Ja, jo or nej

Danish has two words for yes. Answer an ordinary question with ja (yes) or nej (no). If the question is negative – it contains ikke, aldrig or ingen – and your answer is yes, say jo instead of ja. Jo contradicts the negative, like German doch or French si.

• Taler du dansk? – Ja, lidt. (Do you speak Danish? – Yes, a little.)
• Taler du ikke dansk? – Jo, lidt. (Don't you speak Danish? – Yes, I do, a little.)
• Taler du ikke dansk? – Nej, desværre. (Don't you speak Danish? – No, unfortunately.)

Nej always means no, whatever the question looks like. Ja after a negative question sounds wrong to Danes, so listen for ikke before you answer.