How to Say Yes and No in German: 15+ Essential Phrases

The Short Answer

The most common way to say yes in German is Ja (yah) and the most common way to say no is Nein (nine). These two words cover the basics, but native speakers rely on a much broader palette of affirmatives and negatives to express degrees of certainty, enthusiasm, politeness, and even contradiction.

German is spoken by over 130 million people across six countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium), and according to Ethnologue's 2024 data, it ranks among the top twelve most spoken languages globally. With that reach comes subtle but important variation in how speakers express agreement and disagreement, from the emphatic Jawohl of formal settings to the casual Klar among friends.

"The German particle system (words like doch, ja, schon, and halt) is one of the language's most distinctive features, encoding nuances of agreement, contradiction, and shared assumptions that other European languages express through entirely different mechanisms."

(A.E. Hammer, Hammer's German Grammar and Usage, Routledge, 2011)

What makes German particularly interesting is Doch, a word with no direct English equivalent that lets you contradict a negative statement with a single syllable. This guide covers 15+ ways to say yes and no in German, organized by meaning and register, so you always pick the right word.

Quick Reference: German Yes and No at a Glance

Ways to Say Yes in German

These are the essential affirmative expressions, ranging from the simple Ja to emphatic and context-specific alternatives. The Duden, Germany's authoritative dictionary, documents all of these as standard usage.

Ja

Ja is the foundation of affirmation in German. It is short, clear, and universally understood. What makes it versatile is how easily it combines with other words to shift its tone. Ja, gerne (yes, gladly) sounds enthusiastic. Ja, schon (yes, I suppose) signals reluctant agreement. A drawn-out Jaaaa... suggests hesitation or boredom.

In written German, Ja also functions as a modal particle embedded in sentences to express emphasis or shared knowledge: Das ist ja toll! (That IS great!). This usage has nothing to do with answering a question; it is one of those uniquely German particles that add emotional color to speech.

Jawohl

Jawohl combines ja (yes) with wohl (indeed/certainly) to create an emphatic affirmative. Its strongest association is with military and official language, where it functions as the standard "Yes, sir." According to the Duden, it has been in use since the 16th century.

In contemporary German, Jawohl has acquired a humorous, slightly ironic second life. Friends use it playfully to acknowledge instructions: Bring bitte Milch mit. Jawohl! (Please bring milk. Yes sir!). The humor comes from applying military-grade obedience to mundane requests.

Klar

Klar literally means "clear" but functions as a breezy, confident "sure" or "of course." It is one of the most frequently heard affirmatives in casual German conversation. The extended form Na klar! adds extra enthusiasm, the equivalent of "Well, obviously!" or "But of course!"

Among younger speakers, Klar is often the default response to requests and invitations. It conveys willingness without the formality of Natürlich or the weight of Selbstverständlich.

Natürlich

Natürlich sits in the comfortable middle ground between casual and formal. It is polite enough for professional settings and warm enough for friendly conversation. When someone asks permission for something reasonable, Natürlich is the perfect response, as it affirms while implying the request was entirely reasonable.

The Goethe-Institut's teaching materials recommend Natürlich as one of the first affirmative expressions learners should master beyond Ja, precisely because of its wide applicability.

Selbstverständlich

At six syllables, Selbstverständlich is a characteristically German compound word: selbst (self) + verständlich (understandable), literally "self-evidently." It is the affirmative you use when you want to convey that compliance is not just agreed to but entirely obvious.

Hotel receptionists, customer service agents, and professionals in formal settings use Selbstverständlich routinely. It is the verbal equivalent of a respectful nod.

Genau

If there is one word that defines conversational German, it might be Genau. Germans use it relentlessly to confirm, agree, and signal that they are following along. In conversations, you will hear Genau peppered throughout as a verbal nod, much like English speakers say "right" or "exactly."

Its overuse has become something of a running joke among German learners and linguists alike. But there is good reason for its popularity: it conveys precise, unambiguous agreement without sounding overly formal or casual.

Stimmt

Stimmt comes from the verb stimmen (to be correct, to be right). It is the go-to response when someone states a fact and you want to confirm it. In restaurants, Stimmt so (that's correct as is) is how you tell the waiter to keep the change.

