To say yes in Italian, you use two letters and an accent: sì. As in English, it is used both as an interjection and a way to express a positive answer. The grave accent above the i is very important. Without the accent, si becomes a noun or a pronoun. (You can read more about this further down.)

Carla, mi vuoi sposare? – Sì!
Carla, do you want to marry me? – Yes!
As in English, you can use sì to reply positively to a negation:
Non avrai mica intenzione di bere tutta la bottiglia, vero? – Sì!
You’re not planning on drinking the whole bottle, are you? – Yes!
Sì can also be followed by words that strengthen your answer:
- sì, certo or sì, certo che sì = yes, of course / yes, of course yes
- sì, assolutamente = yes, absolutely
- sì, certamente = yes, certainly
In English, you can add yes to the end of a question as a way of seeking confirmation. You can do the same in Italian, although you’ll hear words such as vero (true) or giusto (correct) more frequently, just as you would often use right in English.
Lui è tuo figlio, sì (giusto) ? – Sì!
He is your son, yes (right) ? – Yes!
In English, we often use tag questions such as didn’t you at the end of a sentence, whereas in Italian, sì, vero or giusto will do the job.
Ti sei ricordato di ritirare la ricetta, vero? – Sì, l’ho ritirata questa mattina.
You did remember to get the prescription, didn’t you? – Yes, I got it this morning.
You can say Sì? when answering the door or the telephone. In the case of the latter, you may prefer the popular Pronto? which literally means ready.
Sì is also an effective way to express joy:
Sì! Ho finalmente superato gli esami!
Yes! I finally passed my exams!
There are other expressions to emphasis joy or happiness, and they can often be mixed together in the same sentence:
- Evvai! Evviva! = Hurray!
- E vai! E andiamo! = Come on!
- Ma vai! Ma vieni!
- Ma chi sono!?! (this one is self-congratulatory)
L’Italia ha vinto i mondiali di calcio! – Ma vieni! Ma vai! Grandi! Forza azzurri, sì! Ora si va a festeggiare in piazza! Ma andiamo!
Italy has won the World Cup! – Yes! Come on! Go Azzurri! Yes! Now we’re off to celebrate in the square! Come on!
The video below is a scene from the Italian comedy Tre Uomini e Una Gamba featuring the popular comedic trio Aldo, Giovanni e Giacomo. At minute 2:16, Giovanni decides to show off in front of some kids. Pay attention to what he says when he gloats.
Note: Ma vai can also be a friendly way of telling someone off. Ma vai, va! or Ma vai via! mean get lost. It is a shortened version of expressions such as:
Vai a quel paese! = Lit: Go to that country!
Vaffambagno! (Va’ a fa’ ‘n bagno!) = Lit: Go take a bath!
and more vulgar ones!
Other meanings
Without the grave accent on the i, si can mean various things:
- the musical note (B in English)
- a reflexive pronoun (1), third person impersonal pronoun (2), or third person passive pronoun (3)
(1) Hai visto Giorgio? Si è comprato la moto nuova.
Have you seen Giorgio? He’s bought himself a new bike.
(2) In Italia si cena tardi.
In Italy people have dinner late.
(3) Questo numero si chiama solo in caso di emergenza.
This number is to be called only in case of emergency.
Trivia
Sì is the last word in the lyrics of the Italian national anthem (Inno di Mameli). I had the chance to hear it live at the closing ceremony of 2006 Turin Olympic Games and the final sì yelled out by the entire stadium had an incredibly powerful effect!
Stringiamoci a coorte,
siam pronti alla morte.
Siam pronti alla morte,
l’Italia chiamò! Sì!
Let us join in a cohort,
We are ready to die.
We are ready to die,
Italy has called! Yes!
This clip from a volleyball game isn’t quite the same as the closing ceremony, but you can get an idea of what the anthem sounds like when sung by a crowd of people.
Additional phrases:
Vuoi venire con noi a teatro questa sera? – Sì, con piacere!
Do you want to come with us to the theatre tonight? – Yes, with pleasure!
Allora, che cosa ti ha risposto? – Mi ha detto di sì!!
So, what did he say? – He said yes!!
Sei sicuro di aver preso i biglietti? – Sì, sicurissimo!
Are you sure you got the tickets? – Yes, very sure!
L’hai scritta tu questa canzone? – Sì, ti piace? – È bellissima!
Did you write this song? – Yes, do you like it? – It’s wonderful!
FAQs
What are other ways to say yes in Italian? ›
If you'd like to say “yes” in Italian, you'd generally say “sì.” In some situations you could also use “certo,” which means certainly/definitely/sure but which implies “yes.”
Does SÌ mean yes? ›“Si” means “Yes” after a negative question or affirmation. “Si” also means “So much”, like “tellement.” “Si” is a musical note in French music.
How do you say B * * * * in Italian? ›How do Italians say b****? The Italian word for b**** is "puttana". You can use it in various swearing expressions, such as "porca puttana" or "andare a puttane" (which means that something goes bad or is failing).
