nei
The Old Norse word for 'no' is nei.
nei is a particle used to express disagreement or to indicate negation.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Did you know?
- The word nei is a linguistic 'cousin' to the English 'nay' used in formal parliamentary voting, despite the two languages being separated by centuries.
- Old Norse used double negatives to strengthen a denial, which would be grammatically incorrect in standard modern English.
- The word nei belongs to a family of negatives that includes the Latin non and the Sanskrit na, linking Viking Age speech to ancient India.
Examples in context
- Nei, þat er eigi rétt.No, that is not correct.
- Nei, ek vil eigi fara.No, I do not want to go.
Example conversation
Ivar asks Helga if she is tired.
- IvarErtu móð, Helga?Are you tired, Helga?
- HelgaNei, ek em vakandi.No, I am awake.
- IvarViltu sofa nú?Do you want to sleep now?
- HelgaNei, ek vil vinna.No, I want to work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries nei, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
