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.
Learn when to use "Si" or "Oui" in French
Agreeing...
Est-ce que tu parles français ? - Oui, je parle français.Do you speak French? Yes, I speak French. Disagreeing...
Tu ne t'amuses pas ? - Si, je m'amuse.Aren't you having a good time? - Yes, I am.
Il n'est pas gentil. - Si, il est gentil.He's not nice. - Yes, he is.
Bref, ce n'est pas important... - Si, c'est important !Anyway, it's not important... - Yes, it is!
- Tu n'as pas de monnaie ? - Si.- Don't you have any change? - Yes I do.
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:
Est-ce que tu parles français ? - Non, je ne parle pas français.Do you speak French? No, I don't speak French.
Tu ne parles pas français ? - Non, je ne parle pas français.Don't you speak French? - No, I don't speak French.
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