Antworten with doch
B2 · Upper-Intermediate · Style & Precision
The rule
doch answers negative questions positively.
How it works
Doch is used to contradict a negative statement or question: Kommst du nicht? – Doch! (Aren't you coming? – Yes, I am!). Ja and nein would confirm or deny the negative question, but doch reverses it. Doch can also express surprise or emphasis in statements.
When to use it
Contradict a negative question positively with doch: "Kommst du nicht?" "Doch!" (Aren’t you coming? Yes, I am!)
Use cases
- Contradicting a negative question: Hast du keinen Hunger? – Doch!
- Correcting someone: Das stimmt doch nicht!
- Expressing surprise: Das ist doch toll!
Examples
- Kommst du nicht? — Doch! – You aren't coming? — Yes I am!
- Du kennst ihn nicht? Doch, ich kenne ihn. – You do not know him? Yes, I do.
- Hat er nicht angerufen? Doch, gestern. – Did he not call? He did, yesterday.
- Das ist doch unmöglich! – That is impossible, surely!
Common mistake
Answering ja or nein to a negative question; in German you need doch to contradict it.
Memory tip
Negative question + doch = positive answer.