Yes in Different Languages is a simple yet powerful word that connects cultures. Are you Struggling to learn it worldwide? Let’s explore 242+ translations together!
Understanding how to express “YES” in various languages enriches our appreciation of different cultures and emphasizes the universal importance of family and relationships.
“YES” is one of the most essential and universally understood expressions of agreement, affirmation, or confirmation.
Across countless languages and cultures, people use variations of this simple term to indicate consent, understanding, and a positive response to a question or request.
Understanding how to say “yes” in different languages enhances your communication ability when travelling or learning a new tongue. It deepens your appreciation for the richness and diversity of human expression.
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of ways to say “yes” in various languages, along with pronunciation guides and examples, to help you gain insight into how positivity is conveyed worldwide.
Why Learning “YES” in Different Languages Matters
The word “yes” is one of the simplest, yet most universally recognized expressions of agreement, acceptance, or affirmation.
Learning to say “yes” in multiple languages is not just a matter of expanding your vocabulary; it’s about building bridges between people and cultures.
When you know how to respond positively in the language of the person you are speaking with, you signal openness, respect, and a willingness to engage.
This small but significant gesture can foster goodwill, create more comfortable communication, and pave the way for deeper conversations.
Whether traveling, working in a global environment, or forging new friendships, understanding the nuances of “yes” helps overcome language barriers, encourages mutual understanding, and enriches your overall cultural experience.
Saying “YES” in European Languages
Western European Languages
- English: Yes (pronounced yehs)
- French: Oui (pronounced wee)
- German: Ja (pronounced yah)
- Spanish: Sí (pronounced see)
- Italian: Sì (pronounced see)
- Portuguese: Sim (pronounced seem)
- Dutch: Ja (pronounced yah)
- Catalan: Sí (pronounced see)
Northern European Languages
- Swedish: Ja (pronounced yah)
- Danish: Ja (pronounced yah)
- Norwegian: Ja (pronounced yah)
- Finnish: Kyllä (pronounced KYL-lah)
- Icelandic: Já (pronounced yau)
Eastern European Languages
- Russian: Да (da)
- Polish: Tak (pronounced tahk)
- Czech: Ano (pronounced AH-noh)
- Hungarian: Igen (pronounced EE-gen)
- Ukrainian: Так (tak)
- Slovak: Áno (pronounced AH-noh)
- Bulgarian: Да (da)
- Serbian: Да (da)
- Croatian: Da (da)
- Slovenian: Da (da)
Celtic Languages
- Irish Gaelic: Tá (pronounced tah)
- Scottish Gaelic: Tha (pronounced hah)
- Welsh: Ie (pronounced yeh)
Other European Languages
- Basque: Bai (pronounced bye)
- Maltese: Iva (pronounced EE-vah)
- Albanian: Po (pronounced poh)
- Greek: Ναι (nai, pronounced neh)
Saying “YES” in Asian Languages
East Asian Languages
- Chinese (Mandarin): 是 (shì, pronounced shrr) or 对 (duì, pronounced dway, meaning “correct”)
- Chinese (Cantonese): 係 (hai, pronounced high) for “yes” in response; often 好呀 (hóu a, “okay”) used colloquially
- Japanese: はい (hai, pronounced high)
- Korean: 네 (ne, pronounced neh), 예 (ye, pronounced yeh) both mean “yes”
South Asian Languages
- Hindi: हाँ (hā̃, pronounced haan)
- Bengali: হ্যাঁ (hyā̃, pronounced hyã)
- Tamil: ஆமாம் (āmām, pronounced aa-maam)
- Telugu: అవును (avunu, pronounced ah-voo-noo)
