Jawel, toch wel, welnee: Answering Negative Questions

Answering a negative question (one with niet or geen) needs care in Dutch.

• To contradict it, so the answer is really 'yes', say jawel or toch wel, not plain ja: Heb je geen honger? Jawel, ik heb wel honger. (Aren't you hungry? Yes, I am.)
• To agree with it, so the answer is 'no', say nee: Kom je niet mee? Nee, ik moet werken. (Aren't you coming? No, I have to work.)
• Welnee is a strong, reassuring 'of course not', often after toch niet: Je bent toch niet boos? Welnee! (You're not angry, are you? Of course not!)

With an ordinary positive question, just use ja or nee. Tip: read the rest of the answer. If it says the thing is true (often with wel), you need jawel.