Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nee | /neː/ | |
| neen | /neːn/ | formal |
The word nee is used as a particle to show disagreement or to express negation. It can also function as a noun to mean "a negating expression".
Which one should you use?
While nee is used to answer a question or express disagreement, the word geen is used to negate the existence of a noun (for example, "I have no bread").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
nee is the standard form, while neen is a slightly more polite, formal or emphatic variation. To soften a refusal, you can use the variation Nee, dank je or Nee, bedankt, which translates to "no, thank you".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/neː/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use nee when they should use geen to negate a noun. For example, do not say Ik heb nee water instead of Ik heb geen water.
When do people say it?
When declining something, you can use het spijt me (I'm sorry) to express regret for the refusal.
Did you know?
- The word nee can be used as a filler word in casual speech to check if the listener is following, similar to how English speakers use 'right?' or 'yeah?'
- Dutch has a specific phrase nee toch which is used not to disagree, but to express disbelief or surprise, similar to saying 'you can't be serious'.
- The word nee is actually a contraction of 'not one'. It comes from a combination of the ancient negation 'ne' and the word for 'one'.
Examples in context
- Nee, ik ben moe.No, I'm tired.This sentence shows how to use nee to answer a question.Tatoeba #451196 by Citrine, translation #66779 by mamat
- Was dat een neen?Was that a no?This sentence uses nee as a noun meaning "a no".Tatoeba #5043084 by PaulP, translation #2649182 by CK
- Mijn papa zei nee.My dad said no.This sentence uses nee as a noun to describe what someone said.Tatoeba #997413 by martinod, translation #6177598 by sundown
- Ik kan dat niet doen, maar misschien kan ik je helpen op een ander momentI can't do that, but maybe I can help you another time
- Kun je me helpen met dit project?Can you help me with this project?
- Ik ben bang, maar het spijt me, ik moet weigeren.I'm afraid, but I'm sorry, I have to decline.
- Wil je vanavond naar de film gaan?Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
- Neen, dank je. Ik heb al andere plannen.No, thank you. I already have other plans.
- 303 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lisa and Noah are deciding whether to go for a walk.
- LisaZullen we nu gaan wandelen, Noah?Shall we go for a walk now, Noah?
- NoahNee, ik moet eerst mijn werk afmaken.No, I have to finish my work first.
- LisaDuurt dat nog heel lang?Will that take much longer?
- NoahNee, over tien minuten ben ik klaar.No, I will be finished in ten minutes.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries nee, neen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nee, neen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
