Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2022-10-13
In most cases, we use oui(yes) and non(no) in French the same way as in English.
However, if someone asks you a negative question or makes a negative statement and you want todisagree with it (i.e. answer in the positive) then use siinstead of oui.
Learn when to use "Si" or "Oui"in French
Agreeing...
Est-ce que tu parles français? Oui, je parle français.Do you speak French? Yes, I speak French.
Disagreeing...
Tu ne t'amuses pas? - Si, je m'amuse.Aren't you having a good time? - Yes, I am.
Il n'est pas gentil. - Si, il est gentil.He's not nice. - Yes, he is.
Bref, ce n'est pas important... - Si, c'est important !Anyway, it's not important... - Yes, it is!
Tu n'as pas une clope? - Si.Don't you have a smoke? - Yes I do.
Summary:
- Use Ouito answer "yes" topositive questions/statements
- Use Sito answer "yes" tonegative questions/statements
Note that nonis always the same whether you are agreeing or disagreeing:
Est-ce que tu parles français? Non, je ne parle pas français.Do you speak French? No, I don't speak French.
Tuneparlespasfrançais? - Non, je ne parle pas français.Don't you speak French? - No,I don't speak French.
Want to make sure your French sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
Test your French to the CEFR standard
Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Tuneparlespasfrançais? - Non, je ne parle pas français.Don't you speak French? - No,I don't speak French.
Tu ne parles pas français? -Si!Je parle français.Don't you speak French? - Yes! I do speak French.
Tu ne t'amuses pas? - Si, je m'amuse.Aren't you having a good time? - Yes, I am.
Tu n'as pas une clope? - Si.Don't you have a smoke? - Yes I do.
Est-ce que tu parles français? Non, je ne parle pas français.Do you speak French? No, I don't speak French.
Il n'est pas gentil. - Si, il est gentil.He's not nice. - Yes, he is.
Bref, ce n'est pas important... - Si, c'est important !Anyway, it's not important... - Yes, it is!
Attention
Est-ce que tu parles français? Oui, je parle français.Do you speak French? Yes, I speak French.