Is Tutto Bene Italian? ›Pictures bearing the slogan andrà tutto bene – everything will be alright – are all over Italian social media today as people seek to reassure each other and brighten up days spent at home under quarantine.
How do you use Tutto Bene? ›Tutto bene. All's good. If you are alright, you can just say “tutto bene”, meaning “all's good.”
Is it SÌ or sí? ›Si (without an accent) is a conjunction that means 'if', whereas sí (with an accent) is either an adverb that means 'yes', or a pronoun that means 'oneself' – usually.
Do Italians say si? ›To say yes in Italian, you use two letters and an accent: sì. As in English, it is used both as an interjection and a way to express a positive answer. The grave accent above the i is very important. Without the accent, si becomes a noun or a pronoun.
What does Sie mean? ›(intransitive) To sink; fall; drop.
What does ugatz mean in Italian? ›(inanimate) breast synonyms ▲ Synonyms: bular, titi. (inanimate) breastmilk.
What does chin chin mean in Italian? ›"Chin chin" is the Italian way to say "Cheers!".
What does gula mean in Italian? ›
sugar (sucrose from sugar cane or sugar beet and used to sweeten food and drink)
What is the most Italian thing to say? ›- Mamma mia! Mamma mia! ...
- Che bello! Che bello! ...
- Uffa! Uffa! ...
- Che ne so! / Boh! ...
- Magari! ...
- Ti sta bene! ...
- Non te la prendere! ...
- Che macello!
The most used Italian word is arguably cosa, which translates in many ways in English — including “what”, “thing”, and “matter” — depending on its inflection, grammatical function, or the overall context of the sentence. Examples: Dammi la cosa rossa.
What is the most common Italian greeting? ›The common verbal greeting is “Ciao” (Hello). This is quite casual. People may also say “Buongiorno” (Good day) or “Buonasera” (Good evening) to be more formal. Address a person by their title and last name, and continue to do so until invited to move to a first-name basis.
What is molto bene? ›very well fine, okay. (Translation of molto bene from the PASSWORD Italian–English Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)
What does Mangia tutto mean? ›Welcome to Mangia Tutto ~ Italian for “Eat Everything”
What is Stai bene? ›Translation of "stai bene, cara" in English. are you all right, love.
How do Italians use Prego? ›The most common translation is 'you're welcome': prego is what you say when someone else thanks you. – Grazie mille!
What does Tutto mean? ›An extremely useful word in Italian is tutto which translates as everything in English.
What does Tutto Fresco mean in Italian? ›TUTTO FRESCO MEANS "EVERYTHING FRESH"
What is no Sé? ›
In spoken Spanish both "no lo sé" and "no sé" (I don't know) are used very often, but it is often difficult for learners to know when it's possible to omit the article "lo".
What is the difference between SI and SÌ in Italian? ›"Sì" with accent is an adverb meaning "yes". "Si" without accent is a singular third-person pronoun that can have different uses and meanings.
How do Italian say no? ›As mentioned, to say no in Italian, simply say “no, grazie” (no, thank you) to answer negatively but respectfully. But, there are also various Italian alternatives. Let's see how to use Italian phrases like non penso/non credo, macché, or neanche per sogno!
What is the Italian word for OK? ›In the Italian language, “Ok” means “Va bene.” Although it is an English word, “Ok” has become a pretty common Italian word with time. It is often used in other languages.
Why do Italians say bah? ›tut(-tut) [interjection] used in writing to represent the sound used to express disapproval, mild annoyance etc.
What is sie used for? ›As in other European languages, German has both a formal and a familiar form of “you.” The formal Sie is used to address strangers, business associates, and acquaintances (Bekannte, as opposed to close friends, Freunde), and for most situations outside the family.
Is Sie a female? ›But, when used as direct object (accusative) or with accusative prepositions, sie can mean either “her” (referring to someone/something feminine) or “they” (referring to more than one person/thing): Ich sehe sie.
Is Sie she or they? ›In a way, since it's the 2nd person singular / plural, it should not only be listed TWICE (<– if we're being thorough), but it should be up in the 2nd person parts of the chart. HOWEVER, the different forms of Sie (You [formal], singular/plural) are exactly the same as the sie (= they [3rd person plural]).
What does Stugotz mean in Italian? ›Stugots is Italian mob slang lingo - Italian term that refers to the male genetalia. It is used to describe an idiot or a jerk. Stugots is also the name of Tony Sopranos boat on the HBO series The Sopranos.
What is Goomba in Italian? ›The word goombah is an Anglicized version of the Italian phrase cumpà or compare, which means “friend” or “godfather.” Many Southern Italian pronunciations of this word sound like “goombah” to English speakers.
