French word

si

Pronunciation

IPA/si/

Meaning

  • interjectionyes

Example

Tu n'as pas faim? Si, j'ai faim.

Aren't you hungry? Yes, I am hungry.

Illustration for si (yes)

More examples

Tu ne veux pas venir? Mais si, je viens.

You don't want to come? But yes, I'm coming.

Core concept

A short verbal switch that turns a negative question into a positive answer.

Common phrases

  • mais si

    but yes

Similar words

oui: A brief reply expressing agreement or affirmation.
non: A brief reply expressing refusal or negation.
mais si: A forceful reply that directly contradicts a negative statement.

Definition in French

Sert à répondre positivement à une question formulée négativement en corrigeant l'énoncé négatif.

Word origin

French si comes from Latin sic, meaning "thus" or "so", through Old French, and developed as the special affirmative reply to a negative question.

Usage tips

  • In a negative question, si contradicts the negative premise, whereas oui normally confirms it.

Other meanings

  • ifconjunction

Opposites

  • nonnointerjection

Word lists with this word