da / ne
Yes and No
Da is yes, ne is no, and a short answer can repeat the verb.
How It Works
Da li imaš kafu? You can answer with one word: Da. or Ne. A fuller answer repeats the verb from the question: Da, imam. or Ne, nemam.
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Da li znaš? | Da, znam. | Ne, ne znam. |
| Da li imaš? | Da, imam. | Ne, nemam. |
| Jesi li tu? | Jesam. | Nisam. |
The same word da also joins two parts of a sentence (Želim da pijem), where it means "that" or "to". Context tells you which one you hear.
In speech people often use ne twice, once as the answer and once with the verb: Ne, ne znam. That is normal and polite.
Examples (4)
- Da li voliš ćevape? Da, volim.
Do you like ćevapi? Yes, I do.
The answer repeats the verb volim.
- Da li pijete kafu? Ne, ne pijem.
Do you drink coffee? No, I do not.
The first ne is the answer, the second is part of the verb.
- Da li imaš sestru? Ne, nemam.
Do you have a sister? No, I do not.
Ne imam becomes nemam.
- Da, tu sam.
Yes, I am here.
Da can start a short full answer.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes keep ne and imam apart.
Ne, ne imam.Ne, nemam.Nemam is the usual form. Ne imam is rare and sounds stressed or odd.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice da / ne in Bubblegum
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