What is a Goomah? ›
goomah (plural goomahs) (Italian-American slang) A mistress. (slang) The mistress of a Mafioso. quotations ▼
What does Chichi mean in Italian? ›chichi {adjective}
pretenzioso {adj.} chichi (also: flatulent, highfalutin, highfaluting, la-di-da, pseud) vistoso {adj.} chichi (also: chintzy, meretricious, splashy, flaring)
The response to grazie that you're most likely to use or hear is prego (you're welcome), or you could say di niente (not at all). For greater emphasis you can use s'immagini or si figuri in the formal form, and figurati informally (don't mention it).
What do Italians say when they toast? ›How do you toast in Italian? If you'd like to make a toast, you can either say "cin cin" or "salute". "Cin cin" recalls the sound the glasses make when clinked, while "salute" literally means health.
What does Di Bella mean in Italian? ›Italian: metronymic from the medieval female personal name Bella, meaning 'beautiful'.
Why do Italians say Bella? ›Bella is the feminine singular for “beautiful” in Italian. Taken together, ciao bella is a colloquial, familiar way of saying “hello” or “goodbye” to one woman (as opposed to a group).
Why do Italians say Bello? ›Bello is an Italian adjective that one will use often when visiting the “bel paese”—so many people are and places are beautiful, nice, and lovely in Italy!
What is Dolce Vita? ›noun Italian. sweet life; the good life perceived as one of physical pleasure and self-indulgence (usually preceded by la).
What do Italians say before a meal? ›"Buon appetito" is an italian phrase said before and during a meal, thus, it is certainly categorized as an eating phrase.
How do Italians say wow? ›Ammazza! – This word means 'wow', 'oh my goodness' or 'I can't believe it'.
What is a beautiful Italian word? ›
One of the first Italian word people learn is 'bello' = beautiful. It is a very useful word in any language but it is a particularly useful one to know in Italian since it is widely used in very many different contexts.
What is something Italians always say? ›What Italian phrases must I know? We've covered most of the essentials here including hello (ciao), goodbye (ciao), please (per favore), thank you (grazie), and excuse me (mi scusi).
How can I learn Italian fast? ›- Put new words into practice. How fast can you learn Italian? ...
- Master the pronunciation first. ...
- Language immersion. ...
- Listen to Italian music and podcasts. ...
- Watch Italian movies and TV shows. ...
- Make your learning practical. ...
- Read Italian children's books. ...
- Follow the Italian news.
- It is common for Italian friends and families to kiss on the cheek when they meet, irrespective of their gender.
- Stand up out of respect when an older person enters the room.
- It is important to dress neatly and respectfully.
- Cover your mouth when yawning or sneezing.
- Hats should be removed indoors.
First off, tipping in Italy is neither mandatory nor expected, but if you do decide to do so, the gesture is a very clear indicator that you appreciated the service provided.
What does Mi Che mean? ›miche f (plural miches) round loaf, cob loaf. (in the plural, colloquial) buns, bum, butt.
What means Che cosa? ›Che cosa is the classic literary form of what in Italian. Translated word for word, che means what and cosa means thing so literally che cosa means what thing. Interestingly it is also possible to use che and cosa on their own to mean what, but according to L'Accademia della Crusca, each region has its own preference.
Is Aye Aye Aye Italian? ›“Ay-ay-ay” is an exclamation which entered American pop culture from Mexican Spanish in various ways. In informal conversation, the phrase means literally “oh, oh, oh” and conveys a sense of dismay. For example, in 1882, the popular song “Cielito Lindo” included this phrase in the chorus.
What does Chi Che mean? ›Adjective. chiche (plural chiches) mean, stingy synonyms ▲ Synonyms: mesquin, radin. scanty, meagre, stingy. (colloquial, predicative only) able, capable.
What does mi Chero mean? ›pal (informal) ⧫ mate (Brit) (informal) ⧫ buddy (esp US) (informal)
What is mi bebe mean? ›
English Translation. my baby.
What does Molto Bene? ›If you'd like to say “very good” in Italian, you'd generally say “molto bene.” That said, there are some common informal and/or slang expressions that convey the same idea: benissimo.
What is the meaning of Tutto Bene? ›– Tutto bene? – Tutto bene. : –Is everything alright? –Everything's fine.
What is the Italian word for no? ›Common ways to say no in Italian. Non penso/ Non credo.
What does nada mean in Italian? ›This is the Italian equivalent of the Spanish “de nada”. It literally translates as “for nothing” and you can use it to somehow reduce the importance of what the person is thanking you for, and let them know it was no hassle for you at all.
Is there no Y Italian? ›Vowels in Italian
The letter Y in Italian doesn't exist, so the five classic vowels—A, E, I, O, and U—do all the work.
The letters J, K, W, X and Y are not part of the proper alphabet, and appear only in loanwords (e.g. 'jeans', 'weekend'), foreign names, and in a handful of native words—such as the names Jesolo, Bettino Craxi, and Walter, which all derive from regional languages.
Does yes in Italian have an accent? ›To say yes in Italian, you use two letters and an accent: sì. As in English, it is used both as an interjection and a way to express a positive answer. The grave accent above the i is very important. Without the accent, si becomes a noun or a pronoun.