How to Answer Questions in Norwegian: Ja, Jo or Nei

In this article we will discuss how to answer Yes/No questions with our without a negation in Norwegian.

Yes/No Questions without a negation

If someone asks a Yes/No question without a negation, we answer “Ja” to give a positive answer and “Nei” to give a negative response.

For example:

Liker du pizza? (Do you like pizza?)
Ja, jeg liker pizza. (Yes, I like pizza.)
Nei, jeg liker ikke pizza. (No, I do not like pizza.)

Har du førerkort? (Do you have a driving license?)
Ja, jeg har førerkort. (Yes, I have driving license.)
Nei, jeg har ikke førerkort. (No, I do not have a driving license.)

Yes/No Questions with a negation

If someone is asking a Yes/No question with negation, you should use “Jo” and not “Ja” in the answer if you want a positive response.

By answering “Jo,” we say that the “negation” is incorrect, and that is how we provide a positive answer. When we confirm the “negation,” we answer “nei.”

For example:

Liker du ikke pizza? (Don’t you like pizza?)
Jo, jeg liker pizza. (Yes, I like pizza.)
Nei, jeg liker ikke pizza. (No, I do not like pizza.)

Har du ikke førerkort? (Don’t you have a driving license?)
Jo, jeg har førerkort. (Yes, I have driving license.)
Nei, jeg har ikke førerkort. (No, I do not have a driving license.