yes?
/jes/ (bre, ipa) · /jes/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈyes How to pronounce yes (audio)/ (ame, mw)
yes? — noun
1. an affirmative answer given by voting or by speaking — for instance, a vote cast
an affirmative answer given by voting or by speaking — for instance, a vote cast in support of a proposal, or a spoken reply that agrees to an offer.
The final count showed fifteen yeses and only three noes.
plural form: yeses (or yesses)
Padma gave a firm yes when the committee asked if she would lead the project.
We need at least eight yes votes for the motion to pass.
After weeks of waiting, the Watanabe family finally received a yes from the university.
The proposal got a resounding yes from every member of the board.
- approval
more general; can refer to official permission rather than a single vote or reply
- affirmative
formal; common in military and radio communication contexts
- aye
used specifically in formal voting, especially in the British Parliament
文法句型
a + yes (singular)
yeses / yesses (plural)
用法筆記
A countable noun, so it needs an article or determiner (a yes, the yeses). The plural can be spelled either yeses or yesses. Common in voting and decision-making contexts to refer to the affirmative position itself, not the person holding it.
常見錯誤
yes? — adverb
1. a word that you say when you are happy to do something that someone asks you, or
a word that you say when you are happy to do something that someone asks you, or when you accept a suggestion or request
Yes, I will help you carry those heavy shopping bags.
yes + clause showing acceptance of request
Marta asked if I wanted more rice, and I said yes.
say yes for accepting an offer
The teacher gave a quick yes when the class asked to leave early.
Yes, you may borrow my bicycle for the afternoon.
Aarav nodded and said a quiet yes when the waiter came over.
- no
the direct opposite; used to refuse or disagree
文法句型
yes + clause showing acceptance
say yes
常見錯誤
2. a word that you say to strongly insist that something is true, especially when s
a word that you say to strongly insist that something is true, especially when someone doubts you or when you want to remove any uncertainty
I am not just interested — yes, I am absolutely thrilled about the trip.
yes + clause for emphasis after a statement
The answer is yes: the company is opening a new office in Taipei.
the answer is yes — fixed phrase for strong affirmation
Some friends said the plan would fail, but yes, we finished on time.
Yes, it really happened — I saw the whole thing with my own eyes.
Sahil asked if I was serious, and I told him yes, completely.
- indeed
more formal; often placed within the sentence ('It is indeed true') rather than at the start
- absolutely
stronger and more forceful; implies total certainty
- definitely
focuses on removing doubt rather than confirming
- no
used to strongly deny or negate
文法句型
the answer is yes
yes + clause affirming a statement
用法筆記
In this sense, 'yes' often introduces a clause that restates or strengthens the point made just before, creating a two-part rhetorical structure.
常見錯誤
3. a word that you say during a conversation to let the other person know that you
a word that you say during a conversation to let the other person know that you are following what they say and are ready for them to continue
Yes, I am listening — please go on with your story.
yes + listening phrase to encourage continuation
Keiko said yes, yes while her grandmother described the old photographs.
repeated 'yes, yes' as backchannel while another person speaks
Anong kept murmuring yes yes as her friend explained the problem.
The customer said yes from time to time while the agent spoke.
Yes, go ahead — tell me what happened at the meeting this morning.
文法句型
yes (as listening cue)
yes, yes (repeated)
用法筆記
Repeating 'yes, yes' quickly can signal impatience or a wish for the speaker to finish. A single 'yes' with rising intonation is a neutral listening prompt.
常見錯誤
4. a word that you say when someone makes a negative claim and you want to state th
a word that you say when someone makes a negative claim and you want to state that the opposite is true
You cannot fix it alone he said, and Yara replied Yes I can.
Yes + auxiliary verb in positive form to contradict a negative
Folake thought the shop was closed, but yes, it was open until nine.
The children insisted she was wrong and shouted Yes she is.
It is not too late, my friend said, but yes it is — the train left.
When someone says you will never succeed, you say yes you will.
- actually
softer and more explanatory than 'yes', which is direct and forceful
- on the contrary
very formal; used in writing or formal speech
- no
used to agree with a negative statement instead of contradicting it
文法句型
Yes + subject + auxiliary verb (positive form)
用法筆記
The auxiliary verb after 'yes' flips to the opposite of the negative statement: 'cannot' → 'can', 'is not' → 'is', 'will not' → 'will'. The subject pronoun stays the same.
常見錯誤
5. a word that you place after a statement so that it becomes a question, asking th
a word that you place after a statement so that it becomes a question, asking the listener whether they share your view or whether you have understood correctly
So you will meet us at the bus stop at seven, yes?
statement + yes? as a confirmation tag
That was the third question on the test, yes? I want to be sure.
You have already finished the report, yes? The boss needs it now.
Mizuki asked, The train leaves at ten, yes? before buying the tickets.
We are meeting at the usual café tomorrow morning, yes?
文法句型
statement + yes?
用法筆記
This tag use is more common in British than American English. American speakers typically use 'right?' in the same position. Do not confuse this with the tag question 'isn't it? / aren't you?', which changes form by person and tense.