20+ formal and informal ways to say ‘yes’ in Spanish

You may have already heard the word yes in Spanish, which is simply sí. Sí is one of the first words that any new Spanish student learns, along with hola, adios, and no. It’s something we say all the time. We use it to respond to questions, express our emotions, and communicate in general.

Sí is not the only way to say yes in Spanish. There are numerous other words and phrases in Spanish to agree. Some of them can convey nuances such as excitement or even politeness.

Most common ways to say yes in Spanish

Spanish	English
Sí	Yes
Claro	Of course
Vale	Sure, cool
Ya	Okay
Bueno	All right, okay
Okey	Okay

1.    Sí

This is the literal translation of “yes,” and it is used in the same way as the English word. Remember the difference between sí vs si, the first has an accent on the “i” and the other does not. Sí means yes, while si is a conditional word meaning “if”. The good news is that these two words sound the same but are spelled differently. So you only need to be concerned about this if you are texting or sending an email.

If your goal is to learn Spanish online at your own pace and comfort, book your lessons with italki. This platform has managed to gather some of the best learning resources, online Spanish teachers, and engaging sessions. All you need to do is to select your preferred tutor and start learning right away!

2.    Claro

Claro is another way of saying “yes” in Spanish. We can use it alone or in conjunction with sí, as in sí, claro. It’s more assertive than sí, similar to English “of course.” Although it is sometimes equivalent to the English word “sure,” in which case it is fairly neutral.

3.    Vale

This interjection expresses agreement or consent. It is similar to the English words “sure” or “cool.” Vale is most commonly used in Spain, but equivalent expressions exist in other Spanish-speaking countries, such as va in Venezuela and dale in Uruguay and Argentina.

4.    Ya

Ya is a tricky word because it has so many different meanings. But for now, we will concentrate on how it can be used to reach an agreement. Ya can be used in place of the English word “okay.”

5.    Bueno

This is another word with numerous applications in Spanish. When we use bueno to respond to a question, it means “all right” or “okay.” It can sound similar to vale and is less emphatic than claro. It can be difficult to pick up on these subtle nuances at first, but with some practice and exposure, you will be able to do so in no time.

There are plenty of Spanish learning apps available online that can help you learn the contextual use of different Spanish words. Almost all of the apps are user-friendly and can serve as a great learning tool.

6.    Okey

Doesn’t this word sound familiar? It’s because it derives from the English word “okay.” It is a “loanword”: a word borrowed from another language and naturalized (which explains why the Spanish word has an “e” instead of an “a”).

Now that you know some of the common ways to say yes in Spanish, there are some formal and informal ways to express your agreement as well. We will explore the formal and informal ways one by one.

Informal ways to say yes in Spanish

If you want to be truly fluent in Spanish, you must be able to understand and use slang, particularly when conversing with friends and watching TV. Let’s look at the most common Spanish informal expressions for saying yes in Spanish.

Spanish	English
Sí pues	Well yes
Ya po	Yep
Sip	Yup
Ajá	Uh-huh
Guay	Cool
Genial	Cool
Pues claro / Pos claro	Well, of course
Hecho	Done
Obvio	Obviously
Más vale	Needless to say

Sometimes, you need to show your disagreement. There are several ways to say no in Spanish. You must learn to say no politely and acceptably without being offensive or rude.

Formal ways to say yes in Spanish

If you are learning Spanish for work or want to sound more formal or professional, here are some expressions you can use. All these expressions can be used in business settings.

Spanish	English
De acuerdo	Agreed
Por supuesto	Of course
Efectivamente	Indeed
Ciertamente	Most certainly
Cómo no	Of course
A sus órdenes	At your service

Sometimes a simple sí is insufficient and you need to show your enthusiasm. We will show you how to enthusiastically express your agreement.

Spanish	English
Desde luego	Of course
Indiscutiblemente	Undeniably
Sin duda	Undoubtedly
Obviamente	Obviously

You can now begin practicing the various positive phrases to say yes in Spanish depending on whether you are in a formal or informal setting.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is De acuerdo a formal or informal way to show agreement?

A. De acuerdo means ‘agreed’ is a formal way to show agreement in Spanish.

Q. What is the most common expression used to say ye in Spanish?

A. Sí is the most commonly used word to say yes in Spanish.

Q. What is the difference between sí vs si?

A. sí vs si- The first has an accent on the “i” and the other does not. Sí means yes, while si is a conditional word meaning “if”.

Conclusion

We have explored different ways to say yes in Spanish. Now you have different phrases in your arsenal and need to come up with the right phrase based on the nature of your situation.  When meeting new people for the first time, we recommend you speak in a formal tone of voice. Many people of any age will always prefer the polite way of speaking in many regions of Latin America, specifically.

Because you never know, it’s best to be safe and formal from the start. If you notice them speaking to you casually, you can ask if you can do the same. While conversing with others, you will notice how casual you and the other person are. You can also learn common Spanish idioms to spice up your Spanish conversations with your friends and family.