Today we’re looking at how to use si, which also means “yes” in addition to oui. The main point is that si is used to answer “yes” to questions being asked in the negation. Tu n’aimes pas ces leçons ? –Si ! Elles sont super utiles! (You don’t like these lessons? – Yes, there’re super useful!).
Si
yes
Si vs oui
Example sentences
No need for si
These first two example sentences are straight yes-no questions with oui (yes) and non (no) being used as one-word answers.
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.
Introduction of si
These next two examples introduce the usage of si. The question is being asked in the negagtion (you don’t like…?). The first answer confirms the question with a one-word non.
Vous n’aimez pas manger ce chocolat ? – Non.
You don’t like eating this chocolate? – No.
Here, the same question is being asked. However, since the answer is “yes”, it’s contradicting the question being asked in the negation and si must be used.
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 futher illustrate how to use si. The first question is affirmative. Hence, si is not required. The second question is being asked in the negation. Hence, si is required to answer “yes”.
Tu aimes Sylvie ? – Oui, elle est sympa.
You like Sylvie? – Yes. She’s nice.
Tu n’aime pas Sylvie ? – Si! Elle est sympa!
You don’t like Sylvie? – Yes! She’s nice!
Video lesson
In this video, online French teacher Dylane does a wonderful job explaining si vs. oui with five example sentences.
Related lessons
Reference
Word of the Day lessons | Lessons by David Issokson
