In English, you use “yes” and “no” and know everything in between.
But in French, for you, it’s more difficult to add nuances.
Here, on a platter, are 23 ways to say yes and no.
Yes
Yes / yes yes (familiar)
Example :
Are you hurrying?
Yes, yes.
Yeah (familiar) / Yep (young familiar)
Example :
How about a movie?
Yeah.
Absolutely (young familiar)
Example :
We’re going to Morocco this summer, are you coming?
Absolutely!
Absolutely = indeed (formal: used to confirm) (=indeed)
Example :
Is it true that you’re a cook?
Absolutely.
Volontiers = With pleasure (formal: used to say that we want something: a thing or a service) (=gladly)
Example :
Can I get you a coffee?
Can I help you with your suitcase?
Wine?
Gladly
Yes, thank you. / Yes, please.
Example :
Can I have another pour for you?
Yes, thank you.
Of course = Obviously = Certainly (=of course)
Example :
Still up for windsurfing lessons?
Of course!
Ok = Agreed
Example :
Ice cream?
Okay!
If (in response to a negative question)
Example :
You don’t like pasta?
Yes.
No
No / no no
Never
Example :
Are you sure you don’t want to try bungee jumping?
Never.
Nan (familiar) (=nope)
Example :
Do you want some ice cream to console yourself?
No.
Out of the question
Example :
Can I give your son a cigarette?
No way.
Forget it (familiar)
Example :
Will you give me 500€?
Forget it
No way.
Example :
Do you mind if I sit here?
Not at all.
Impossible.
Example :
Can we schedule another meeting on Monday?
Impossible, I’m on vacation.
So, did you like it? Yes? No? 🙂
Geraldine
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