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How to Say "No" in Dutch

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Nee
"No" in Dutch 路 say it like nay

The most natural way to say "No" in Dutch is Nee. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Nee, dank je
use this when politely declining an offer
Nee, bedankt
a polite way to say no, often used in social situations

When to use it

You use 'nee' when you want to refuse something or express disagreement. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's a straightforward way to say no without any additional explanation.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "No" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Dutch

DutchEnglish
Wil je nog een stuk taart? Nee.Do you want another piece of cake? No.
Ga je mee naar het feest? Nee, dank je.Are you coming to the party? No, thank you.
Common mistake
A common mistake is to use 'nee' in overly formal situations where a more polite refusal is expected.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Nee, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Dutch with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'nee' used in all situations?

'Nee' is generally acceptable, but in formal situations, you might want to add 'dank je' or 'bedankt' for politeness.

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