òc, non, benlèu

Yes, No and Maybe

Level 1

Three short words answer most questions.

How It Works

Three words answer a yes-or-no question.

WordMeaningExample
òcyesÒc, parli occitan.
nonnoNon, parli pas anglés.
benlèumaybeBenlèu deman.

Òc is written with the grave accent, and it gave its name to Occitan, the language of òc.

In a full negative answer, pas comes after the verb, as in every Occitan negative sentence: Non, parli pas anglés. The short answer non is enough when the context is clear.

Benlèu can stand alone, or it can start a longer answer, such as Benlèu deman (maybe tomorrow). It does not change with the person, the gender or the number.

Do not answer with the French oui. The Occitan word is òc.

Examples (5)

  1. Òc, parli occitan.

    Yes, I speak Occitan.

    Òc is the word for yes.

  2. Non, parli pas anglés.

    No, I do not speak English.

    Pas follows the verb.

  3. Benlèu.

    Maybe.

    Benlèu works as a whole answer.

  4. Benlèu deman.

    Maybe tomorrow.

    Benlèu can start a longer answer.

  5. Aimes lo cafè? Òc!

    Do you like coffee? Yes!

    Òc answers the question.

Common Mistakes

  • Answering yes with the French word.

    Oui, parli occitan.
    Òc, parli occitan.

    Occitan answers yes with òc.

How It Connects

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

òc, non, benlèuLevel 1Yes, No and Maybe

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Words in This Pattern

òcnonbenlèu