Meaning & use
si
Last updated
Meaning
interjectioninformalhumorous
The Spanish and Italian word for yes, sometimes said by English speakers for fun or when speaking with someone in those languages.
Grammar: Stands alone as an answer: Si, gracias. Not standard English.
Patterns
- si, senor
Do you want more pasta? Si, please!
She said si with a grin, copying the waiter.
He answered every question with a cheerful si.
Common combinations
- si, gracias
- Would you like coffee? Si, gracias.
- si, senor
- The kids replied si, senor in a funny voice.
- si, si
- Si, si, I will be there soon.
- say si
- When in Spain, just say si and smile.
Synonyms and how they differ
- yes
- Yes is the standard English word and works in every setting, whereas si is foreign and used playfully.
- oui
- Oui is the French equivalent and is used the same playful way in English.
- yeah
- Yeah is an informal English form, not a borrowed word.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: si or see? si or si (if)?
si vs see
See is an English verb for looking; si is a foreign word for yes and is pronounced the same in some accents.
si vs si (if)
In Spanish, si without an accent means if, while sí with an accent means yes.
Practice
What does si mean in Spanish or Italian when used as an answer?
Choose one answer.
Si (or sí) means yes. It is the opposite of no, and it does not mean maybe or please.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “si”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.