How to Say ‘Yes’ in German [21 Ways to Agree]
How do you say ‘yes’ in German? You may already know the standard German word for ‘yes’, ja. This simple two letter word is easy enough to remember, but there are also many other ways to say ‘yes’ and agree in German. Whatever the situation there’ll be a suitable ‘yes’ word or phrase.
In this post we will look at 21 of the most common ways to say ‘yes’ in German. So if you’re ready to agree to something auf Deutsch, let’s get started!
Ja
Meaning: Yes
Chances are you already know this word, and if you don’t you’re probably relieved to see that the German word for ‘yes’ is very straightforward. We can use it in all situations, and just like in English, it can be paired with ‘thank you’ and ‘please’
Jawohl
Meaning: Yes!
If you want to add a bit more enthusiasm to the simple ja then jawohl is the word for you! Imagine that ja is an 8 on the positivity scale, then jawohl turns this up to 11!
| Können Sie dieses Projekt heute abschließen? | Can you finish this project today? |
| Jawohl Chef! | Yes boss! |
Okay
Meaning: Okay
I don’t think this one needs much explanation. Used in just the same way as we use it in English. Nice and easy!
Na klar
Meaning: Of course / sure
This phrase doesn’t really translate well as na means ‘well’ and klar means ‘clear’ or ‘alright’, but it’s meaning is ‘of course’ or ‘sure’. It’s a useful phrase that you’ll hear often.
| Bleibst du heute drinnen? | Will you stay inside today? |
| Na klar, es ist kalt draußen | Of course, it’s cold outside |
You may also hear another variation ja, klar which means ‘yes sure’, or even just klar (sure).
Alles klar
Meaning: Alright
Alles klar is one of those German phrases that you’ll hear a lot, in lots of different situations. Often it is used in response to understanding something, but it can also be used at agree or say ‘ok’ or ‘alright’.
Sicher
Meaning: Sure
Another common way of saying ‘sure’, you can use it in the same way as you use ‘sure’ to agree in English.
| Möchtest du heute Abend ausgehen? | Do you want to go out this evening? |
| Ja, sicher | Yes, sure |
Ich stimme Ihnen zu
Meaning: I agree with you (formal)
If you feel like sounding a bit more formal, you can make your response a little longer by saying ich stimme Ihnen zu. This is the formal version for use with people you don’t know, work colleagues etc.
If you’re speaking to someone informally, such as a friend or family member, use the informal version ich stimme dir zu.
The verb zustimmen (to agree) is conjugated and because this is a separable verb, the zu moves to the end.
| Ich stimme Ihnen zu, ich glaube, der Verkehr ist schlimmer geworden | I agree with you, I think the traffic has got worse |
Das stimmt
Meaning: That’s right / That’s true
Das stimmt, often shortened to just stimmt, is a phrase you’ll hear quite a lot. Think of it as a shortened version of the previous phrase ich stimme dir zu.
| Das war ein toller Abend! | That was a great evening! |
| Stimmt! | That’s true! |
Das ist wahr
Meaning: That is true
If you need yet another way to say ‘that’s true’, German has another phrase to offer. Wahr translates as ‘true’.
| Ich habe mich wirklich schlecht benommen, das ist wahr | I behaved really badly, that is true |
Das klingt gut
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Meaning: That sounds good
Another way to say agree with something or say ‘yes’ in German without actually saying ‘yes’. A nice phrase if you want to express that not only are you saying ‘yes’, but you’re also really keen on the idea. You could also change it up a bit and say das klingt schön (that sounds nice / lovely).
| Lass uns ein Eis kaufen | Let’s buy an ice cream |
| Das klingt gut | That sounds good |
Warum nicht?
Meaning: Why not?
Someone who is up for anything and likes trying new things might use warum nicht? as a response to a suggestion. This is quite a casual, laid back response that you’ll hear among friends.
| Willst du Fallshirmspringen ausprobieren? | Do you want to try out skydiving? |
| Klar, warum nicht? | Sure, why not? |
Kein Problem
Meaning: No problem
Another easy phrase for English speakers. Can be used when someone asks you to help them with something, and you agree.
| Kannst du mir bei der deutschen Grammatik helfen? | Can you help me with German grammar? |
| Kein Problem | No problem |
Auf jeden Fall
Meaning: Definitely
Translated directly as ‘in any case’, auf jeden Fall can be used on it’s own or as part of a sentence. It is strongly positive and can be used bit like how English speakers would exclaim ‘definitely!’ or ‘absolutely!’
| Das ist auf jeden Fall eine gute Idee | That’s definitely a good idea |
Natürlich
Meaning: Of course
Natürlich is a really common word, you’ll probably hear it all the time. Think of it as the English word ‘naturally’, which is sometimes used instead of ‘of course’.
| Hast du das Buch schon fertig gelesen? | Have you finished reading that book yet? |
| Ja natürlich, vor eine Woche | Yes of course, a week ago |
Türlich / ‘türlich
Meaning: ‘course!
Türlich is the abbreviated version of natürlich. A bit like English speakers saying ‘course’ instead of ‘of course’. You’ll definitely hear natürlich more often, but this shortened version is good to know.
Doch
Meaning: Yes, on the contrary
Doch is one of those very German words that we don’t really have a translation for in English. It is used to respond positively to a negative question. The nearest we have in English is ‘on the contrary’. If someone says something negative, use doch to contradict them. Here are a couple of examples:
| Du hast es gestern Abend nicht zur Party geschafft? | You didn’t make it to the party last night? |
| Doch, ich war dabei | Yes, I was there |
| Du magst keinen Kaffee, oder? | You don’t like coffee do you? |
| Doch, ich mag den Geschmack | Yes, I like the taste |
Also gut
Meaning: Ok then
If you’re agreeing to something but somewhat reluctantly you can say also gut. The person you say this to will understand that you are agreeing with them, but that you’ve taking some convincing to do so. It’s not necessarily a negative statement, but you’ll express that you’re not 100% happy about what you’ve agreed to.
| Du gibst also das Rauchen auf? | So, you’re going to give up smoking? |
| Also gut | Ok then |
Mal sehen
Meaning: We’ll see
Another one for those who don’t want to fully commit with a ‘yes’. Mal sehen is a great little phrase to buy you more time. Use it in the same way as we use ‘we’ll see’ in English.
| Möchtest du am Wochenende zum Strand fahren? | Do you want to go to the beach at the weekend? |
| Mal sehen, das hängt davon ab, das Wetter gut ist | We’ll see, it depends if the weather is good |
Vielleicht
Meaning: Maybe
One more word to remember for the unsure among us. Vielleicht translates as ‘maybe’, and you can go ahead and use it in the same as way as you would in English.
So now you know 21 different ways to agree and say ‘yes’ in German. Some occasions call for an enthusiastic jawhol! while others you maybe more reluctant to agree to something so opt for mal sehen.