Translation
yeah, yep (informal)
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Word origin
A colloquial variant of oui ('yes'), with a relaxed vowel; oui itself derives from Old French oïl, from Latin hoc ille ('that is it').
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- hoc ille
Examples
, .
Yeah, I think it's a good idea for the weekend.
? , .
Are you coming tonight? Yeah, I'm free.
, , .
Yeah yeah, I understand what you mean, that's clear.
, .
Yeah, I'll come to your party Saturday night.
, !
Yeah, that film was really brilliant!
est la forme familière de oui, très courante à l'oral entre jeunes et dans des contextes informels. En registre soutenu ou professionnel, on préférera oui ou bien sûr. L'usage de ouais avec une personne qu'on vouvoie serait perçu comme impoli ou irrespectueux.
À l'écrit, ouais apparaît dans les SMS, les réseaux sociaux et les dialogues littéraires voulant reproduire le parler familier. Doublé (ouais ouais), il peut marquer une approbation légèrement distraite ou peu enthousiaste selon le contexte intonatif.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(1)Grammar articles
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French · Free printables
ouais: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "ouais" (yeah, yep (informal)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 4, lesson 5: ouais, fille, père and 7 more words.