Simplified Chinese - Lesson 22 of 156: Simple Yes-No Responses

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

可以

Kěyǐ.

Yes, I can.

Meaning: Yes, I can.

When to use: Use 可以 (Kěyǐ) as a short answer when something is allowed or possible (permission, possibility, or willingness).

Tip: Don't confuse 可以 with 会 — 会 often refers to learned skills, while 可以 talks about permission or possibility.

现在可以进来吗？

Xiànzài kěyǐ jìnlái ma?

Can I come in now?

这件衣服可以退吗？

Zhè jiàn yīfú kěyǐ tuì ma?

Can this shirt be returned?

不行

Bù xíng.

No, I can't.

Meaning: No, I can't.

When to use: Use 不行 (Bù xíng) to say something is not possible or allowed in spoken answers.

Tip: Learners sometimes say 不可以 — that's also okay, but 不行 is very natural for 'not possible' in spoken replies.

抱歉，不能改签，今天不行。

Bàoqiàn, bùnéng gǎiqiān, jīntiān bù xíng.

Sorry, you can't change it — not possible today.

这个功能在手机上不行。

Zhège gōngnéng zài shǒujī shàng bù xíng.

This feature doesn't work on the phone.

是的

Shì de.

Yes, it is.

Meaning: Yes, it is.

When to use: Use 是的 (Shì de) to affirm a fact or situation — a general 'yes' to questions with 是.

这是你的包吗？是的。

Zhè shì nǐ de bāo ma? Shì de.

Is this your bag? Yes, it is.

电影票还在吗？是的，我有两张。

Diànyǐng piào hái zài ma? Shì de, wǒ yǒu liǎng zhāng.

Are there still movie tickets? Yes, I have two.

不是

Bú shì.

No, it isn't.

Meaning: No, it isn't.

When to use: Use 不是 (Bú shì) to give a short negative answer to questions that use 是.

这是新款吗？不是。

Zhè shì xīnkuǎn ma? Bú shì.

Is this a new model? No, it's not.

他是司机吗？不是，他是导游。

Tā shì sījī ma? Bú shì, tā shì dǎoyóu.

Is he the driver? No, he's a guide.

有

Yǒu.

Yes, there is.

Meaning: Yes, there is.

When to use: Use 有 (Yǒu) for short affirmative answers to existence questions (有没有…?).

出租车还有吗？有。

Chūzūchē hái yǒu ma? Yǒu.

Are there taxis left? Yes, there are.

包里有钥匙吗？有，在最下面。

Bāo lǐ yǒu yàoshi ma? Yǒu, zài zuì xiàmiàn.

Is there a key in the bag? Yes, at the bottom.

没有

Méiyǒu.

No, there isn't.

Meaning: No, there isn't.

When to use: Use 没有 (Méiyǒu) to say something does not exist or is not available in short answers.

这家店有咖啡吗？没有。

Zhè jiā diàn yǒu kāfēi ma? Méiyǒu.

Does this shop have coffee? No, it doesn't.

票已经卖完了吗？没有，还可以买。

Piào yǐjīng mài wán le ma? Méiyǒu, hái kěyǐ mǎi.

Are tickets sold out? No, you can still buy them.

嗯

Ǹg.

Yeah.

Meaning: Yeah.

When to use: Use 嗯 (Ǹg) as a casual, quick affirmative — like 'yeah' or 'uh-huh' in conversation.

Tip: Because it's casual, learners sometimes overuse 嗯 in formal situations — use it with friends or informal settings.

A：我们走吧。B：嗯。

A: Wǒmen zǒu ba. B: Ǹg.

A: Let's go. B: Yeah.

你明天来吗？嗯，我会来的。

Nǐ míngtiān lái ma? Ǹg, wǒ huì lái de.

Are you coming tomorrow? Yeah, I'll come.

Simplified Chinese - Simple Yes-No Responses

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

If someone asks '现在可以进来吗？' and you want to say 'Yes, you may', which short reply fits best?

Which reply answers the question '桌子上有水吗？' if there is water on the table?

If someone asks '你是老师吗？' and the answer is 'No,' which short reply is most natural?

In a casual chat, how would you respond to '我们出发吧' (Let's go) with a relaxed 'yeah'?

Yes, there is; it's next to the sink.

No, you can't; you didn't bring the receipt.

Yes, there are rooms; you can book now.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice