How To Say The In Chinese

Learning to say "yes" is usually one of the first things you learn when studying a new linguistic communication. Unfortunately, you might be surprised to larn that in Chinese, there's no direct equivalent to the English "yes." Fear not! We're here to walk yous through some of the most common means to say "yes" in Chinese. For example, 是 (🔈 shì)!

Table of Contents

• No Direct Translation
• x Common Means to Say "Yeah" in Chinese
  • one. 是 | shì | to be; yes
  • 2. 对 | duì | correct
  • 3. 没错 | méicuò | non incorrect
  • 4. 好 | hǎo | good
  • 5. 可以 | kěyǐ | can; may; [indicating permission]
  • 6. 行 | xíng | ok; alright
  • 7. 嗯 | èn | yeah
  • 8. 没问题 | méiwèntí | no problem
  • 9. 当然 | dāngrán | of form
  • ten. "Yes" in other situations
• But say "yes!"
• Essential Vocabulary for Saying Yes in Chinese

No Direct Translation

Mandarin has no direct translation for the English word "aye," then saying "yes" in Chinese can become a fleck complicated. The only way to express the affirmative in Chinese is to consider the context in which you want to use it.

If that sounds scary, don't worry. It's actually much more than similar to English language than y'all might call back. While "yes" is generally the go-to affirmative answer for English speakers, we also have a lot of other affirmative words and phrases that we use in various dissimilar situations. For example, "sure," "OK," "of course," "yeah," "that's right," "right" and "no problem" can also be used to mean "yeah" depending on the context.

Just like in English, the more ways you know to express the affirmative in Chinese, the more than similar a native speaker you'll audio. Cheque out our listing of x common ways to say "yes" in Chinese below.

x Common Ways to Say "Yep" in Chinese

1. 是 | shì | to be; aye

One manner to say "yeah" in Chinese is 是, or shì in pinyin . It's commonly used to confirm that something is true, in the aforementioned way that nosotros might say "yes, I am" or "yes, it is" in response to a corresponding question in English.

Check out these examples to become a better idea of how this works:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你是美国人吗?	Nǐ shì Měiguórén ma?	Are you American?
B:	是。	Shì.	Yes, I am.

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你是不是学生?	Nǐ shìbùshì xuéshēng?	Are you a pupil?
B:	是。	Shì.	Yep, I am.

Note that when you lot respond to a question using 是 (shì), the question that was asked will commonly also incorporate 是 (shì), which in certain contexts is the rough equivalent of the English verb "to be."

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English language
A:	这是你的背包吗？	Zhè shì nǐ de bèibāo ma?	Is this your backpack?
B:	是。	Shì.	Yes, information technology is.

Learning to say "yeah" in Chinese is an important skill that all students of Mandarin need to master.

Notation that because answering a question that includes 是 (shì) oft involves repeating the verb used in the question, this utilise of 是 (shì) tin can also exist explained using the pattern discussed in section ten (yes in other situations) below.

是的 (shìde) is a common variation of 是 (shì) which sounds more than formal and polite than 是 (shì) by itself. It is a common way to say "yes" in piece of work environments when a subordinate wants to respond in the affirmative to a manager, boss, or other person in a more senior position.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你这周是不是要出差？	Nǐ zhè zhōu shìbùshì yào chūchāi?	Are you going on a business trip this calendar week?
B:	是的。	Shìde.	Yes, that's right.

2. 对 | duì | correct

对 (duì), which means "right" or "correct," is some other common way to say "yes" in Chinese. It's very like to 是 (shì), and in many cases the two can exist used interchangeably.

In full general, if a question contains 对 (duì), the response is more likely to be 对 (duì), while if the question contains 是 (shì), the response is probable to be 是 (shì).

For case:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	这是你的手机，对吗？	Zhè shì nǐ de shǒujī, duì ma?	This is your cell phone, right?
B:	对。	Duì.	Yes, that's right.

对 (duì) is also often used to express agreement with a argument that someone else has made, as in the following example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English language
A:	我觉得这朵花很漂亮。	Wǒ juédé zhè duǒ huā hěn piàoliang.	I think this flower is actually beautiful.
B:	对。	Duì.	Yes, I retrieve and so too.

3. 没错 | méicuò | non wrong

The expression 没错 (méicuò) is some other manner to say "yes" in Chinese. It'south similar to 对 (duì) in that information technology's oft used to agree with a argument that someone else has made.

If we break 没错 (méicuò) into its component parts, we can run across that 没 (méi) means "no" or "non," every bit in 没有 (méiyǒu, not have; exist without), while 错 (cuò) means "wrong" or "mistake," equally in 错误 (cuòwù, mistake; mistake). Thus, 没错 (méicuò) literally means "not incorrect."

没错 (méicuò) is frequently used when agreeing with someone else's opinion and is the equivalent of English phrases like "that's true" or "that'due south right."

