Nee, dank je
/neː dɑŋk jə/word by word
To say no, thank you in Dutch, say Nee, dank je.
Nee, dank je is the everyday way to decline an offer politely, for example when someone offers you more food or a drink.
What does it mean word for word?
Nee means no and dank je means thank you, literally thank you with the informal word for you.
Which one should you use?
je in dank je is the informal you. With strangers, older people or in formal settings Dutch speakers use the polite word for you instead.
How do you pronounce it?
Nee, dank je is said /neː dɑŋk jə/. Nee has a long vowel, the j in je sounds like the y in yes and the e in je is a weak sound like the a in about.
Did you know?
- Dutch speakers often decline an offer by saying only dank je while shaking their head, omitting the word nee entirely.
- The word nee began as a contraction of ne ēn, which literally meant 'not one'.
- The word wel in Nee, dank u wel does not translate to 'well', but functions as a particle to make the expression of gratitude feel more complete.
Examples in context
- Nee, dank je, ik heb al koffie.No, thank you, I already have coffee.
- Nee, dank je, ik ben vol.No, thank you, I am full.
- Nee, dank je, ik wil geen hulp.No, thank you, I don't want any help.
Example conversation
Lucas offers Lisa a glass of water.
- LisaWil je een glas water, Lucas?Do you want a glass of water, Lucas?
- LucasNee, dank je, ik heb geen dorst.No, thank you, I am not thirsty.
- LisaWeet je het zeker?Are you sure?
- LucasJa, het is goed zo.Yes, it is fine as it is.
