Learn How To Say Yes in Norwegian

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In Norwegian, there are two words that mean Yes. One is Ja and the other is Jo. What’s the difference between the two and when should you use one or the other? The rule is as below:

When we are answering a question which has an ikke or ingen in it we should always use Jo else we should always use Ja.

The following examples should help you understand the difference.

Question Answer
Kommer han i morgen?

Is he coming tomorrow?

Ja, han kommer i morgen.

Yes, he is coming tomorrow.

Kommer han ikke i morgen?

Is he not coming tomorrow?

Jo, han kommer i morgen.

Yes, he is coming tomorrow.

Skal vi ha fisk til middag?

Shall we have fish for dinner?

Ja, vi skal ha fisk til middag.

Yes, we shall have fish for dinner.

Skal vi ikke ha fisk til middag?

Shall we not have fish for dinner?

Jo, vi skal ha fisk til middag.

Yes, we shall have fish for dinner.

Har du sett henne i dag?

Have you seen her today?

Ja, jeg har sett henne i dag.

Yes, I have seen her today.

Har du ikke sett henne i dag?

Have you not seen her today?

Jo, jeg har sett henne i dag.

Yes, I have seen her today.

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7 thoughts on “Learn How To Say Yes in Norwegian”

  1. this is one of those issues we Norwegian teachers ‘overdrill’ — no one has every gotten confused if one says ‘ja’ instead of ‘jo.’

    I think it is at least as important to use the ‘short form answers;”

    spiser du? ja, det gjør jeg
    spiser du ikke? Nei det gjør jeg ikke

    Vil du spise? Ja, det vil jeg
    Kan du norsk? Ja det kan jeg.

    Reply

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