- Gujarati: હા (hā, pronounced haa)
- Punjabi: ਹਾਂ (hā̃, pronounced haan)
- Urdu: ہاں (hā̃, pronounced haan)
Southeast Asian Languages
- Thai: ใช่ (châi, pronounced chai)
- Vietnamese: Vâng (pronounced vuhng) or Dạ (pronounced ya)
- Indonesian: Ya (pronounced yah)
- Malay: Ya (pronounced yah)
- Filipino (Tagalog): Oo (pronounced oh-oh)
- Cebuano: Oo (pronounced oh-oh)
- Khmer (Cambodian): បាទ (baat, pronounced baat for male speakers) / ចាស (caah, pronounced chaah for female speakers)
- Burmese (Myanmar): ဟုတ်ကဲ့ (hout ke, pronounced hoht-keh)
Central Asian Languages
- Kazakh: Иә (pronounced iya)
- Uzbek: Ha (pronounced ha)
- Turkmen: Hawa (pronounced ha-wa)
- Tajik: Ҳа (pronounced ha)
Saying “YES” in Middle-Eastern Languages
- Arabic: نعم (naʿam, pronounced nah-am) or إي (ʾī, pronounced ee, in some dialects)
- Hebrew: כן (ken, pronounced ken)
- Persian (Farsi): بله (baleh, pronounced bah-leh)
- Turkish: Evet (pronounced eh-vet)
- Kurdish (Sorani): بەلێ (belê, pronounced beh-leh)
Saying “YES” in African Languages
- Swahili: Ndiyo (pronounced n-DEE-yoh)
- Zulu: Yebo (pronounced yeh-boh)
- Afrikaans: Ja (pronounced yah)
- Amharic: አዎ (awo, pronounced ah-woh)
- Yoruba: Bẹẹni (pronounced beh-eh-nee)
- Igbo: Ee (pronounced eh-eh)
- Hausa: I (pronounced ee)
- Somali: Haa (pronounced hah)
Saying “YES” in Austronesian Languages
- Filipino (Tagalog): Oo (pronounced oh-oh)
- Cebuano: Oo (pronounced oh-oh)
- Maori: Āe (pronounced ah-eh)
- Hawaiian: ʻAe (pronounced ah-eh)
- Javanese: Ya (pronounced yah)
- Malagasy: Eny (pronounced eh-nee)
Saying “YES” in Indigenous Languages
Native American Languages
- Navajo: Aoo’ (pronounced ah-oh) – a strong “yes”
- Quechua: Arí (pronounced ah-ree)
Australian Aboriginal Languages
- Pitjantjatjara: Ngi (pronounced ngi)
More Translations of YES in Different Languages
Understanding how to express “yes” in various languages can deepen your appreciation for cultural contexts and historical significance. Here’s a comprehensive list:
Amharic (Ethiopia): አዎ (pronounced ah-woh)
Georgian: დიახ (pronounced dee-akh) or კი (pronounced ki)
Mongolian: Тийм (pronounced teem)
Nepali: हो (pronounced ho)
Sinhala (Sri Lanka): ඔව් (pronounced ov)
Estonian: Jah (pronounced yah)
Latvian: Jā (pronounced yah)
Lithuanian: Taip (pronounced type)
Macedonian: Да (pronounced da)
Armenian: այո (pronounced ayo)
Bosnian: Da (pronounced da)
Albanian: Po (pronounced poh)
French: Oui (pronounced wee)
German: Ja (pronounced yah)
Spanish: Sí (pronounced see)
Italian: Sì (pronounced see)
Portuguese: Sim (pronounced seem)
Dutch: Ja (pronounced yah)
Catalan: Sí (pronounced see)
Swedish: Ja (pronounced yah)
Danish: Ja (pronounced yah)
Norwegian: Ja (pronounced yah)
Finnish: Kyllä (pronounced KYL-lah)
Icelandic: Já (pronounced yau)
Russian: Да (pronounced da)
Polish: Tak (pronounced tahk)
Czech: Ano (pronounced AH-noh)
Hungarian: Igen (pronounced EE-gen)
Slovak: Áno (pronounced AH-noh)
Ukrainian: Так (pronounced tak)
Bulgarian: Да (pronounced da)
Serbian: Да (pronounced da)
Irish Gaelic: Tá (pronounced tah)
Scottish Gaelic: Tha (pronounced ha)
Welsh: Ie (pronounced yeh)
Basque: Bai (pronounced bye)
Maltese: Iva (pronounced EE-vah)
Chinese (Simplified): 是 (pronounced shì)
Chinese (Traditional): 是 (pronounced shì)
Japanese: はい (pronounced hai)
Korean: 네 (pronounced neh) or 예 (pronounced yeh)
Hindi: हाँ (pronounced haan)
Bengali: হাঁ or হ্যাঁ (pronounced hã or hyã)
Tamil: ஆமாம் (pronounced aa-maam)
Urdu: ہاں (pronounced haan)
Punjabi: ਹਾਂ (pronounced haan)
