German Phrase
Nee, ich nehm' die U-Bahn.
Meaning
The speaker is replying informally with "No" and stating that they will take the subway. The contraction "nehm'" signals a relaxed, spoken style.
When to use
Use this sentence when you’re declining an alternative (e.g., a bus or walking) and want to say you’ll ride the subway. It’s best suited for conversations with friends, classmates, or coworkers in a casual setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Neeichnehm'dieU-Bahn
Nee (informal no)
A colloquial short form of "Nein" used in casual spoken German, similar to "nah" or "nope" in English.
ich nehme (verb conjugation)
The verb "nehmen" (to take) conjugated for "ich" becomes "nehme"; in fast speech the vowel is often dropped and an apostrophe marks the omission: "nehm'".
die (definite article)
"U-Bahn" is a feminine noun, so it takes the definite article "die" in the accusative case.
U‑Bahn (compound noun)
Short for "Untergrundbahn", the underground subway system; capitalised and hyphenated in German.
🗨In Conversation
Willst du mit dem Bus fahren?
Do you want to go by bus?
Nee, ich nehm' die U-Bahn.
No, I'm taking the subway.
✕Common Mistakes
Nein, ich nehme die U-Bahn.
Using the formal "Nein" changes the tone; "Nee" is the casual equivalent.
Nee, ich nehme die U-Bahn.
In spoken German the vowel is often dropped; writing "nehm'" reflects the spoken form.
Nee, ich nehm' der U-Bahn.
"U‑Bahn" is feminine, so the correct article is "die" in the accusative.
↔Alternatives
Nein, ich nehme die U-Bahn.
No, I’ll take the subway.
Ich fahre mit der U-Bahn.
I’m traveling by subway.
Ich nehme die U‑Bahn.
I’ll take the subway.
Cultural Tip
In German cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg, "U‑Bahn" is the most common term for the underground. The informal "Nee" is typical among younger speakers and should be avoided in formal contexts or with strangers you don’t know well. Also, note that the hyphen in "U‑Bahn" is standard in writing, but in speech the two parts are said together as one word.