How to Say Yes and No in Spanish: 18 Ways Beyond Sí and No

More Than Just Sí and No

The most common way to say yes in Spanish is Sí (SEE), and no is simply No (NOH). These two words will carry you through most situations, but relying on them exclusively marks you as a textbook speaker. Native speakers reach for a much wider toolkit depending on how enthusiastic, hesitant, emphatic, or polite they want to sound.

Spanish is spoken by approximately 559 million people across 21 countries, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. With that reach comes a rich set of regional alternatives, from Dale in Buenos Aires to Órale in Mexico City, and from the formal Desde luego in a Madrid boardroom to a dismissive Qué va between friends at a café.

"Affirmation and negation are far more than binary choices in Spanish. The specific word a speaker selects reveals their degree of certainty, their emotional investment, and often their geographic origin."

(Francisco Moreno Fernández, Variedades de la lengua española, Routledge, 2020)

This guide covers 18 essential ways to say yes and no in Spanish, organized by intensity and formality. Each expression includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context so you know exactly when and where to use it.

Quick Reference: Yes and No in Spanish at a Glance

Ways to Say Yes

These ten expressions range from the universal Sí to region-specific slang. According to the Real Academia Española (RAE), sí as an affirmative particle has remained unchanged in Spanish since the medieval period, but the informal alternatives have evolved constantly.

Sí

Sí is the only word you need for agreement in Spanish. The accent mark is important in writing: sí (yes) versus si (if), though they sound identical in speech. You can strengthen it by doubling: Sí, sí signals eagerness rather than reluctance.

Claro

Claro is arguably the most natural-sounding affirmative in everyday conversation. It conveys willingness and warmth that a bare Sí sometimes lacks. You will hear it dozens of times a day in any Spanish-speaking country. The extended form Claro que sí adds even more emphasis.

Por supuesto

When the situation calls for a more polished affirmative, Por supuesto is your go-to. It carries a sense of "naturally" or "it goes without saying." You will hear it frequently in Spanish-language films, particularly in formal dialogue.

Desde luego

Desde luego is the affirmative that signals confidence. It is especially common in Spain, where you will hear it in everything from parliamentary debates to dinner conversation. Latin American speakers understand it perfectly but tend to prefer Por supuesto in the same contexts.

Cómo no

This expression is brilliant in its construction: "How not?" The rhetorical question implies that refusing would be unreasonable. It is polite without being stiff, making it ideal for customer service, hospitality, and responding to reasonable requests.

Sale

Sale is one of the most recognizable markers of Mexican Spanish. Its literal meaning ("it goes out") has nothing to do with its slang use; it simply means "sure" or "it's a deal." The playful extension Sale y vale adds rhyming emphasis.

Dale

Dale is to Argentina what Sale is to Mexico, an all-purpose casual agreement. You will hear it constantly in Buenos Aires. It can also function as encouragement ("go for it") or as a way to end a conversation on a positive note: Bueno, dale, nos vemos (OK, sure, see you).

Ya

Ya is one of those small words that punches above its weight. As an affirmative, it signals "I hear you" or "got it." Be careful with tone: a flat Ya sounds like resigned acknowledgment, while a repeated Ya, ya can convey impatience, similar to saying "Yeah, yeah" in English.

Órale

Órale is a Swiss Army knife of Mexican Spanish. Depending on intonation, it can express agreement, surprise, admiration, or urgency. As an affirmative, it conveys enthusiastic approval, closer to "right on!" than a simple "yes."

Venga

Venga is Spain's casual go-to for agreement. Its literal meaning is "come" (subjunctive form), but in everyday use it means "alright" or "let's do it." You will hear it constantly in Spanish TV series and daily conversation across Spain. Using it in Latin America would immediately identify you as someone familiar with Peninsular Spanish.

Ways to Say No

Spanish offers an equally rich set of negatives, from a gentle No, gracias to the conversation-ending De ninguna manera. According to linguist Antonio Briz Gómez, Spanish speakers tend to soften refusals more than English speakers, often adding explanations or cushioning phrases.

No

Just like Sí, No is the essential building block. Native speakers almost always soften it with additional words: No, gracias (no, thank you), No, lo siento (no, I'm sorry), or No, pero... (no, but...). A bare No in response to a request can come across as curt, especially in formal settings.

Para nada

Para nada can work in two opposite emotional directions. As a reassurance ("Not at all, don't worry about it"), it is warm and accommodating. As a denial ("Absolutely not, that's not true"), it is emphatic. Context and tone make the distinction clear.

Ni hablar

When you want to shut down a suggestion firmly but without hostility, Ni hablar is the phrase. The literal meaning ("not even speak") captures its intent: the topic is not even worth discussing. It is direct without being rude.

Qué va

Qué va is the perfect phrase for gently dismissing something you find unlikely or incorrect. It carries a tone of friendly disbelief rather than confrontation. Think of it as the Spanish equivalent of "Oh, come on" or "As if."

Ni de broma

This colorful expression adds personality to a refusal. By invoking the concept of a joke, you are saying that even in the most hypothetical, least serious scenario, the answer is still no. It is emphatic but usually delivered with a smile.

De ninguna manera

This is the heavyweight of Spanish negation. De ninguna manera leaves zero ambiguity. You will encounter it in formal speeches, legal settings, and news interviews. In casual conversation, it can sound dramatic, which is sometimes exactly the intended effect.

Nunca

Nunca transforms a simple refusal into an absolute, permanent one. It answers not just "no" but "no, and not in the future either." The emphatic form Nunca jamás (never ever) is the Spanish equivalent of slamming a door shut on a topic.

En absoluto

En absoluto is interesting because it looks like it should mean "absolutely" (an affirmative), but in Spanish it means the opposite: "absolutely not" or "not at all." This is a common trip-up for English speakers. Context makes the meaning clear, but be aware of this false friend.

Softening a No: The Polite Refusal Toolkit

Spanish culture generally values indirect communication when declining. Here are common patterns for saying no without sounding harsh.

According to research by Antonio Briz Gómez at the Universidad de Valencia, Spanish speakers use approximately twice as many softening strategies when refusing as when agreeing. Adding a brief explanation (even a vague one) is considered much more polite than a bare no.

Regional Summary

The regional distribution of yes-and-no expressions is one of the clearest markers of where a Spanish speaker is from. The Instituto Cervantes notes that these informal affirmatives and negatives are among the first features linguists examine when identifying regional speech patterns.

Practice With Real Spanish Content

Reading about these expressions is a strong foundation, but hearing them in natural conversation is what makes them stick. Spanish-language films and TV shows are packed with these affirmatives and negatives. La Casa de Papel features constant use of Spain's Venga and Ni hablar, while Mexican productions are full of Órale and Sale.

Wordy lets you watch Spanish movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap any word (including these affirmatives and negatives) to see its meaning, pronunciation, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from authentic conversations with real intonation.

For more Spanish content, explore our blog for guides on everything from the best movies for learning Spanish to greetings, farewells, and beyond. You can also visit our Spanish learning page to start practicing today.