the Spanish vocabulary and are used by millions of Spanish speakers around the world. Bear in mind that I am Spanish teacher from Spain. These examples might not be applicable to the different countries in Latin America such as Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, etc. 

 

Are you ready? / ¿Estás preparado/a?

 

10. ¡Ajá!

 

Wow Vicente! That is too short and looks very informal! Yes, it is informal. ¡Ajá! Is one of the laziest ways to say ¡Sí! in Spanish, I use ¡Ajá! when I am lying on my couch and I do not really want to move. Your friend can ask you in a lazy day:

 

¿Quieres una pizza? + ¡Ajá! (without moving too much).

 

For example:

 

  • ¡Oye! ¿Has comprado unas cervezas para esta noche?
  • ¡Ajá!

 

9. ¡Vale!

 

¡Vale! Is, probably, one of the most common ways to say ¡Sí! in Spanish. Absolutely everyone in Spain uses ¡Vale!, everyone! From me and my Friends when we are having some beers to Mariano Rajoy (the President) when is speaking with other politicians. ¡Vale! is accepted for everyone and know from North to South, here you have an example:

 

  • ¿Quieres un café?
  • ¡Vale!

 

8. ¡Ok!

 

¡Ok! Is the most international way to say ¡Sí! you can use ¡Ok! In Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Argentina, Japan and basically, everywhere. This is a informal way to say ¡Sí! but everyone will understand you if you use it. For example:

  • ¿Quieres que te compre algo de comer?
  • ¡Ok!

 

7. ¿Por qué no?

 

¿Por qué no? Is a question but at the same time is an answer, basically means ¡Sí! and everybody uses when the answer to the question is obvious and there was not any reason do a question. Think about the next example; you are having a dinner for first time with your parents in law and you ask them.

 

  • ¿Puede coger más patatas, por favor?
  • ¿Por qué no?

 

They are not asking you anything they basically are telling you that there is no reason you cannot take more patatas.

 

6. ¡Cómo no!

 

Yes, this one is more formal than the others, we are being polite now if you use this expression. ¡Cómo no! Is a way to say: Yes of course, you even have to ask for it! It is formal and if you want to look like the perfect host you have to remember this way to  say ¡Sí!.

 

5. ¡Venga!

 

This expression has lots of meaning but the main one is ¡Sí!. In Spain, from kids to adults use ¡Venga! and is accepted in the whole Spain. If you want to look cool and fresh you have to use it as well. Let´s see an example where you can use it.

 

  • ¿Quieres venir a tomar un café?
  • ¡Venga!

 

4. ¡Claro!

 

¡Claro! means “Of course”. It's a very outright way to say ¡Sí! It is formal but you can use it in informal situations as well, it's a very flexible way to say ¡Sí!

 

3. ¡Dalo por hecho!

 

Wow! This one sounds strange. It is not really strange we use ¡Dalo por hecho! In a formal context but when we are doing a job or something that needs to be completed. For example:

 

  • ¿Puedes hacer este informe?
  • ¡Dalo por hecho!

 

2. ¡Desde luego!

 

If you were waiting for formal ways to say ¡Sí! this is one of them, we use ¡Desde luego! In formal context (mainly) and is known by everyone in Spain. In fact. ¡Desde luego! Is the short way to say: ¡Desde luego que sí! It is a way to say: Of course, yes, with no hesitation. Let's see ¡Desde luego! In an example:

 

  • A veces es un poco antipática.
  • ¡Desde luego!

 

1.  ¡Por supuesto!

 

¡Por supuesto! Is similar to number 4. ¡Claro! Which both mean “of course”. You can use ¡Por supuesto! In a formal way, or informal as well, but we mainly use in a formal way. Basically if you use ¡Por supuesto! You are saying a firm YES!, and there is no way that the other person asks you again.

 

For example:

 

  • ¿Me podría decir la hora, por favor?
  • ¡Por supuesto caballero! Son las ocho y media.

 

I hope you enjoyed this article, I am sure in other countries in Latin America they use different ways to say ¡Sí!. If you are planning to come to Spain (I hope you do) this post is going to be very useful when you talk to people aroun the streets.

 

Before I go; Which of all these ways to say ¡Sí! is your favorite one?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_yKlOzadIU&t=55s


Hero image by Julian Lozano on Unsplash