ja/nee
Yes and No
Dutch uses three main words for answering: ja (yes), nee (no), and jawel (yes, on the contrary).
How It Works
In Dutch, answering a question depends on whether the question is phrased positively or negatively.
- Ja: Used to confirm a positive question.
Example: "Ga je mee?" (Are you coming?) -> "Ja." - Nee: Used to deny a positive question, or to agree with a negative one.
Example: "Heb je geen honger?" (Aren't you hungry?) -> "Nee" (meaning: No, I am not hungry). - Jawel: This is the 'contradictory yes.' It is mainly used when someone asks a negative question or makes a negative statement, and you want to say they are wrong.
Example: "Kom je niet?" (Aren't you coming?) -> "Jawel!" (Yes, I am!).
Using a simple ja to answer a negative question like "Heb je geen tijd?" (Don't you have time?) is often confusing for native speakers because it's unclear if you mean "Yes, I have no time" or "Yes, I actually do have time." Use jawel to clear up the confusion.
Examples (5)
- Drink je koffie? Ja, graag.
Do you drink coffee? Yes, please.
Word by Word: Drink you coffee? Yes, gladly.
A standard positive question answered with 'ja'.
- Ben je moe? Nee, ik ben fit.
Are you tired? No, I am fit.
Word by Word: Are you tired? No, I am fit.
A standard positive question answered with 'nee'.
- Heb je geen honger? Nee, ik heb net gegeten.
Aren't you hungry? No, I just ate.
Word by Word: Have you no hunger? No, I have just eaten.
Here, 'nee' confirms the negative state (I am not hungry).
- Heb je geen honger? Jawel, ik rammel!
Aren't you hungry? Yes (I am), I'm starving!
Word by Word: Have you no hunger? Yes-well, I rattle!
'Jawel' is used to contradict the negative question 'Heb je geen...?'
- Kom je niet naar het feest? Jawel, ik kom zeker!
Aren't you coming to the party? Yes I am, I'm definitely coming!
Word by Word: Come you not to the party? Yes-well, I come certainly!
Use 'jawel' to show that the negative assumption in the question is incorrect.
Common Mistakes
Using plain 'ja' to contradict a negative question.
Different MeaningHeb je geen dorst? Ja.Heb je geen dorst? Jawel.Plain 'ja' is also heard after 'Heb je geen dorst?', but it can be unclear. 'Jawel' clearly says 'Yes, I am thirsty after all.'
Confusing 'nee' with 'niet' or 'geen'.
Ik heb nee tijd.Ik heb geen tijd.'Nee' is only an answering particle. To negate a noun, use geen, and to negate a verb or adjective, use niet.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- nietNot (Negation)
Niet is used to negate verbs and adjectives, whereas nee is the standalone answer 'no'.
Level 1 - geenNo/Not Any (Negation)
Geen is used to negate nouns, often appearing in the negative questions that trigger a 'jawel' response.
Level 1 - Yes/No Questions
Understanding how to form yes/no questions is essential for knowing when to use these particles.
Level 1 - welIndeed/Actually/Do
Jawel is a compound of ja and wel; 'wel' is often used to add positive emphasis to a sentence.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ja/nee in Bubblegum
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