Telugu: అవును (pronounced ah-voo-noo)
Gujarati: હા (pronounced ha)
Kannada: ಹೌದು (pronounced how-doo)
Thai: ใช่ (pronounced chai)
Vietnamese: Vâng (pronounced vuhng) or Dạ (pronounced ya)
Indonesian: Ya (pronounced yah)
Malay: Ya (pronounced yah)
Khmer (Cambodian): បាទ (baat, for males) / ចាស (chaah, for females)
Burmese (Myanmar): ဟုတ်ကဲ့ (pronounced hoht-keh)
Kazakh: Иә (pronounced ee-uh)
Uzbek: Ha (pronounced ha)
Turkmen: Hawa (pronounced ha-wa)
Tajik: Ҳа (pronounced ha)
Arabic: نعم (pronounced nah-am)
Hebrew: כן (pronounced ken)
Persian (Farsi): بله (pronounced bah-leh)
Turkish: Evet (pronounced eh-vet)
Kurdish (Sorani): بەڵێ (pronounced beh-leh)
Swahili: Ndiyo (pronounced n-DEE-yoh)
Zulu: Yebo (pronounced yeh-boh)
Afrikaans: Ja (pronounced yah)
Yoruba: Bé̩ē̩ni (pronounced beh-eh-nee)
Igbo: Ee (pronounced eh-eh)
Hausa: I or Iye (pronounced ee or ee-yeh)
Somali: Haa (pronounced hah)
Filipino (Tagalog): Oo (pronounced oh-oh)
Cebuano: Oo (pronounced oh-oh)
Maori: Āe (pronounced ah-eh)
Hawaiian: ʻAe (pronounced ah-eh)
Javanese: Inggih (pronounced ing-gih, respectful) or Ya (pronounced yah, informal)
Malagasy: Eny (pronounced eh-nee)
Quechua: Arí (pronounced ah-ree)
Navajo: Aoo’ (pronounced ah-oh)
Pronunciation Guide and Cultural Insights for “Yes”
Tips for Proper Pronunciation of “Yes”
- Listen and Repeat: Use language learning apps or online platforms to hear native speakers pronounce “yes” in your target language. This will help you grasp the correct sounds, tones, and intonation.
- Use Phonetic Spelling: Refer to the phonetic spelling provided for guidance. For example:
- English: /jɛs/
- Spanish: /si/
- French: /wi/
- Japanese: /hai/
- Practice Regularly: Make it a habit to practice saying “yes” daily in different contexts. Repetition reinforces proper pronunciation and boosts confidence.
- Record Yourself: Recording your voice can help you identify improvement areas and ensure you pronounce “yes” correctly.
Cultural Significance of Saying “Yes”
- Agreement and Consent: In most languages, saying “yes” signifies agreement, approval, or consent. Its usage reflects politeness, positivity, and cooperation in communication.
- Regional Nuances: How “yes” is used and understood can vary between cultures. For example:
- A polite “hai” in Japan often implies acknowledgment rather than explicit agreement.
- In some African languages, tone and context heavily influence the meaning of “yes.”
- Social Dynamics: In many cultures, how and when you say “yes” can reflect respect, authority, or familiarity. For instance:
- In formal settings, “yes” might be accompanied by gestures like a bow in East Asian cultures.
- A confident “yes” can indicate assertiveness and enthusiasm in Western cultures.
- Symbol of Optimism: Across cultures, saying “yes” often represents positivity and openness to new opportunities or ideas.
Usage Examples in Different Languages
1. German (Deutsch)
Q: Kommst du mit ins Kino? (Are you coming to the cinema?)
A: Ja! (Yes!)
2. Japanese (日本語)
Q: 行きますか？ (Ikimasu ka? “Are you going?”)
A: はい、行きます。(Hai, ikimasu. “Yes, I am going.”)
3. French (Français)
Q: Voulez-vous un café? (Do you want a coffee?)
A: Oui, s’il vous plaît. (Yes, please.)
4. Spanish (Español)
Q: ¿Te gusta la música? (Do you like music?)
A: Sí, mucho. (Yes, very much.)
5. Swahili (Kiswahili)
Q: Unataka chai? (Do you want tea?)
A: Ndiyo, tafadhali. (Yes, please.)
6. Italian (Italiano)
Q: Vuoi dell’acqua? (Do you want some water?)
A: Sì, per favore. (Yes, please.)