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English language
A:	四川人很会吃辣。	Sìchuānrén hěn huì chī là.	People from Sichuan really honey spicy nutrient.
B:	没错。	Méicuò.	Yes, that'southward right.

Context is disquisitional when deciding which version of "yes" to use in Chinese.

4. 好 | hǎo | good

好 (hǎo) is another way to say "yep" in Chinese. The near basic significant of 好 (hǎo) is "good." You lot probably recognize this character from 你好 (nǐhǎo, hullo), which is ordinarily one of the first words that beginning Chinese students learn.

In Chinese, 好 (hǎo) can be used as the rough equivalent of "expert," "fine" or "OK" in English.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English language
A:	我们现在去散步。	Wǒmen xiànzài qù sànbù.	Nosotros're going for a walk now.
B:	好。	Hǎo.	OK, sounds good.

In addition to using 好 (hǎo) past itself, it's also possible to alter the significant of your response slightly by adding various particles to the terminate.

For example, calculation the particle 的 (de) creates 好的 (hǎo de), which tin can exist translated as "OK" or "volition do." It's oftentimes (although not exclusively) used by people in the service industry when agreeing with a customer'south asking.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	师傅，你八点来接我，好吗？	Shīfù, nǐ bā diǎn lái jiē wǒ, hǎo ma?	Driver, could you pick me up at 8 o'clock?
B:	好的。	Hǎo de.	Certain, will practise.

Besides, if you add the particle 呀 (ya) to 好 (hǎo), y'all get 好呀 (hǎo ya), which makes you sound excited nigh any fun plan or activity the person you're talking to has proposed.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	我们明天一起去看电影吧。	Wǒmen míngtiān yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng ba.	Let'due south get see a picture show tomorrow.
B:	好呀！	Hǎo ya!	OK!

Learning how to say "yes" in a multifariousness of ways will brand your Chinese sound more accurate.

In contrast to 好呀 (hǎo ya), answering someone using 好 (hǎo) plus the particle 吧 (ba), or 好吧 (hǎo ba), makes you sound equally if you're less than pleased about whatever it is that the person yous're talking to is proposing.

好吧 (hǎo ba) is still a style to agree with someone'southward proffer, but it's a reluctant course of agreement that indicates you'd rather not do whatever information technology is that's been proposed.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English language
A:	你早上五点来我家，好吗?	Nǐ zǎoshang wǔ diǎn lái wǒ jiā, hǎo ma?	Come past my house at 5am, OK?
B:	好吧。	Hǎo ba.	OK.

Last just not least, if you add the particle 了 (le), you get 好了 (hǎo le). This phrase can be used to respond affirmatively to sure questions. When used in this way, it has positive connotations and is similar to "yep" in English.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你准备好了吗？	Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?	Are you ready?
B:	好了!	Hǎo le!	Yep, I'm set!

In certain contexts, the phrase 好了 (hǎo le) tin likewise take negative connotations, however. This is usually the example when information technology'due south being used to respond to someone who is pushing you to do something or finish something more quickly or efficiently. In this case, it's like to "OK, OK" in English and using it makes you sound a flake exasperated.

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你还没准备好吗？	Nǐ hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo ma?	You're still not ready?
B:	好了，好了，我已经好了。	Hǎo le, hǎo le, wǒ yǐjīng hǎo le.	OK, OK, I'1000 fix now.

5. 可以 | kěyǐ | can; may; [indicating permission]

The phrase 可以 (kěyǐ) is another way to express the affirmative in Chinese. It's often used when asking for or giving permission to do something. In this context, its meaning is similar to "can" or "may." As a response, it can be roughly translated as "sure," "OK," or "yeah, you tin."

Note that if the question contains 可以 (kěyǐ), it's likely that the response will as well.

For case:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	我可以借你的笔吗？	Wǒ kěyǐ jiè nǐ de bǐ ma?	Tin can I borrow your pen?
B:	可以。	Kěyǐ.	Certain y'all can.

Another example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	这里可以拍照吗？	Zhèlǐ kěyǐ pāizhào ma?	Tin can I have pictures here?
B:	可以。	Kěyǐ.	Yes, you can.

Once yous've mastered the art of proverb "yeah" like a native, your life in People's republic of china will go much more smoothly.

6. 行 | xíng | ok; alright

行 (xíng) ways "OK" or "alright." It's unremarkably used to respond affirmatively when someone makes a request or asks for permission. In many situations, its apply is like to 可以 (kěyǐ).

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	帮我买一瓶水。	Bāng wǒ mǎi yī píng shuǐ.	Buy me a bottle of h2o, (please).
B:	行！	Xíng!	OK!

7. 嗯 | èn | yes

嗯 (èn) is an informal affirmative response like to "aye" or "uh-huh" in English. Information technology'southward often used to express assent in informal advice among friends both offline and on Chinese social media . Like "uh-huh" in English, it sounds somewhat noncommittal.

