You use yes to give a positive response to a question.
'Are you a friend of Nick's?'—'Yes.'
“你是尼克的朋友吗?” “是的。”
'You actually wrote it down, didn't you?'—'Yes.'
“你实际上把它写下来了,不是吗?” “是的。”
You use yes to accept an offer or request, or to give permission.
'More wine?'—'Yes please.'
“再要点儿葡萄酒?” “好的。”
'Will you take me there?'—'Yes, I will.'
“你带我去那儿吗?” “好的,我会的。”
You use yes to tell someone that what they have said is correct.
'Well, I suppose it is based on the old lunar months, isn't it?'—'Yes, that's right.'
“嗯,我想它是基于旧的阴历月份的,不是吗?” “对,是那样的。”
You use yes to show that you are ready or willing to speak to the person who wants to speak to you, for example when you are answering a telephone or a knock at your door.
He pushed a button on the intercom. 'Yes?' came a voice.
他按了对讲机的一个按钮。“什么事?”传来一个声音。
You use yes to indicate that you agree with, accept, or understand what the previous speaker has said.
'A lot of people find it very difficult indeed to give up smoking.'—'Oh yes. I used to smoke three packets a day.'
“许多人发现戒烟确实很难。” “噢,是的。我过去1天抽3包。”
You use yes to encourage someone to continue speaking.
'I remembered something funny today.'—'Yes?'
“我今天想起件有趣的事。” “是吗?”
You use yes, usually followed by 'but', as a polite way of introducing what you want to say when you disagree with something the previous speaker has just said.
'She is entitled to her personal allowance which is three thousand dollars of income.'—'Yes, but she doesn't earn any money.'
“她享有的个人所得免税额为3000美元。” “不错,不过她根本不挣钱。”
You use yes to say that a negative statement or question that the previous speaker has made is wrong or untrue.
'That is not possible,' she said.—'Oh, yes, it is!' Mrs Gruen insisted.
“那是不可能的,”她说。—“哦,不,那是可能的!”格伦太太坚持道。
You can use yes to suggest that you do not believe or agree with what the previous speaker has said, especially when you want to express your annoyance about it.
'There was no way to stop it.'—'Oh yeah? Well, here's something else you won't be able to stop.'
“没法阻止它。” “哦,是吗?那么,这儿还有别的你无法阻止的事。”
You use yes to indicate that you had forgotten something and have just remembered it.
What was I going to say. Oh yeah, we've finally got our second computer.
我想说什么来着?噢,对了,我们终于有了第二台电脑。
You use yes to emphasize and confirm a statement that you are making.
He collected the $10,000 first prize. Yes, $10,000.
他获得了奖金为1万美元的一等奖。没错,1万美元。
You say yes and no in reply to a question when you cannot give a definite answer, because in some ways the answer is yes and in other ways the answer is no.
'Was it strange for you, going back after such a long absence?'—'Yes and no.'
“那么长时间不在,然后又回来,你会觉得陌生吗?”“不好说。”