German Phrase
Nee, ich bin nicht sauer.
Meaning
A casual way to deny that you are angry. The speaker uses the informal ‘Nee’ instead of the standard ‘Nein’, making the tone friendly and relaxed.
When to use
Use this sentence in informal conversations with friends, family, or peers when you want to reassure someone that you’re not upset. Avoid it in formal settings or with people you don’t know well.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nee,ichbinnichtsauer.
Nee (informal no)
‘Nee’ is a colloquial, informal way to say ‘no’, used mainly in spoken German among friends.
ich bin (present of sein)
‘bin’ is the first‑person singular present of the verb ‘sein’ (to be).
nicht (negation of adjectives)
‘nicht’ negates adjectives or verbs; placed before the adjective ‘sauer’ to mean ‘not angry’.
sauer (adjective)
‘sauer’ can mean ‘angry’ or ‘sour’; context tells which meaning is intended.
🗨In Conversation
Bist du sauer?
Are you angry?
Nee, ich bin nicht sauer.
No, I'm not angry.
✕Common Mistakes
Nein, ich bin nicht sauer.
‘Nein’ is formal; using it with the casual tone of ‘Nee’ can sound stiff.
Ich nicht bin sauer.
The negation ‘nicht’ must come before the adjective, not between subject and verb.
Ich bin nicht sauer (meaning I’m not sour).
Do not confuse ‘sauer’ (angry) with ‘sauer’ (sour) when talking about feelings.
↔Alternatives
Nein, ich bin nicht verärgert.
No, I'm not upset.
Nein, ich bin nicht böse.
No, I'm not mad.
Nee, alles gut.
No, everything's fine.
Cultural Tip
‘Nee’ is strictly informal; in a business meeting or with strangers you should use ‘Nein’. Also, ‘sauer’ can describe a sour taste, so be aware of the context – when talking about emotions, it always means ‘angry’. Germans often appreciate directness, so a short ‘Nee, …’ is perfectly acceptable in casual chats.