Table of Contents
If you visit a country and don’t know the language very well, it can be difficult to find your way around at first. Having a few basic language skills can greatly improve your situation. When you start learning German, you don’t start with sentences, you start with words. The first things you usually learn are “Yes” and “No”. Knowing how to express your desires can be extremely useful in a foreign country – a simple No can save your life and a short “Yes” can open many doors.
When learning a new language, how to say “yes” and “no” may be one of the first things you learn. The easiest and most common way to say “yes” in German is to simply say “I” (YAH). Just like in English, there are plenty of other German words and phrases you can learn to express agreement or acceptance.
Master the German Language with Entri App! Click Here for Free Trial Class!
How to Say Yes in German
If you really want to master everyday German, start with the basics, like saying “yes”. The easiest and most common way to do this is by using the word “I”. Imagine it sounds like the English “yah”. You’ll hear it everywhere—in casual chats and serious conversations. Getting the word out is essential. Your goal is to agree or show that you understand, which is very helpful as you dive deeper into learning German.
| German | English |
| Ja | Yes |
| Genau | Exactly |
| Sicher | Sure |
| Klar | Clear/For sure |
| Jawohl | Yes indeed |
| Selbstverständlich | Obviously |
| In Ordnung | Alright |
| Richtig | Correct |
| Absolut | Absolutely |
| Stimmt | That’s right |
| Bestimmt | Definitely |
Informal and Casual Affirmatives
Casual and informal ways to say “yes” in German make conversation easier and easier. These phrases are key to keeping it light, especially with friends and family.
For example, “Na klar” means “Of course”. It shows a strong match. “Okay” and “Klar” are simple and common in many situations. “Genau” meaning “Exactly” is great for backing up what someone just said. Knowing these phrases helps anyone get along better in everyday German chats.
| German | English |
| Ja | Yes |
| Klaro | Sure thing |
| Na klar | Of course |
| Jo | Yeah |
| Alles klar | All good |
| Passt | It fits/It works |
| Yep | Yep |
| Genau so | Just like that |
| Logo | Obviously |
| Jupp | Yup |
| Gerne | Gladly |
| Schon gut | It’s okay |
| Sicher doch | Sure, why not |
| Auf jeden | For sure |
| Kein Ding | No big deal |
Formal and Polite Expressions
In formal and polite settings, German has many ways to respectfully agree. You can use phrases like “of course”, “certainly” and “naturally”. They convey respect and professionalism. You can also say “I agree with you” or “That’s right” during formal conversations or agreements. Using these phrases will help you stay polite and show that you understand and are engaged in the conversation. It’s about being respectful while making sure you clearly agree.
| German | English |
| Ja, natürlich | Yes, of course |
| Selbstverständlich | Certainly |
| Aber ja | But of course |
| Gewiss | Certainly |
| Sehr gerne | With pleasure |
| Doch | Yes (after a negative) |
| Natürlich, gerne | Naturally, gladly |
| Mit Sicherheit | With certainty |
| Ohne Zweifel | Without a doubt |
| In der Tat | Indeed |
| Einverstanden | Agreed |
| Bestimmt | Definitely |
| Ja, selbstverständlich | Yes, obviously |
| Ganz richtig | Quite right |
| Das ist korrekt | That is correct |
Non Commital Responses
Here is a table of optional answers for how to say “Yes” in German. These phrases can be used in conversations when you want to come to an agreement without making a firm commitment.
| German Phrase | English Translation | Context of Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Ja, vielleicht | Yes, maybe | Used when you agree but are unsure. |
| Könnte sein | Could be | Expresses uncertainty but leans toward agreement. |
| Eventuell | Possibly | Indicates something is likely but not certain. |
| Ja, mal sehen | Yes, we’ll see | Implies agreement but leaves room for change. |
| Möglich | It’s possible | Used when you’re not fully committing but suggesting potential agreement. |
| Denke schon | I think so | Indicates you believe it’s a yes, but not definite. |
| Warum nicht? | Why not? | Casual agreement, indicating there’s no reason to disagree. |
| Ja, könnte man so machen | Yes, one could do it that way | Suggests agreement but not a strong endorsement. |
| Soweit ich weiß, ja | As far as I know, yes | Implies agreement based on limited knowledge. |
| Vermutlich | Presumably | Used when you assume something is correct but are not entirely certain. |
| Na gut | Alright then | Reluctant but agreeable. |
| Klingt gut | Sounds good | Casual agreement based on the idea, though not fully committed. |
| Ich denke schon | I think so | Suggests a tentative yes, but with some hesitation. |
Practice German : The Tips and Tricks
1: How do you say "Good Morning" in German?
1. Know Your Goal – And Plan How to Get There
The best way to learn German is to know what you expect from your learning experience. Consider why you are learning German to determine what your goals should be. Of course, your goals will be different if you are on a business trip to Germany than if you are a student learning German for a class.
Once you know why you are learning German, you can set your ultimate goal. If you have a time frame in which you need to achieve your goal, this will determine how quickly you need to learn German. Start working backwards and set smaller goals to keep yourself motivated. Achieving small goals gives you a reason to keep learning.
2. Study Daily
Learning German (or any other language) is easier if you set aside time every day to study. It’s easy in the beginning because you’re probably excited about a new project.
Over time, that enthusiasm can begin to wane. If you’re already in the habit of studying every day, it won’t seem as annoying as if you only study occasionally.
3. Prioritize Key Words
German and English are very similar, including the use of several key words. Your ultimate goal will determine which words will be key for you. If you’re learning it for work, the keywords will be significantly different than if you’re learning informal German or technical German.
Take the time to learn which words and phrases will help you use German on a daily basis. The more words you use, the easier it is to get used to the new language.
4. Start Talking from the Beginning
This is the hardest part of learning German; most of us don’t feel confident enough to speak a new language in the beginning. The problem is that the longer you speak German, the less likely you are to have a good command of the language.
Yes, you will sound stupid at first. But isn’t it better to do it in the first days than to start speaking German after a few months? They’re more likely to correct you early, which means you’ll incorporate correct grammar and sounds much sooner than if you waited until you were speaking.
5. Study Vocabulary Daily
In addition to studying German every day, you must practice your German vocabulary every day. Building your vocabulary will make speaking easier, which will encourage you to speak more often. It also gives you a wider range of topics to discuss, which will make you feel excited about learning German.
Master the German Language with Entri App! Click Here for Free Trial Class!
In short, learning different ways to say “yes” in German will really help you communicate better and understand the culture better. Everyone knows “I”, but there are also expressions like “Na klar” and polite ways of saying it like “Selbstverständlich”. Knowing them will help you better fit into different situations. If you want to improve your German and make friends in German-speaking places, remember how important context and tone are when you agree with someone, as you will continue to learn.