For case:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你有空吗？	Nǐ yǒu kòng ma?	Are you gratis?
B:	嗯。	Èn.	Uh-huh.

Some other common variation of 嗯 (èn) that you might encounter is 嗯嗯 (èn èn). Its meaning is more or less the same as 嗯 (èn), but with a bit more emphasis.

8. 没问题 | méiwèntí | no problem

没问题 (méiwèntí) is a common Chinese phrase that's the equivalent of "no problem" or "sure" in English.

For instance:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你能帮我一下吗？	Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yīxià ma?	Can yous help me out?
B:	没问题。	Méiwèntí.	Sure, no problem.

Practicing with your Chinese teacher is a great way to gain a nuanced understanding of the language.

9. 当然 | dāngrán | of course

当然 (dāngrán) is a strongly affirmative expression similar to "of course" or "certainly" in English. Answering in this style makes you sound especially confident.

For example:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你会游泳吗？	Nǐ huì yóuyǒng ma?	Exercise you know how to swim?
B:	当然。	Dāngrán.	Yes, of class.

10. "Yeah" in other situations

One of the nigh common ways to say "yeah" in Chinese is non a specific word at all. Rather, it's a Chinese grammatical construction that involves expressing understanding by repeating the main verb or adjective in the question asked.

Considering responding requires the ability to recognize keywords in a question, this method works best for learners who already have some bones Chinese vocabulary nether their belts.

This repetition-based method is most commonly used with verbs. Thus, even if you're a beginner without a large Chinese vocabulary, you'll still be able to use this method so long equally you've mastered usually used Chinese verbs like 要 (yào, to want), 有 (yǒu, to have) and 会 (huì, to be able to).

The following iii examples testify these common Chinese verbs in action:

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你要吃火锅吗？	Nǐ yào chī huǒguō ma?	Do you want to swallow hotpot?
B:	要！	Yào!	Yes!

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English language
A:	这里有人吗？	Zhè li yǒu rén ma?	Is there someone sitting hither?
B:	有。	Yǒu.	Yes.

Speaker	汉字	Pinyin	English
A:	你会开车吗？	Nǐ huì kāichē ma?	Tin you bulldoze?
B:	会。	Huì.	Yes, I tin.

This grammar-based method for maxim "yes" also works with adjectives. In the following example, the adjective 好看 (hǎokàn, good-looking) appears in the question and is then repeated in the answer resulting in an affirmative response:

Speaker	汉字`	Pinyin	English
A:	你觉得好看吗？	Nǐ juédé hǎokàn ma?	Do you think this looks practiced?
B:	好看。	Hǎokàn.	Yes, it looks proficient.

Learning how to say "yes" in context-appropriate ways will help yous avoid beingness misunderstood.

Just say "yes!"

Proverb "yes" is one of the about of import skills that beginning students of the Chinese language should learn. We hope that the above explanations and examples will aid y'all in your quest to answer to questions similar a native.

Getting a feel for which form of "yeah" to utilise in any given situation takes time and do. If you withal feel dislocated about when to employ which word or phrase, nosotros recommend that you endeavour watching some Chinese Goggle box shows . Listening carefully to the dialogue between the characters is a peachy way to proceeds insight into which forms of "yes" feel well-nigh natural in diverse dissimilar contexts.

At present that you know some of the most common ways to say "yes" in Chinese, don't forget to practice and solidify your new knowledge by communicating with native Chinese speakers, either online or in person .

Remember, 熟能生巧 (shúnéngshēngqiǎo, practice makes perfect)!

Now that you know how to say "yep," why non go on exploring the essentials of everyday advice in Chinese past checking out our article on how to say "no" in Chinese or exploring the wonderful world of Chinese measure words?

Essential Vocabulary for Maxim Yes in Chinese

Hànzì	Pīnyīn	Definition
是	shì	to be (verb); yes (in sure contexts)
是的	shìde	yes, that's right/right
对	duì	yes, that'due south correct/correct
没错	méicuò	yes, that's right/correct/true
好	hǎo	OK; fine
好的	hǎo de	OK; will practice
好呀	hǎo ya	OK! (sounds excited/enthusiastic)
好吧	hǎo ba	OK (sounds reluctant)
好了	hǎole	yep! (positive); OK, OK (sounds exasperated）
可以	kěyǐ	yeah, you can
行	xíng	OK; all right
嗯	èn	uh-huh; yeah
没问题	méiwèntí	no problem
当然	dāngrán	of form; certainly
要	yào	to want (verb); yes (in sure contexts)
有	yǒu	to accept (verb); yeah (in certain contexts)
会	huì	to exist able to (verb); yes (in sure contexts)

Source: https://studycli.org/learn-chinese/yes-in-chinese/

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