How to Say Yes in German

1. Ja - This is the most basic way to say yes in German. It is a very direct and clear way to indicate agreement. Example: "Hast du den Kuchen gemacht?" ("Did you make the cake?") Ja ("Yes").

2. Richtig - This word is often used to indicate agreement with something that has been said. It is less direct than "Ja" and can be used to agree with a statement without explicitly saying "yes". Example: "Der Kuchen ist sehr lecker." ("The cake is very delicious.") Richtig ("Yes/That's right").

3. Genau - This word is similar to "Richtig" in that it is used to indicate agreement with something that has been said. It is also less direct than "Ja" and can be used to agree with a statement without explicitly saying "yes". Example: "Das ist meine Lieblingsfarbe." ("This is my favorite color.") Genau ("Yes/That's right").

4. Verstanden - This word is used to indicate agreement with an instruction or request. It can also be used to confirm that someone has heard and understood something. Example: "Kannst du das machen?" ("Can you do that?") Verstanden ("Yes/Understood").

5. Alles klar - This expression is often used to indicate agreement with a request or instruction. It can also be used to indicate understanding or acceptance of a situation. Example: "Du musst um 8 Uhr zu Hause sein." ("You have to be home at 8 o'clock.") Alles klar ("Yes/Understood").

Your sister comes to visit you. You haven’t seen her in a year, and have been looking forward to this holiday together for months.

You’ve prepared a feast, and made sure there were more than enough snacks in the pantry. She asks if she can help herself to some popcorn 🍿 (and she asks you in German, because she's read this guide on how to ask questions in German 😅).

How would you respond, in German? Would you simply say “Ja.”? Perhaps you would… but perhaps you would want to say something that better expresses your excitement and enthusiasm, something like: “Ja, sicher!” or “Natürlich!”.

In this article, we will explore different and nuanced ways to say “Yes” in German!

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Saying Yes in German

Natürlich! Sicher! Na Klar! Nur zu! Kein Problem!

Let’s start off with some German words that would fit the scenario in the article's introduction.

In many situations, you may wish to express enthusiasm and excitement in saying “Yes” to somebody, such as when you joyously accept a proposal 💍, or accept an invitation to a wedding 💒.

Alternatively, you may want to express assurance in saying “Yes”, such as when someone asks if you’ll still accompany them to the doctor, or if you’re sure you want to go ahead with the nose piercing.

In these situations, you may use the words: “Natürlich”, “Sicher”, “Na Klar”, “Nur zu” and “Kein Problem”.

Examples

Eben! Genau! Total! Richtig! Das sehe ich auch!

When you meet somebody who just “gets you”; who seems to truly understand what you’re trying to say, it can be a pretty special experience. In such a context, you may describe a feeling or situation, to have that friend confirm they understand just what you mean with a similar description of their own. Feeling truly heard, you may respond with something like “Exactly!

That’s exactly what I’m talking about!”. Well, in German, you may say something like “Genau!”, “Eben!”, “Total!”, “Richtig!” or “Das sehe ich auch” to mean the same thing.

These words and phrases are used to express a feeling of ‘seeing eye to eye’ with someone; of concurring or being in full agreement.

Examples

Aber Hallo! Was denn sonst? Selbstverständlich!

Your best friend, who you have known since you were a child; who stuck by you through thick and thin; who is your favourite person, has just asked you to be her maid of honour / best man.

Would you do her this favour? Aber Hallo! When we’d like to express our full agreement with the enthusiastic suggestion that the answer is obviously a yes, we may use the expressions “Aber Hallo!”, “Was denn sonst?” and “Selbstverständlich”.

Alternatively, these expressions may also be used to agree in a more negative, sarcastic way, depending on the tone and context (“Holst du mich später ab?” - “Was denn sonst?”).

Examples

Warum nicht. Okay. Passt. In Ordnung.

Although these expressions, spoken with enthusiasm, can certainly come across as cheerful, commonly they are used to communicate a more subdued, less than excited version of a ‘yes’. Perhaps more of a “Meh, alright”, or a “Hm.. I guess so”, rather than an “Of course!”.

For example, when your son tidies his bedroom, only doing the bare minimum, and asks you if it looks alright, you may say “Ja, Passt.”, rather than “Ja, total!”.

Or, if you reluctantly allow your child yet another chocolate, you may do so by saying “Okay, aber nur noch eine”, rather than “Natürlich!”.

Examples

Einverstanden. Abgemacht.

When your superior at the Boot Camp you are attending tells you to make sure you are awake and ready to go at the break of dawn, you may nod your head in earnest, and say “Einverstanden”.

In a context where a certain level of respect or seriousness is expected of you, whilst you assure your parents, your boss, your partner etc. that you have heard, understood and agreed to something, “Einverstanden” and “Abgemacht” prove particularly useful.

Examples

Agreeing in German (in Discussions)

Whilst any of the expressions listed above may, of course, be used during a discussion or debate between friends, we thought it may also be helpful to provide some more phrases that you may use to agree with someone, and in doing so, clearly express your position.

Ich stimme dir zu! / Da kann ich nur zustimmen!

Das ist wahr / Das ist wirklich wahr

Du hast recht / Da hast du Recht

Ich bin ganz deiner Meinung

Da ist etwas Wahres dran

Daran besteht kein Zweifel

Ich bin ganz bei dir / Ich bin hundert Prozent bei dir

Ich denke, ja / Ich denke, doch / Ich denke schon

That's it. Now you can travel to Germany and say yes to everyone 😅.

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