Spanish - Simple Yes/No Responses

Lesson 22 of 159

A learner practicing short yes/no Spanish replies, highlighting phrases like 'Sí, puedo' and 'No, no hay'.

Goal: Short answers for ability, existence, and identity

Free Spanish lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome! In this short lesson you'll practice quick, natural yes/no replies in Spanish. Keep it friendly — these tiny responses are very useful in real conversations.

Level A1: Lesson 22 practices short yes/no replies like "Sí, puedo," "No, no hay," and simple "Sí." You'll hear the phrases, try them in a short dialogue, and do quick quizzes to lock them in. This CEFR-aligned micro-lesson focuses on answering questions about ability, existence, and identity.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Learn 7 common short yes/no responses in Spanish.
  • Recognize when to answer about ability, existence, or identity (A1 level).
  • Practice saying each phrase out loud and using them in a short mini-conversation.
Two friends ask and answer quick Spanish questions about ability and existence — good for A1 learners.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Sí, puedo.

Yes, I can.

Meaning: Yes, I can.

When to use: Use this short reply when someone asks if you can do something or if something is possible for you.

¿Puedes ayudarme con la maleta? — Sí, puedo.
Can you help me with the suitcase? — Yes, I can.
¿Vienes al trabajo mañana? — Sí, puedo.
Can you come to work tomorrow? — Yes, I can.

No, no puedo.

No, I can't.

Meaning: No, I can't.

When to use: Use this reply when you cannot do something or when something is not possible for you.

¿Puedes venir hoy? — No, no puedo.
Can you come today? — No, I can't.
¿Puedes ayudarme ahora? — No, no puedo.
Can you help me now? — No, I can't.

Sí, lo es.

Yes, it is.

Meaning: Yes, it is.

When to use: Use this when you agree that something (a place, fact, or description) is true.

Tip: Some learners say just "sí es"; "sí, lo es" is clearer when referring back to a statement.

¿Este libro es interesante? — Sí, lo es.
Is this book interesting? — Yes, it is.
¿La tienda está abierta? — Sí, lo es.
Is the store open? — Yes, it is.

No, no lo es.

No, it isn't.

Meaning: No, it isn't.

When to use: Use this to disagree with a statement about a thing, place, or situation.

¿Este plato es picante? — No, no lo es.
Is this dish spicy? — No, it isn't.
¿El parque está cerrado? — No, no lo es.
Is the park closed? — No, it isn't.

Sí, hay

Yes, there is.

Meaning: Yes, there is.

When to use: Use this short reply when answering a question about existence or presence (with 'hay').

¿Hay un cajero cerca? — Sí, hay.
Is there an ATM nearby? — Yes, there is.
¿Hay leche en la nevera? — Sí, hay.
Is there milk in the fridge? — Yes, there is.

No, no hay.

No, there isn't.

Meaning: No, there isn't.

When to use: Use this reply to say that something does not exist or is not present (with 'hay').

¿Hay boletos para el concierto? — No, no hay.
Are there tickets for the concert? — No, there aren't.
¿Hay agua fría? — No, no hay.
Is there cold water? — No, there isn't.

Sí

Yeah.

Meaning: Yeah.

When to use: Use this simple 'Sí.' to give a quick affirmative or to agree with someone casually.

Tip: Beginners sometimes overuse longer replies; a single "Sí." is often enough and natural.

¿Vienes conmigo? — Sí.
Are you coming with me? — Yeah.
¿Estás listo? — Sí.
Are you ready? — Yeah.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Quick exchange at a café

Anna and David use the lesson's short yes/no Spanish replies in a natural short conversation.

What kinds of short answers do Anna and David use?

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

¿Hay café aquí?

Is there coffee here?

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Sí, hay

Yes, there is.

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

¿Puedes traer dos tazas?

Can you bring two cups?

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

Sí, puedo.

Yes, I can.

Portrait of Anna in a Spanish lesson dialogue

Anna

¿Juan es el camarero?

Is Juan the waiter?

Portrait of David in a Spanish lesson dialogue

David

No, no lo es.

No, he isn't.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

How do you answer 'Can you help me?' with 'Yes, I can' in Spanish?

Which phrase means 'No, there isn't'?

How do you say 'Yes, it is' when confirming a fact?

If you want to give a short casual 'Yeah' in Spanish, which do you choose?

A: Is there a pharmacy on this street? B: Yes, there is.

A: Is there a pharmacy on this street? B: ___.

A: Can you lift this box? B: Yes, I can.

A: Can you lift this box? B: ___.

A: Is the door locked? B: No, it isn't.

A: Is the door locked? B: ___.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sí, puedo.

Yes, I can.

Say this phrase out loud:

No, no puedo.

No, I can't.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sí, lo es.

Yes, it is.

Say this phrase out loud:

No, no lo es.

No, it isn't.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sí, hay

Yes, there is.

Say this phrase out loud:

No, no hay.

No, there isn't.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sí

Yeah.