11 Easy Ways To Say Yes In French [Guide]

You might think saying yes in French is simple — just learn oui and you’re done. But listen to a real French conversation, and you’ll hear a dozen ways to agree, depending on how polite, casual, or excited someone feels.

In this guide, I'll share every way to say "yes" in French—from formal business settings to casual conversations with friends. You'll discover not just what these expressions mean, but exactly when and how to use each one like a native speaker.

How To Say Yes In French

French offers many ways to say yes beyond oui. Depending on how formal, friendly, or enthusiastic you want to sound, there’s an expression for every situation. This guide will help you understand not only what each one means, but how to use them naturally in everyday conversation.

Oui (Yes)

Oui is the foundation of agreement in French. It is the direct equivalent of “yes” in English and can be used in any setting — polite, professional, or personal. Because it’s so neutral, speakers often rely on tone, smile, or gesture to show how warm or firm their “oui” is.

In formal conversations such as interviews, with clients, or when addressing elders, oui is always the right choice.

• Pronunciation: "wee" (one syllable with a long 'e' sound)
• Example: "Est-ce que vous êtes français?" (Are you French?) "Oui, je suis français." (Yes, I am French.)

Ouais (Yeah)

Ouais gives your agreement a relaxed, familiar feel. It’s what French speakers use among friends or family when the situation is informal. Since it’s a casual form, it can sound disrespectful in a professional environment, so it’s best kept for friendly contexts.

In spoken French, ouais often comes with a shrug or a smile, signaling warmth and friendliness rather than strict affirmation.

• Pronunciation: "way" (similar to the English word "way")
• Example: "Tu viens à la fête ce soir?" (Are you coming to the party tonight?) "Ouais, je viendrai." (Yeah, I'll come.)

Bien sûr (Of course)

Bien sûr literally means “well sure,” and it expresses strong or confident agreement. It can sound polite, warm, or even reassuring depending on how it’s said. Use it when something feels obvious or when you want to show friendly certainty.

You might also hear it used to comfort or emphasize friendliness, as in “Of course I’ll help you.”

• Pronunciation: "byan soor" (the 'r' is slightly rolled in the back of the throat)
• Example: "Tu te souviens de moi?" (Do you remember me?) "Bien sûr que je me souviens!" (Of course I remember!)

D’accord / D’acc (Okay/Alright)

D’accord literally translates to “in agreement,” and it is a very common way to show that you accept an idea, plan, or suggestion. It works in both formal and informal settings, making it one of the most flexible ways to agree in French.

You can also use it to express polite approval, or just to mean “okay” in everyday speech. The shortened form d’acc is typically reserved for texts, quick replies, or conversations among close friends.

• Pronunciation: "da-kor" / "dak"
• Example: "On se retrouve à 18h?" (Shall we meet at 6pm?) "D'accord, à 18h." (Okay, at 6pm.)

Carrément (Totally/Absolutely)

Carrément adds energy and emphasis to your response. It means “completely,” “totally,” or “absolutely,” and shows that you agree not just passively, but with enthusiasm. You’ll often hear it among young people when reacting positively to something exciting, fun, or impressive.

• Pronunciation: "kar-ay-mahn"
• Example: "Ce film était génial, non?" (That movie was great, wasn't it?) "Carrément! C'était incroyable." (Totally! It was incredible.)

Ça marche (That Works)

Ça marche literally means “that works” or “it’s working,” and it’s commonly used when making plans or confirming that an idea or arrangement is acceptable. It carries a friendly, practical tone — something you’d say when you and another person have settled on a plan.

• Pronunciation: "sa marsh"
• Example: "Je te retrouve devant le cinéma." (I'll meet you in front of the cinema.) "Ça marche!" (That works!)

Ouep (Yep)

Ouep is a very casual, almost lazy-sounding version of oui. It’s the kind of word you’d use with close friends or family when you want to sound relaxed, unbothered, or simply acknowledge something quickly. It can sound indifferent if said without tone, so use it only when the context is light or familiar.

• Pronunciation: "wep" (the 'p' is pronounced)
• Example: "T'as fini tes devoirs?" (Have you finished your homework?) "Ouep, tout est fait." (Yep, all done.)

Ça roule (It's Rolling/All Good)

Ça roule literally translates to “it rolls,” but in conversation it means “everything’s going smoothly” or “no problem.” It’s an upbeat, informal way to show that you’re fine with a plan or situation. The phrase gives a sense of momentum and positivity, making it perfect for confirming arrangements or expressing that things are under control.

• Pronunciation: "sa rool"
• Example: "On se voit demain à midi?" (Shall we see each other tomorrow at noon?) "Ça roule, à demain!" (All good, see you tomorrow!)

Évidemment (Obviously)

Évidemment means “obviously,” and it’s used when the answer seems so clear that it almost goes without saying. In conversation, it can sound either serious or slightly proud depending on how it’s delivered. Because it carries a hint of formality, it’s more common in thoughtful or polite speech than in casual chats.

• Pronunciation: "ay-vee-da-mahn"
• Example: "Tu vas voter aux élections?" (Are you going to vote in the elections?) "Évidemment, c'est important." (Obviously, it's important.)

C’est bon (It's Good)

C’est bon is a versatile phrase that can mean “it’s good,” “that’s fine,” or “I’m good.” It is often used to approve of a situation or to indicate that something has been handled or settled. For example, when you’ve finished preparing something or agree to a plan, you might say c’est bon to signal everything is okay. The tone determines whether it sounds casual, approving, or reassuring.

• Pronunciation: "say bohn"
• Example: "Je peux t'appeler plus tard?" (Can I call you later?) "C'est bon, pas de problème." (That's fine, no problem.)

C’est ça (That's It)

C’est ça literally means “that’s it,” and it’s used to confirm that something is correct or understood. It’s a polite and natural way to acknowledge that you agree or that someone has the right idea. In conversation, it can also express encouragement, such as confirming someone’s progress or comprehension.

• Pronunciation: "say sa"
• Example: "On se retrouve à la gare à 9h?" (We're meeting at the station at 9am, right?) "C'est ça, à la gare." (That's right, at the station.)

Other Ways To Say Yes In French

French includes many expressions that show agreement, politeness, or warmth in more specific contexts. Some sound formal, others emotional or supportive. These are great to recognize even if you don’t use them every day.

Saying “Yes” in Context

Here’s how different ways of saying yes might appear in a simple conversation between two friends planning their evening:

Lucie: Tu veux aller boire un café après le travail ?
(Do you want to grab a coffee after work?)

Julien: Ouais, carrément. Il y a un nouveau café près de la gare, non ?
(Yeah, totally. There’s a new café near the station, right?)

Lucie: Oui, c’est ça. Il paraît qu’ils font des croissants incroyables.
(Yes, that’s right. Apparently, they make amazing croissants.)

Julien: Parfait, on se retrouve là-bas vers six heures ?
(Perfect, shall we meet there around six?)

Lucie: D’accord, à tout à l’heure !
(Okay, see you later!)

Julien: Ça marche !
(Sounds good!)

In French, everyday speech naturally mixes several ways to say yes. Even in short conversations, speakers shift between oui, ouais, d’accord, and ça marche depending on tone and rhythm. This flexibility is one of the most authentic features of spoken French.

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