German Phrase
Ja, stimmt.
Meaning
Literally “Yes, it’s correct.” It is a brief, informal way to confirm that something said by the other person is true or accurate.
When to use
Use it in everyday conversation when you want to agree with a statement, correct a minor mistake, or acknowledge information. It’s common among friends, classmates, and colleagues, but less appropriate in very formal settings where a full sentence like “Ja, das stimmt” would be preferred.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ja,stimmt.
Ja
A simple affirmative particle meaning “yes”. It can stand alone or precede a statement for emphasis.
stimmt (verb stimmen)
Third‑person singular present of stimmen ‘to be correct/true’. In short answers it works like the English “right” or “correct”.
Ellipsis
The full clause “Ja, das stimmt” is often shortened to “Ja, stimmt” in casual speech.
🗨In Conversation
Der Zug fährt um 8 Uhr ab.
The train leaves at 8 a.m.
Ja, stimmt.
Yes, that’s right.
✕Common Mistakes
Ja, stimmt?
Adding a question mark turns the phrase into a question, which changes the meaning to “Yes, is that right?”
Ja stimmt
Missing the comma is acceptable in casual writing, but in spoken German a short pause is natural; the comma signals that pause.
Ja, stimmt das
Word order is wrong; the correct full sentence is “Ja, das stimmt.”
↔Alternatives
Ja, genau.
Yes, exactly.
Genau.
Exactly.
Richtig.
Correct.
Ja, das stimmt.
Yes, that’s true.
Cultural Tip
In German, short affirmations like “Ja, stimmt” are typical in informal spoken language. They convey agreement without sounding overly formal. In the north of Germany you’ll hear the clipped “Ja, stimmt” more often, while in the south speakers may add a little extra, e.g., “Ja, stimmt ja”. When speaking with strangers or in a business context, it’s safer to use the full form “Ja, das stimmt”.