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sí

seeˈsi

yes

Also: indeed, it is
A person nodding with a green checkmark next to them, indicating agreement or a positive response.

📝 In Action

¿Quieres un café? —Sí, por favor.

A1

Do you want a coffee? —Yes, please.

¿Eres de México? —Sí, soy de Guadalajara.

A1

Are you from Mexico? —Yes, I'm from Guadalajara.

Creía que no vendrías. —¡Pero sí he venido!

B1

I thought you wouldn't come. —But I did come!

Esto sí que es un problema.

B2

Now this really is a problem.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • decir que sí – to say yes
  • claro que sí – yes, of course
  • sí o sí – no matter what, for sure

Idioms & Expressions

  • un sí es no es – a tiny bit, slightly

himself, herself, itself, themselves, yourself

A person looking at their own reflection in a mirror, representing self-reference.

📝 In Action

Lo compró para sí misma.

B1

She bought it for herself.

Están muy contentos de sí mismos.

B1

They are very happy with themselves.

El gato se acurrucó sobre sí mismo.

B2

The cat curled up on itself.

Tiene que aprender a confiar en sí mismo.

B2

You (formal) have to learn to trust in yourself.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • para sí – for oneself
  • de por sí – in itself / by its very nature
  • volver en sí – to regain consciousness
  • fuera de sí – beside oneself (with anger or joy)

assent, consent, a 'yes'

NounmC1formal
A hand stamping a document with an 'Approved' stamp, representing consent or a 'yes' vote.

📝 In Action

La novia dio el sí en el altar.

B2

The bride said 'I do' (literally, 'gave the yes') at the altar.

Necesitamos el sí del comité para proceder.

C1

We need the committee's approval to proceed.

En la votación hubo más síes que noes.

C1

In the vote, there were more 'ayes' than 'nays'.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • no (a 'no')

Common Collocations

  • dar el sí – to give one's consent / to say 'I do'

B

Also: ti
NounmB2
A single musical note 'B' on a musical staff.

📝 In Action

La escala de Do mayor es: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si.

B2

The C major scale is: C, D, E, F, G, A, B.

El concierto está en si menor.

C1

The concerto is in B minor.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • si bemol – B flat
  • si sostenido – B sharp

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sí" in Spanish:

a 'yes'→assent→ti→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sí

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'sí' to mean 'for himself'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

'Sí' has two main origins from Latin. The 'yes' meaning comes from the Latin word 'sic', which meant 'so' or 'in this way'. The 'himself/herself' meaning comes from a different Latin word, 'sibi', which meant 'to or for oneself'. Over time, both evolved into the same-sounding word in Spanish, which is why the accent is so important to tell them apart from 'si' (if).

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: sìPortuguese: simFrench: si

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute most important difference between 'sí' and 'si'?

The accent mark! It changes the entire meaning. 'Sí' with an accent means 'yes' or refers to a person ('himself'). 'Si' without an accent means 'if'.

When do I use 'se' and when do I use 'sí' for reflexive actions?

Think about where it is in the sentence. 'Se' comes right before the verb (e.g., 'él se viste' - he gets dressed). 'Sí' comes after a short connecting word (a preposition) like 'para', 'a', or 'de' (e.g., 'habla para sí' - he talks to himself).

Can 'sí' be plural?

Yes, but only when it's used as a noun meaning 'an approval' or 'a yes vote'. In that case, the plural is 'síes'. For example, 'La propuesta recibió muchos síes' (The proposal received many 'yes' votes).