heller ikke

Neither / Not Either (Heller Ikke)

Level 3

Heller ikke is the negative version of også (also). It is used to express that a negative fact applies to someone or something else as well.

How It Works

1. The 'Also Not' Rule
In English, we can say 'I also don't like it' or 'I don't like it either.' In Danish, you must use heller ikke. Using 'også ikke' is a common mistake for learners.

2. Word Order in Main Clauses
Because heller ikke contains the adverb ikke, it follows the V2 rule. In a standard main clause, it comes after the finite verb. However, if the object is a short unstressed pronoun (like det, den, mig, dig), it must jump before 'heller ikke': Jeg ved det heller ikke.

3. Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
In a subordinate clause, adverbs like heller ikke move to a position before the verb: ...fordi han heller ikke kommer.

4. Short Answers ('Neither do I')
There are two ways to say 'Me neither' or 'Neither do I':
• The Pro-verb Structure: Det [verb] jeg heller ikke. For example: Det gør jeg heller ikke (Neither do I) or Det kan jeg heller ikke (Neither can I).
• The Short Form: Heller ikke + [Object Pronoun]. For example: Heller ikke mig (Me neither).

Examples (6)

  1. Jeg har heller ikke set filmen.

    I haven't seen the movie either.

    Word by Word: I have neither not seen the-movie.

    Here, 'heller ikke' adds a new person (the speaker) to the negative state of not having seen the movie.

  2. Hvis du ikke kommer, kommer jeg heller ikke.

    If you aren't coming, I'm not coming either.

    Word by Word: If you not come, come I neither not.

    Notice the V2 word order in the second clause: the verb 'kommer' is in second position, followed by the subject and then 'heller ikke'.

  3. A: Jeg kan ikke svømme. B: Det kan jeg heller ikke.

    A: I can't swim. B: Neither can I.

    Word by Word: A: I can not swim. B: That can I neither not.

    This is the most common way to say 'Neither can I'. It uses the structure: Det + [Auxiliary Verb] + [Subject] + heller ikke.

  4. A: Jeg spiser ikke kød. B: Heller ikke mig.

    A: I don't eat meat. B: Me neither.

    Word by Word: A: I eat not meat. B: Neither not me.

    This is a shorter, more informal way to give a negative 'me too' response using an object pronoun.

  5. Jeg ved det heller ikke.

    I don't know it either.

    Word by Word: I know it neither not.

    Notice that the short pronoun 'det' comes before 'heller ikke'. This is a common pattern called light pronoun shift.

  6. Jeg er glad for, at du heller ikke er syg.

    I am glad that you aren't sick either.

    Word by Word: I am glad for, that you neither not are sick.

    In this subordinate clause (starting with 'at'), 'heller ikke' comes before the verb 'er'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'også ikke' to mean 'also not'.

    Jeg kommer også ikke.
    Jeg kommer heller ikke.

    Danish never uses 'også' (also) in a negative sentence. You must switch to 'heller ikke'.

  • Confusing 'heller' with 'hellere'.

    Different MeaningJeg vil heller ikke have kaffe.
    Jeg vil hellere have kaffe.

    'Hellere' means 'rather' (preference), while 'heller ikke' means 'neither'. If you want to say 'I would rather have coffee', use 'hellere'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

heller ikkeLevel 3Neither / Not Either (Heller Ikke)

Learn This First

To understand 'heller ikke', you first need to be comfortable with basic negation using 'ikke'. It is also helpful to understand 'også' (also), as 'heller ikke' serves as the negative version of that concept. Finally, knowing where to place 'ikke' in a sentence will help you correctly position 'heller ikke'.

Words in This Pattern

hellerikke