да или нет
da ili net
The Russian phrase for "yes or no" is да или нет (da ili net).
да или нет is used to ask for a clear, definitive answer to a question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of да (yes), или (or) and нет (no).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is indeclinable, meaning it does not change based on gender, number or case.
How do you pronounce it?
da ili net
Did you know?
- While да means 'yes', it can also function as a conjunction meaning 'so that' or 'let it be', which can change the entire meaning of a sentence.
- The word нет is historically a combination of the words for 'not' and 'is there', literally meaning 'it is not there'.
- Depending on the intonation, a long да… can function as a filler word similar to 'well' or 'uh', rather than a confirmation of 'yes'.
Examples in context
- И это да или нет?So is it yes or no?This sentence is useful for seeing how to ask if the answer is да или нет.Tatoeba #10579619 by Ooneykcall, translation #10579620 by Ooneykcall
- Ты сказал да или нет?Did you say yes or no?This sentence is useful for asking if someone actually said да или нет.Tatoeba #10229352 by marafon, translation #5205855 by CK
- Это значит да или нет?Does that mean yes or no?This sentence is useful for asking what a specific thing means in terms of да или нет.Tatoeba #14009549 by marafon, translation #8896185 by dzouras
- Да, пожалуйста.Yes, please.
- Да, спасибо.Yes, thanks.
- Нет, не ходил/ходила.No, I didn't go.
- К сожалению, у меня нет.Unfortunately, I don't have one.
- Извини, у меня нет.Sorry, I don't have one.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria is asking Sergey for a final decision about a project.
- Мария MariaСергей, ты согласен на это предложение?Sergey, ty soglasen na eto predlozheniye?Sergey, do you agree to this proposal?
- Сергей SergeyМне нужно еще немного времени.Mne nuzhno yeshche nemnogo vremeni.I need a little more time.
- Мария MariaМне нужно знать сейчас: да или нет?Mne nuzhno znat' seychas: da ili net?I need to know now: yes or no?
- Сергей SergeyХорошо, да.Khorosho, da.Okay, yes.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries да, или, нет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
