ja
/ja/
The English word 'yes' is ja in Danish.
ja is a particle used to indicate agreement or acceptance. It can also function as a noun meaning an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Which one should you use?
While ja is the standard way to say yes, jo is used specifically to contradict a negative question or statement (e.g., 'Aren't you coming?' 'Yes, I am'). selvfølgelig translates to "of course" in English and is used to emphasize enthusiastic agreement.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ja/
Did you know?
- Danish speakers may use the phrase ja, ja to signal that they have heard enough and want to end the conversation, which can come across as dismissive or impatient.
- Danes may use ja as a question ja? at the end of a sentence to seek confirmation, functioning like the English tag 'right?'
- In casual Danish conversation, people often use ja as a filler word similar to 'uh-huh' or 'yeah' even when they are not actually agreeing with the speaker.
Examples in context
- Ja, hun er vred.Yes, she is angry.Tatoeba #2195413 by danepo, translation #1901620 by Spamster
- Ja, jeg ved det.Yes, I know.Tatoeba #4440992 by danepo, translation #35504 by Scott
- Ja, æblet er rødt.Yes, the apple is red.Tatoeba #3568317 by danepo, translation #2714025 by shekitten
- Person A: Vil du gerne have noget mere kaffe?
Person B: Ja, tak. Det vil jeg gerne.Person A: Would you like some more coffee?
Person B: Yes, please. I would like that. - Person A: Du kan ikke lide kaffe, ikke sandt?
Person B: Jo, det kan jeg godt lide.Person A: You don't like coffee, do you?
Person B: Yes, I do like it. - Person A: Skal vi tage til stranden i morgen?
Person B: Jeps, det lyder som en god idé!Person A: Should we go to the beach tomorrow?
Person B: Yep, sounds like a great idea! - Person A: Kan jeg låne din cykel?
Person B: Selvfølgelig, du kan tage den når som helst!Person A: Can I borrow your bike?
Person B: Of course, you can take it anytime! - 69 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mads and Freja are deciding whether to go for a walk.
- MadsVil du gå en tur med mig?Do you want to go for a walk with me?
- FrejaJa, det vil jeg gerne.Yes, I would like that.
- MadsEr det fint vejr til det?Is the weather nice enough for it?
- FrejaJa, det er det.Yes, it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries ja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
