To say “yes” in Italian, you’ll usually say sì. It’s probably one of the very first Italian words you’ll learn. But do you know Italians have many other ways to say “yes” or to agree, depending on the context?
The Italian language is anything but repetitive, and the more expressions you know, the more natural you’ll sound. So, let’s boost your vocabulary with these common and expressive ways to say “yes” in Italian!
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How to use sì in Italian correctly
Sì is an adverb that means “yes” in Italian. It comes from the Latin word sīc (so). Look carefully at the spelling! Sì with an accent on the letter “i” means “yes.” Si (no accent) is a pronoun in Italian or it could be the musical note B.
It’s considered a parola-frase—a word that acts as a full sentence—so it is generally used as a standalone to answer a question. Its opposite is the word no, which is the same as in English.
- Parli italiano? = Do you speak Italian?
- Sì/No = Yes/No
Italians sometimes pair sì with other Italian adverbs or repeat it twice for emphasis.
- Sì sì! = Yes, yes!
- Sì, davvero! = Yes, really!
- Certo che sì. = Of course, yes.
You’ll also hear it in indirect answers.
- Ha detto di sì. = He/she said yes.
- Ha fatto cenno di sì. = He/she nodded yes.
Sì has different intonations for different uses
Italians pronounce sì like a question when answering the phone.
- Sì? = Hello? (informal for pronto?)
It has the same question-like intonation when your name is called.
- Maria!
- Sì? = Yes?
Intonation matters also to communicate irritation or sarcasm.
- Sììì, mamma mia! = Yesss, for heaven’s sake!
- Sììì, ho capito! = Yesss, I got it!
- Sì, ciaooo! = Yeah, right!
- Sì, domani! = Sure, tomorrow! (sarcastic when someone is dragging their feet)
Other important ways to say ‘yes’ in Italian (besides sì)
Even a simple word like sì has plenty of alternatives, so you don’t have to rely on the same word every time. These other ways to say “yes” in Italian can help you be more expressive and targeted in your conversations with local shop owners and waiters. One thing you’ll notice in the phrases below are variations of the word as an Italian adverb that can also function as adjectives. You can tell because they take the “-mente” ending as an adverb of manner. These forms are more polished and generally less common in spoken Italian compared to written.
Certo/certamente
Certo means “of course” in Italian and expresses explicit agreement to something.
- Vai stasera? = Are you going tonight?
- Certo! = Of course!
Certamente is slightly more polite and common in writing or when using the formal “you.”
- Mi può aiutare con questo documento? = Can you help me with this document?
- Certamente, me ne occupo subito. = Of course, I’ll take care of it right away.
Okay
No need for explanation here. Ok/okay is borrowed from English. It’s super friendly and frequent in spoken Italian and text messages.
D’accordo
Literally meaning “in agreement,” d’accordo is a polite way to say “yes” or “I agree.”
- Facciamo così? = Shall we do it this way?
- D’accordo. = Agreed.
Va bene
Another replacement for “yes,” va bene translates to “alright.” Some good alternatives are bene (good) and molto bene or benissimo (both meaning “very good” in Italian).
- Porto il dolce? = Shall I bring dessert?
- Va bene. = All right.
Esatto/esattamente
Use esatto (exactly) when you want to confirm something precisely.
- Arrivi alle 11:00? = Do you arrive at 11:00 a.m.?
- Esatto! = Exactly.
Esattamente works similarly to replace “yes” in Italian, but it emphasizes how something is exact or spot on. It’s usually followed by a sentence that reinforces or explains the idea.
- Esattamente, è andata proprio così. = Exactly, that’s precisely how it went.
Senza dubbio and senz’altro
Senza dubbio/senza ombra di dubbio (without a doubt) and senz’altro (without anything else) both translate as “definitely,” “absolutely,” or “of course.”
- Sii puntuale. = Be on time.
- Senza dubbio!/Senz’altro! = Definitely!
Ovvio/ovviamente
Meaning “obvious/obviously,” these two terms best agree with something that seems self-evident. Just as in English, they can sound sincere or sarcastic, so mind the tone.
- Sei agitato? = Are you nervous?
- Ovvio. = Obviously!
While both terms can be used to mean “yes,” ovviamente often sounds more natural when it introduces an explanation or adds context, rather than standing alone.
- Ti sei divertito alla festa di Luca? = Did you have fun at Luca’s party?
- Ovviamente, le sue feste sono sempre magnifiche! = Obviously, his parties are always amazing!
Assolutamente
This is the same as the English word “absolutely.” But its meaning can be “yes” or “no” when used alone, depending on the question.
- Andrai alla festa? = Are you going to the party?
- Assolutamente. = Absolutely!
- Non andrai alla festa, vero? = You’re not going to the party, right?
- Assolutamente. = Absolutely not.
Words for ‘yes’ in other Italian dialects
The word sì (yes) is so distinctive to the language that in the 1300s, Dante Alighieri defined Italian as lingua del sì (the language of sì) to compare it with other Romance languages.
However, Italian dialects and slang have turned this simple word into various local terms over the centuries.
- Eia is a unique way to say sì in Sardinia, probably from Latin etiam (indeed).
- Eh is common in Naples and many Italian regions, especially when you mean “Yes, of course.”
- Avoja (absolutely or you bet) is a popular Roman expression, also part of Italian slang, as avoglia.
Central Italian regions have their unique pronunciations of sì (yes). You may hear:
- shi (Marche region)
- scine (Abruzzo)
- sine (Rome and nearby towns)
Familiarizing yourself with these expressions and synonyms helps you speak naturally, whether you want to order food in Italian or navigate a professional conversation. So, the learning method makes the difference.
With Rosetta Stone, you’ll learn Italian in context, practice, and get instant feedback from native speakers—the best way to say sì to your Italian journey! Discover how Rosetta Stone works now.
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