Answering without repeating everything
In English you answer Do you speak German? with Yes, I do. Danish has the same short answer, but it is built differently: you start with det (it), then the verb, then the subject.
| Do you speak German? — Yes, I do. | Taler du tysk? — Ja, det gør jeg. |
| Does she speak French? — No, she does not. | Taler hun fransk? — Nej, det gør hun ikke. |
Which verb?
Use gøre (to do) when the question has an ordinary verb such as taler, læser or drikker. When the question uses er or har, repeat that verb instead:
| question | yes | no |
|---|---|---|
| Taler du dansk? | Ja, det gør jeg. | Nej, det gør jeg ikke. |
| Er du træt? | Ja, det er jeg. | Nej, det er jeg ikke. |
| Har lægen nøglen? | Ja, det har han. | Nej, det har han ikke. |
| Are you tired? — Yes, I am. | Er du træt? — Ja, det er jeg. |
Because det comes first, the verb jumps in front of the subject: det gør jeg, never det jeg gør. Ikke goes at the very end.
Jo — yes to a negative question
Danish has a second word for yes. When the question contains ikke and you want to say yes, answer jo, not ja:
| Do you not speak Danish? — Yes, I do. | Taler du ikke dansk? — Jo, det gør jeg. |
Languages and how well you speak them
Language names are written with a small letter: tysk, fransk, spansk, svensk. To say how well, use godt (well), meget (very) and lidt (a little):
| Do you speak English well? — Yes, very well. | Taler du godt engelsk? — Ja, meget godt. |
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