5 Ways to Say Yes in French

Are you learning French and want to expand your vocabulary? Being able to say “yes” in different ways is important when conversing with native speakers. Having a variety of expressions at your disposal can help you sound more fluent and make your conversations more interesting. In this article, we’ll discuss five ways to say yes in French, so you can enhance your language skills and connect with others more effectively.
1. Oui
The most basic and common way to say yes in French is “oui.” It’s an easy-to-remember word that can be used in most situations to express agreement or acceptance. When you’re responding affirmatively to a question or statement, simply say “oui.”
Example:
– Tu veux aller au cinéma ? (Do you want to go to the cinema?)
– Oui ! (Yes!)
2. Ouais
“Ouais” is a more informal way to say yes in French. It’s similar to saying “yeah” in English. You can use this term when talking with friends or in less formal situations. However, avoid using “ouais” in formal or professional settings.
Example:
– T’as aimé le film ? (Did you like the movie?)
– Ouais, c’était cool. (Yeah, it was cool.)
3. D’accord
“D’accord” is another way to say yes in French, and it’s equivalent to saying “okay” or “alright” in English. You can use “d’accord” when agreeing with someone’s suggestion or making plans together.
Example:
– On se retrouve à 19h ? (Shall we meet at 7 pm?)
– D’accord ! (Alright!)
4. Volontiers
If you want to express enthusiasm when accepting an invitation or agreeing with a proposal, use “volontiers.” This term is similar to saying “gladly” or “with pleasure” in English. It’s a polite and elegant way to say yes when you’re happy about the situation.
Example:
– Voulez-vous prendre un café avec nous ? (Would you like to have coffee with us?)
– Volontiers ! (With pleasure!)
5. Bien sûr
Last but not least, “bien sûr” is another way to say yes in French. It’s equivalent to saying “of course” or “certainly” in English. Use “bien sûr” when you want to emphasize your agreement or confirm something without any doubt.
Example:
– Pouvons-nous compter sur votre aide ? (Can we count on your help?)
– Bien sûr ! (Of course!)
In conclusion, familiarizing yourself with different ways of saying yes in French will improve your conversational skills and help you sound more fluent. By using “oui,” “ouais,” “d’accord,” “volontiers,” and “bien sûr,” you’ll be able to express agreement and acceptance in various contexts and levels of formality. Keep practicing, and soon enough, saying yes in French will become second nature!