Chinese phrases
How to say yes in Chinese
Chinese has no single word for yes. You answer with the verb of the question: 去 for “Are you going?”, 有 for “Do you have…?” To say “that’s right”, say 对 (duì).
对
right; yes, that’s correct
Ways to say yes
对
Everydayright; that’s correct
To agree with a statement or confirm a fact.
是
Everydayyes, it is
For questions with 是, such as 你是学生吗? As an all-purpose yes it sounds stiff.
好
EverydayOK; yes
To accept a suggestion or a request: 我们走吧? 好.
可以
Everydayyes, you can; sure
To give permission.
是的
Everydayyes, that’s so
A full, polite yes: common in speech, at work and in customer service.
嗯
With friendsmm-hm
The spoken nod. In chats, a doubled 嗯嗯 sounds friendlier than one 嗯.
Answer with the verb
Repeat the verb of the question. It’s the most natural yes there is.
去
(yes, I’m) going
For 你去吗, “Are you going?”
有
(yes, I) have
For 你有微信吗, “Do you have WeChat?”
要
(yes, I) want it
For 要袋子吗, “Do you want a bag?”
喜欢
(yes, I) like it
For 你喜欢吗, “Do you like it?”
Common mistakes
Saying 是 to everything
是 means “to be.” Answering 你要咖啡吗 with 是 sounds wrong. Say 要.
Saying 对 to a request
对 says a fact is right. To agree to do something, say 好 or 可以.
Saying 对 to a negative question
Asked 你不去吗, “Aren’t you going?”, an answer of 对 means “Right, I’m not going.”
After class
你有微信吗？
Qiqi: Do you have WeChat?
有！
Leon: Yes!
加我吧。
Qiqi: Add me.
好。
Leon: OK.
