A written accent helps distinguish two short words with different functions.
The idea
Write si without an accent for if: si llueve, salimos mañana. Write sí with an accent for yes: sí, tengo tiempo.
Examples
- Si llueve, nos quedamos en casa.If it rains, we stay home.
- Sí, tengo tiempo.Yes, I have time.
- No sé si viene hoy.I do not know whether they are coming today.
- Si necesitas ayuda, llama.If you need help, call.
- Ella guarda el secreto para sí.She keeps the secret to herself.
- Sí, podemos esperar.Yes, we can wait.
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Watch out
Sí can also be a stressed reflexive pronoun after a preposition, as in para sí; its context identifies that different use.
Try it yourself
Choose the word introducing a condition. ___ llueve, nos quedamos en casa. (Si / Sí)
Show answer or example answer
Si
Si introduces a condition and has no accent.
Choose the affirmative answer. ___, tengo tiempo. (Sí / Si)
Show answer or example answer
Sí
Sí affirms the answer and has an accent.
Choose the word introducing an indirect question. No sé ___ viene hoy. (si / sí)
Show answer or example answer
si
Si introduces an indirect question without an accent.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the word introducing a condition. ___ llueve, nos quedamos en casa. (Si / Sí)
Choose the affirmative answer. ___, tengo tiempo. (Sí / Si)
Choose the word introducing an indirect question. No sé ___ viene hoy. (si / sí)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Ask whether someone has time, answer yes, and add a condition about the weather.