Learn Dutch: Jawel, ik denk van wel. - Yes indeed, I think so.

Jawel, ik denk van wel.

Yes indeed, I think so.

Breakdown of Jawel, ik denk van wel.

van wel

so / that it is

jawel

yes (contradicting a negative)

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Questions & Answers about Jawel, ik denk van wel.

Why use van wel here instead of ik denk het?

Both translate to 'I think so', but ik denk van wel is more emphatic and contrasts directly with van niet (not). The phrase van wel is used after verbs of thought and communication to replace an entire positive subclause, making it perfect for answering a yes/no question.

What is the difference between ja and jawel at the beginning of this sentence?

Jawel is a stronger, more emphatic 'yes'. It is often used to contradict a negative statement or assumption. If someone implies that something isn't true, starting your reply with jawel politely but firmly corrects them before adding ik denk van wel.

How would I make this sentence negative to say 'I don't think so'?

You would change van wel to van niet, making it ik denk van niet. In Dutch, when using this construction, you don't negate the main verb (you don't say ik denk niet). Instead, you use van niet to substitute the entire negative thought.

Does the word wel here mean 'well' or 'good'?

No, in this context wel functions as the affirmative counterpart to niet. Just as van niet stands in for a negative clause ('that it is not so'), van wel stands in for a positive one ('that it is so'). It acts as an emphatic 'yes' within the substituted clause.