In most cases, we use oui (yes) and non (no) in French the same way as in English.
However, if someone asks you a negative question or makes a negative statement and you want to disagree with it (i.e. answer in the positive) then use si instead of oui.
Here are some examples:
Agreeing...
Disagreeing...
Summary:
- Use Oui to answer "yes" to positive questions/statements
- Use Si to answer "yes" to negative questions/statements
Note that non is always the same whether you are agreeing or disagreeing:
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Learn more about these related French grammar topics
Examples and resources
Tu ne parles pas français? - Non, je ne parle pas français.Don't you speak French? - No, I don't speak French.
Tu ne parles pas français? - Si! Je parle français.Don't you speak French? - Yes! I do speak French.
Est-ce que tu parles français? Non, je ne parle pas français.Do you speak French? No, I don't speak French.