The extended form Das stimmt adds a touch more weight and is common in discussions and debates when acknowledging a valid point made by the other person.

The Unique Power of Doch

This word deserves its own section because it has no direct equivalent in English. Understanding Doch is one of the keys to sounding natural in German.

Doch

Doch fills a gap that English simply does not have. In English, if someone says "You don't speak German," you have to reply with a full sentence: "Yes, I do!" In German, one word handles it: Doch!

The rule is straightforward: when someone makes a negative statement or asks a negative question, and you want to contradict it, you use Doch instead of Ja. Using Ja in this context would actually agree with the negative statement, the opposite of what you intend.

French speakers will recognize this concept immediately, since French has Si for the same purpose. But German Doch goes further. It also works as a modal particle in sentences to add emphasis, persuasion, or surprise: Komm doch mit! (Come along, won't you!) or Das ist doch Wahnsinn! (That IS madness!). As linguist A.E. Hammer notes, the particle system is one of German's most distinctive grammatical features.

Ways to Say No in German

German offers an equally rich vocabulary for disagreement, from polite declination to emphatic refusal.

Nein

Nein is the clear, unambiguous German no. One important cultural note: German communication culture tends toward directness. According to the Goethe-Institut's cross-cultural resources, a straightforward Nein is not considered impolite in German the way a blunt "No" might be in some English-speaking contexts. Germans value clarity over softening.

That said, pairing Nein with danke (thanks), as in Nein, danke, is the standard polite refusal for offers and invitations.

Auf keinen Fall

Auf keinen Fall is the German equivalent of "No way" or "Absolutely not." It shuts down a suggestion completely and unambiguously. Despite its strength, it remains within the bounds of polite language, and you can use it in professional settings without causing offense.

Niemals

Niemals is the emphatic form of nie (never). While nie is neutral, Niemals adds dramatic weight. It is used for strong personal convictions, firm refusals, and sometimes playful exaggeration among friends.

Nee

Nee is to Nein what "nah" is to "no" in English: softer, less confrontational, and more conversational. It is the default casual negative in much of Germany, particularly in northern and central regions. The Duden recognizes it as a standard colloquial variant.

In Berlin, you might also hear Nee, nee, nee, a tripled form used to express amused disbelief or exasperated refusal.

Gar nicht

Gar nicht intensifies a simple nicht (not) into a categorical "not at all." The word gar is an intensifier that only appears in negative constructions, and you will never hear gar used positively. It adds emphasis without adding drama, making it useful in calm, measured conversation.

Keineswegs

Keineswegs is the formal cousin of Auf keinen Fall. Where Auf keinen Fall can carry emotional weight, Keineswegs is cool, measured, and intellectual. It is especially common in written German, academic papers, and formal discussions. If you want to disagree firmly but with elegant restraint, Keineswegs is your word.

Quatsch

Quatsch is less a "no" and more a full dismissal of an idea as absurd. It translates to "nonsense" or "rubbish" and is used to reject statements you find ridiculous. Among friends, it is playful and common. In formal settings, it would be too blunt, so opt for Keineswegs or Das sehe ich anders (I see that differently) instead.

Regional Variations

Just as German greetings vary by region, so do the ways people express yes and no.

These regional forms are heard in everyday speech but are typically avoided in formal writing. For hearing these dialects in natural context, German-language cinema is an excellent resource: Bavarian films are full of Jo, while northern productions feature Nee constantly. Our guide to the best movies for learning German covers films from every major dialect region.

How to Respond Naturally

Knowing the words is one thing. Using them in natural exchanges is another. Here are common patterns.

Agreement Responses

Disagreement Responses

Practice With Real German Content

Reading about these phrases is a strong first step, but hearing Doch, Klar, and Quatsch spoken by native speakers in real conversations is what cements them in your memory. German films and TV shows are excellent for this. Pay attention to how characters use Genau as a conversational rhythm marker, or how a well-timed Doch! can turn an entire argument around.

Wordy makes this process seamless. Watch German movies and shows with interactive subtitles, tap any word to see its meaning and pronunciation, and build vocabulary from authentic dialogue rather than textbook drills. When you hear a character fire back with Doch!, you will understand the context instantly.

For more German content, explore our blog for language guides, or visit our German learning page to start practicing with native content today.