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