7. Portuguese (Português)
Q: Você quer ajuda? (Do you want help?)
A: Sim, por favor. (Yes, please.)
8. Dutch (Nederlands)
Q: Wil je naar het park gaan? (Do you want to go to the park?)
A: Ja, graag. (Yes, gladly.)
9. Russian (Русский)
Q: Ты хочешь чая? (Ty khochesh chaya? “Do you want tea?”)
A: Да, пожалуйста. (Da, pozhaluysta. “Yes, please.”)
10. Polish (Polski)
Q: Czy chcesz kawy? (Do you want coffee?)
A: Tak, poproszę. (Yes, please.)
11. Czech (Čeština)
Q: Chceš jít ven? (Do you want to go out?)
A: Ano, chci. (Yes, I do.)
12. Hungarian (Magyar)
Q: Kérsz vizet? (Would you like water?)
A: Igen, kérek. (Yes, I would.)
13. Finnish (Suomi)
Q: Haluatko teetä? (Do you want tea?)
A: Kyllä, kiitos. (Yes, thank you.)
14. Swedish (Svenska)
Q: Vill du ha kaffe? (Do you want coffee?)
A: Ja, tack. (Yes, thanks.)
15. Danish (Dansk)
Q: Vil du med i biografen? (Do you want to come to the cinema?)
A: Ja, gerne. (Yes, gladly.)
16. Norwegian (Norsk)
Q: Vil du ha litt mat? (Do you want some food?)
A: Ja, takk. (Yes, thanks.)
17. Icelandic (Íslenska)
Q: Viltu vatn? (Do you want water?)
A: Já, takk. (Yes, thanks.)
18. Irish Gaelic (Gaeilge)
Q: An dteastaíonn uisce uait? (Do you want water?)
A: Tá, le do thoil. (Yes, please.)
19. Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)
Q: A bheil thu ag iarraidh tì? (Do you want tea?)
A: Tha, mas e do thoil e. (Yes, please.)
20. Welsh (Cymraeg)
Q: Wyt ti eisiau coffi? (Do you want coffee?)
A: Ie, os gwelwch yn dda. (Yes, please.)
21. Greek (Ελληνικά)
Q: Θέλεις νερό; (Thélis neró? “Do you want water?”)
A: Ναι, παρακαλώ. (Nai, parakaló. “Yes, please.”)
22. Turkish (Türkçe)
Q: Su ister misin? (Do you want water?)
A: Evet, lütfen. (Yes, please.)
23. Arabic (العربية)
Q: هل تريد قهوة؟ (Hal turid qahwa? “Do you want coffee?”)
A: نعم، من فضلك. (Na’am, min fadlik. “Yes, please.”)
24. Hebrew (עברית)
Q: אתה רוצה מים? (Ata rotze mayim? “Do you want water?”)
A: כן, בבקשה. (Ken, bevakasha. “Yes, please.”)
25. Persian (Farsi)
Q: آیا چای میخواهید؟ (Aya chay mikhahid? “Do you want tea?”)
A: بله، لطفا. (Baleh, lotfan. “Yes, please.”)
26. Hindi (हिन्दी)
Q: क्या आपको पानी चाहिए? (Kya aapko paani chahiye? “Do you want water?”)
A: हाँ, कृपया. (Haan, kripaya. “Yes, please.”)
27. Bengali (বাংলা)
Q: তুমি কি চা চাও? (Tumi ki cha chao? “Do you want tea?”)
A: হ্যাঁ, দয়া করে. (Hyã, doya kore. “Yes, please.”)
28. Urdu (اردو)
Q: کیا آپ چائے چاہیں گے؟ (Kya aap chai chahenge? “Do you want tea?”)
A: ہاں، مہربانی. (Haan, meharbani. “Yes, please.”)
29. Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ)
Q: ਕੀ ਤੁਸੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਲੈਣਾ ਚਾਹੋਗੇ? (Ki tusi paani laina chahoge? “Do you want water?”)
A: ਹਾਂ, ਜੀ. (Haan, ji. “Yes, indeed.”)
30. Gujarati (ગુજરાતી)
Q: તમને পানি જોઈએ છે? (Tame paani joie chhe? “Do you want water?”)
A: હા, કૃપા કરીને. (Haa, krupa kareene. “Yes, please.”)
31. Tamil (தமிழ்)
Q: நீ வேணுமா? (Nī vēṇumā? “Do you want it?”)
