Norwegian · Greetings & Phrases
Nei
No
Beginnerinterjection
Definition
A negative answer.
Example
Vil du ha kaffe? — Nei, takk.
Do you want coffee? — No, thanks.
Etymology
'Nei' translates to 'No' and comes from Old Norse 'neit', making it a firm denial that has sustained its meaning through centuries of use.
How & Where It’s Used
'Nei' is informal and used in both spoken and written contexts. Like 'ja', it is a standard element of conversation across Norway.