ja/nej

Yes/no

Level 1

Ja = Yes
Nej = No

How It Works

In Swedish, just like in English, 'ja' (yes) and 'nej' (no) are the fundamental words for answering simple questions that can be answered with a yes or no.

Answering a positive question:
If someone asks a straightforward question, you use 'ja' or 'nej' to respond.
Question: 'Är du trött?' (Are you tired?)

  • Ja, jag är trött. (Yes, I am tired.)
  • Nej, jag är inte trött. (No, I am not tired.)

Important Note on Negative Questions:
Swedish has a special word, 'jo', to say 'yes' in response to a negative question. For example, 'Är du inte trött?' (Aren't you tired?). If you ARE tired, you would say 'Jo, det är jag.' (Yes, I am.). For this intended contradiction, jo is the clear standard answer. If you are not tired, Nej, det är jag inte confirms the negative proposition.

Answers And Follow-Ups
Ja and nej may stand alone. If you add an explanation, it need not have the same grammatical polarity: Bor du i Stockholm? – Nej, jag bor i Göteborg. The positive follow-up gives the alternative.

Jo also has conversational uses beyond contradicting a negative question. In some regional varieties it can answer an ordinary positive question affirmatively, and it can introduce a qualified agreement. Learn ja/nej for simple positive questions and jo for a clear contradiction of a negative one without treating that beginner pattern as an exhaustive account of conversation.

Examples (4)

  1. Talar du svenska? – Ja.

    Do you speak Swedish? – Yes.

    Word by Word: Speak you Swedish? – Yes.

  2. Är det kallt ute? – Nej.

    Is it cold outside? – No.

    Word by Word: Is it cold outside? – No.

  3. Vill du ha kaffe? – Ja, tack.

    Do you want coffee? – Yes, please.

    Word by Word: Want you have coffee? – Yes, thanks.

  4. Bor du i Stockholm? – Nej, jag bor i Göteborg.

    Do you live in Stockholm? – No, I live in Gothenburg.

    Word by Word: Live you in Stockholm? – No, I live in Gothenburg.

Common Mistakes

  • Answering unclearly when you mean to contradict a negative question.

    Är du inte hungrig? – Ja.
    Är du inte hungrig? – Jo.

    For the intended meaning Yes, I am hungry after Är du inte hungrig?, use Jo, jag är hungrig. Nej, jag är inte hungrig confirms that you are not hungry. This is the ordinary direct-answer model; the words also have wider conversational uses.

How It Connects

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ja/nejLevel 1Yes/no

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Words in This Pattern

janej