Shì de (是的): How to say "Yes" in Chinese

是的

shì de

Yes

Character breakdown

是

to be

shì

的

particle

Grammar and structure

是的 (shì de) is a fixed expression: 是 (shì) means "to be" and 的 (de) is a particle that nominalizes, together forming a confirmation meaning "it is so".

Variations and politeness

对

duì

Correct — Shorter and more colloquial.

没错

méi cuò

That's right — More colloquial way to agree.

是啊

shì a

Yeah — Informal and friendlier.

Mini dialogue

你觉得这个主意怎么样？

nǐ juéde zhège zhǔyì zěnme yàng?

What do you think of this idea?

是的，我认为不错。

shì de, wǒ rènwéi bùcuò.

Yes, I think it's not bad.

When to use it

Appropriate

When answering a yes/no question affirmatively.
When confirming a statement or fact.
In both formal and informal situations.

Avoid when

When agreeing with a negative statement; use 对 (duì) or 没错 (méi cuò) instead.
When you want to say 'yes' to an offer or request; use 好的 (hǎo de) or 可以 (kě yǐ) instead.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say 'yes' in Chinese?

The most common way is 是的 (shì de), which literally means 'it is so'. You can also use 对 (duì) or 没错 (méi cuò) for 'correct' or 'that's right'.

How do you pronounce 是的?

It is pronounced 'shì de'. The first syllable 'shì' has a falling tone, and the second syllable 'de' is neutral and unstressed.

When do you use 是的 instead of 对?

是的 is slightly more formal and emphasizes confirmation, while 对 is more casual and means 'correct'. Both can be used to agree, but 是的 is better for formal settings or when you want to be polite.