In German, there are 3 ways to answer questions without a question word: Ja, Nein, Doch. Learners of German often confuse these 3 answers. So how can we tell them apart? Let's find out in the article below!!

1. Ja, Nein answering affirmative questions

An affirmative question is a question that does not contain negative words such as kein- or nicht. For example:

Hast du ein Auto? – Ja, ich habe ein Auto. (Do you have a car? - Yes, I have a car.)

→ Ja expresses agreement with the question

Hast du ein Auto? – Nein, ich habe kein Auto. (Do you have a car? - No, I don't have a car.)

Musst du arbeiten? – Nein, ich muss nicht arbeiten. (Do you have to work? - No, I don't have to work.)

→ Nein expresses disagreement with the question

2. Nein, Doch answering negative questions

A negative question is a question that contains negative words such as kein - or nicht. For example:

Kommst du morgen nicht? - Nein, ich komme nicht. (Aren't you coming tomorrow? - No, I'm not coming.)

→ Nein expresses agreement with the question.

Kommst du morgen nicht? - Doch, ich komme. (Aren't you coming tomorrow? - Yes, I am coming.)

→ Doch expresses disagreement with the question.

!!! In addition, Doch is also used as an adverb to express disagreement with a statement that contains a negative element (kein-, nicht). For example:

Deine Geschichte ist nicht wahr! - Doch! (Meine Geschichte ist wahr!)

(Your story isn't true! - Yes, it is! (My story is true!))