How to pronounce yes
Say it like YES. Yes is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce yes. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- YES
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Yes pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- YESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of yes
American and British speakers say yes in essentially the same way: /jɛs/ in the US and /jɛs/ in the UK.
British respelling: YES.
What does yes mean?
- an affirmative“I was hoping for a yes”
Where does yes come from?
From Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese (“by all means, of course, yes”), derived from the same root as yea.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with yes
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of yes.
Questions about saying yes
How do you pronounce yes?
Say YES. The American pronunciation is /jɛs/. In British English it is /jɛs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in yes?
Yes is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: YES.
Do Americans and Brits say yes the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /jɛs/ and the British form is /jɛs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.