In German, there are 3 ways to answer questions that have no question word: Ja, Nein, Doch. Confusion among these 3 responses is common for German learners. So how do we tell them apart? Let's find out in the article below!!
In German, there are 3 ways to answer questions that do not contain a question word: Ja, Nein, Doch. Confusion among these 3 responses is common for German learners. So how do we tell them apart? Let's find out in the article below!!
1. Ja, Nein answer affirmative questions
An affirmative question is a question that does not contain negative words such as kein- or nicht. For example:
Hast du ein Auto? – Ja, ich habe ein Auto. (Do you have a car? - Yes, I have a car.)
→ Ja expresses agreement with the question
Hast du ein Auto? – Nein, ich habe kein Auto. (Do you have a car? - No, I don't have a car.)
Musst du arbeiten? – Nein, ich muss nicht arbeiten. (Do you have to work? - No, I don't have to work.)
→ Nein expresses disagreement with the question
2. Nein, Doch answer negative questions
A negative question is a question that contains negative words such as kein- or nicht. For example:
Kommst du morgen nicht? - Nein, ich komme nicht. (Aren't you coming tomorrow? - No, I'm not coming.)
→ Nein expresses agreement with the question.
Kommst du morgen nicht? - Doch, ich komme. (Aren't you coming tomorrow? - Yes I am, I'm coming.)
→ Doch expresses disagreement with the question.
!!! In addition, Doch is also used as an adverb to express disagreement with a declarative statement that contains a negative element (kein-, nicht). For example:
Deine Geschichte ist nicht wahr! - Doch! (Meine Geschichte ist wahr!)
(Your story is not true! - Yes it is! (My story is true!))
Knowledge test
The difference between Ja, Nein and Doch
- 1.
Haben Sie eine Schwester? - ........, ich habe keine Schwester.
- 2.
Gibt es im Wald keinen See? - ......., es gibt im Wald einen See.
- 3.
Besuchen Sie Museen? -............., ich besuche ab und zu am Freitag Museen.
- 4.
Brauchst du dieses Buch? - ............, ich brauche es.