A: ஆமாம், தயவுசெய்து. (Āmām, tayavuseythu. “Yes, please.”)
32. Telugu (తెలుగు)
Q: నీకు చాయ్ కావాలా? (Nīku chāy kāvālā? “Do you want tea?”)
A: అవును, దయచేసి. (Avunu, dayachesi. “Yes, please.”)
33. Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ)
Q: ನೀಗೆ ನೀರು ಬೇಕಾ? (Nīge nīru bēkā? “Do you want water?”)
A: ಹೌದು, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು. (Haudu, dayavittu. “Yes, please.”)
34. Malayalam (മലയാളം)
Q: നിങ്ങള്ക്ക് ചായ വേണോ? (Niṅaḷkk chāya vēṇō? “Do you want tea?”)
A: അതെ, ദയവായി. (Athe, dayavaayi. “Yes, please.”)
35. Thai (ไทย)
Q: คุณต้องการน้ำไหม? (Khun dtông-gaan náam măi? “Do you want water?”)
A: ใช่, กรุณา. (Châi, grù-nā. “Yes, please.”)
36. Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
Q: Bạn có muốn trà không? (Do you want tea?)
A: Vâng, làm ơn. (Yes, please.)
37. Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)
Q: Mau kopi? (Do you want coffee?)
A: Ya, tolong. (Yes, please.)
38. Malay (Bahasa Melayu)
Q: Mahu air? (Do you want water?)
A: Ya, sila. (Yes, please.)
39. Filipino (Tagalog)
Q: Gusto mo ba ng tubig? (Do you want water?)
A: Oo, pakiusap. (Yes, please.)
40. Cebuano (Bisaya)
Q: Gusto ka ug tubig? (Do you want water?)
A: Oo, palihug. (Yes, please.)
41. Hawaiian (ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi)
Q: Makemake ʻoe i ka wai? (Do you want water?)
A: ʻAe, ke ʻoluʻolu. (Yes, please.)
42. Maori (Te Reo Māori)
Q: Kei te pirangi koe i te wai? (Do you want water?)
A: Āe, tēnā. (Yes, please.)
43. Zulu (isiZulu)
Q: Ufuna amanzi? (Do you want water?)
A: Yebo, ngiyacela. (Yes, please.)
44. Xhosa (isiXhosa)
Q: Ufuna amanzi? (Do you want water?)
A: Ewe, nceda. (Yes, please.)
45. Afrikaans
Q: Wil jy water hê? (Do you want water?)
A: Ja, asseblief. (Yes, please.)
46. Yoruba (Èdè Yorùbá)
Q: Ṣe o fẹ omi? (Do you want water?)
A: Bé̩ē̩ni, jọwọ. (Yes, please.)
47. Igbo (Asụsụ Igbo)
Q: Ị chọrọ mmiri? (Do you want water?)
A: Ee, biko. (Yes, please.)
48. Hausa (Harshen Hausa)
Q: Kana son ruwa? (Do you want water?)
A: I, don Allah. (Yes, please.)
49. Somali (Af-Soomaali)
Q: Ma rabtaa biyo? (Do you want water?)
A: Haa, fadlan. (Yes, please.)
50. Navajo (Diné Bizaad)
Q: Diníyá taʼníʼ? (Do you want water?)
A: Aoo’, t’áá shį́į́ nít’éé’. (Yes, please.)*
*Note: Exact Navajo phrasing may vary; this is an approximation.
In Closing
From European languages like German, French, and Spanish to African languages such as Zulu and Somali, Asian languages like Hindi and Thai, and Indigenous languages like Maori and Navajo, these examples show how a simple “yes” can open the door to polite and positive interactions worldwide.
These examples highlight how learning the affirmative response can immediately make you a more engaged listener and responsive speaker in a new language. Saying “yes” carries a powerful message of willingness, positivity, and participation.
Whether agreeing to an invitation, confirming your understanding, or affirming the truths shared in conversation, knowing how to say “yes” in different languages opens doors to richer cultural exchanges.
By practicing various pronunciations, exploring formal and informal nuances, and understanding cultural contexts, you become a more empathetic and flexible communicator.
Learning how to agree in many tongues reminds us that while languages and customs may differ, the human inclination to connect, cooperate, and affirm one another remains a universal and unifying force.
Reference: Stanford University Linguistics Department
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