Published August 13, 2024 • Updated July 25, 2026 — By French teacher David Issokson with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier
Si vs. oui meaning and pronunciation
The French word si has several meanings depending on context. Most notably, it means “yes” — but only to contradict a negative statement, unlike oui, which is used for standard affirmation. For example, if someone says “Tu n’as pas faim ?” (You’re not hungry?), you can reply “Si !” (Yes, I am!). Si also means “if” (as a conjunction) and “so” (as an adverb to intensify adjectives).
The IPA pronunciations of si and oui are /si/ and /wi/, which sound like “see” and “wee”.
Example Sentences
Oui — no need for si
These first two examples are simple yes-no questions, with oui (yes) and non (no) used as direct one-word responses.
Aimez-vous manger la glace ? — Oui.
Do you like eating ice cream? — Yes.
Aimez-vous manger les choux de Bruxelles ? – Non.
Do you like eating Brussels sprouts? – No.
Use of si for yes
These next two examples show how si is used. The question is asked in the negative form (You don’t like…?). The first response confirms the negative with a simple non.
Vous n’aimez pas manger ce chocolat ? — Non.
You don’t like eating this chocolate? — No.
Here, the same negative question is being asked. However, since the response is “yes”, it contradicts the negative, so si must be used instead of oui.
Vous n’aimez pas manger ce chocolat ? – Si ! C’est délicieux!
You don’t like eating this chocolate? – Yes! It’s delicious!
These final two examples further illustrate how to use si. In the first, the question is affirmative, so si is not needed. In the second, the question is negative — which requires si to answer “yes”.
Tu aimes Sylvie ? — Oui, elle est sympa.
You like Sylvie? — Yes. She’s nice.
Tu n’aimes pas Sylvie ? — Si ! Elle est sympa!
You don’t like Sylvie? — Yes! She’s nice!
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Related words and lessons
- oui – yes (general affirmation)
- non – no
- mais si ! – yes, really! / but yes! (strong contradiction)
- si, bien sûr ! – yes, of course!
- si, je t’assure ! – yes, I assure you!
- si, c’est vrai ! – yes, it’s true!
- tu te trompes – you’re wrong (often follows a si)
- je ne suis pas d’accord – I disagree (used when affirming against a negative)
- affirmatif – affirmative (formal yes)
- absolument – absolutely (strong yes)
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