Saying Yes and No

Level 1

Answer a question with its own verb.

How It Works

QuestionYesNo
Marcus ridet?Ridet.Non ridet.
Iulia cantat?Ita.Minime.
Pueri in horto sunt?Certe.Non sunt.

Repeating the verb is the plainest answer. Ita and certe add a little weight, and minime is a strong no.

Later you will meet the question words nonne and num, which show which answer the speaker expects.

A speaker can add vero (truly) for emphasis: Ita vero means Yes, indeed. To practice, answer your own questions aloud: Marcus ridet? Ridet. Iulia cantat? Non cantat.

When you ask someone directly, the answer changes person: Rides? Rideo. (Are you laughing? I am.)

Examples (5)

  1. Marcus ridet? Ridet.

    Is Marcus laughing? He is.

    The yes repeats the verb ridet.

  2. Iulia cantat? Ita.

    Is Iulia singing? Yes.

    Ita means so it is.

  3. Pueri in horto sunt? Certe.

    Are the boys in the garden? Certainly.

    Certe means certainly.

  4. Puella cantat? Minime.

    Is the girl singing? Not at all.

    Minime is a firm no.

  5. Marcus in villa est? Non est.

    Is Marcus in the house? He is not.

    The no repeats the verb with non.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Saying Yes and NoLevel 1

Learn This First

Saying no repeats the verb with non, so non comes first.

Words in This Pattern

itacertenonminimeita vero