ναί G3483
Yes; indeed; an affirmative particle expressing strong agreement, assent, or solemn confirmation
A simple but weighty word of affirmation. In the Gospels, Jesus uses it to confirm truth with striking directness: 'Let your yes be yes' (Matt 5:37). It appears in heartfelt responses to Jesus' questions, as when the blind men affirm their faith (Matt 9:28), and in moments of divine approval, as in the Father's good pleasure (Matt 11:26). Spanish 'Sí' and German 'Ja' mirror its force. Paul even calls Christ the ultimate 'Yes' of God's promises (2 Cor 1:20), elevating a common particle into a theological statement about divine faithfulness.
Senses
1. yes — An emphatic affirmative response or solemn confirmation — 'yes, indeed, certainly.' Used both in direct replies to questions (Matt 9:28; 13:51) and as a rhetorical intensifier affirming prophetic truth (Matt 11:9). The multilingual glosses uniformly render it as a simple affirmative (French 'oui,' Spanish 'sí'), reflecting its straightforward semantic core, yet in context it often carries the weight of an oath or covenant commitment. 34×
AR["نَعَم", "نَعَمْ"]·ben["হ্যাঁ", "হ্যাঁ,", "হ্যাঁ।"]·DE["Ja", "ja"]·EN["Yes", "yes"]·FR["oui"]·heb["כֵּן"]·HI["आ-रहा-हूँ", "के-कारण", "हअन", "हाँ", "हां"]·ID["Ya", "Ya,", "Ya.", "ya,"]·IT["si", "sì"]·jav["Inggih", "Inggih,", "Inggih.", "inggih", "〈Inggih〉,"]·KO["그렇다", "그렇습니다", "예", "예,"]·PT["Sim", "Sim,"]·RU["Да", "Да,", "да"]·ES["Sí", "Sí,", "sí"]·SW["Naam,", "Ndiyo", "Ndiyo,", "Ndiyo.", "hamkusoma-kamwe"]·TR["Evet", "evet", "o-", "ve-"]·urd["ہاں", "ہاں٬"]
Matt 5:37, Matt 5:37, Matt 9:28, Matt 11:9, Matt 11:26, Matt 13:51, Matt 15:27, Matt 17:25, Matt 21:16, Mark 7:28, Luke 7:26, Luke 10:21 (+22 more)
Related Senses
H3808 1. simple negation (not) (4839×)G1722 1. locative: in, within (2442×)H1004b 1. house, dwelling, building (2015×)G3756 1. not (negation particle) (1635×)H4480a 1. source or separation (1198×)H5892b 1. city, town (1093×)G1519 1. direction: into, to, toward (1061×)H3427 1. Qal: to dwell, inhabit (937×)G1537 1. from, out of (source/origin) (886×)H8034 1. Name (designation / identifier) (856×)G3361 1. subjective negation (not) (834×)G1909 1. on, upon (spatial surface) (757×)H0369 1. existential negation: there is not (738×)H5869a 1. in the eyes/sight of (evaluative) (734×)H5650 1. Servant, attendant, subject (723×)H0408 1. prohibitive negation do-not (712×)G2443 1. so that, in order that (purpose/result) (665×)G0575 1. from (649×)G1223 1. through, by means of (582×)H3541 1. thus, so, in this manner (569×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ναί, adverb, used to express strong affirmation, yea, verily, in Refs 8th c.BC+ yea thee, Refs 5th c.BC+ __2 frequently in oaths, ν. μά yea by.., see at {μ; ν}. alone, ν. τὰν Κόραν Refs 5th c.BC+; ν. πρὸς θεῶν ἀρήξατ᾽ Refs 5th c.BC+ __II in answers, yes, τοῦτ᾽ ἐτήτυμο; Answ. ν. NT+5th c.BC+ __II.2 ν. followed by ἀλλά, etc., to mark a qualified assent, yes, but.., Refs 4th c.BC+; ν., κατὰ σχολήν γε ἴσως· οὐ μήν.. Refs 5th c.BC+