German Phrase
Nee, andersrum.
Meaning
A concise reply meaning “No, the other way around.” It is used to correct a mistaken statement about direction, order, or relationship, emphasizing that the opposite is true.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone has got the direction, order, or relationship wrong and you want to correct them quickly. It works in informal conversations, classroom settings, or any situation where a brief clarification is needed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nee,andersrum.
Nee
A short, informal way to say “no” in Dutch. It can stand alone or precede a correction.
andersrum
An adverb meaning “the other way around” or “the opposite direction”. It is colloquial and often used in spoken Dutch.
Punctuation
A comma after “Nee” signals a brief pause, mirroring natural speech rhythm.
🗨In Conversation
Is de ingang links?
Is the entrance on the left?
Nee, andersrum.
No, the other way around.
✕Common Mistakes
Nee, anders.
“Anders” alone means “different” or “otherwise”, not “the other way around”. It needs a complement like “andersrum” or “andersom”.
Nee, omgekeerd.
While understandable, “omgekeerd” is a bit formal and can sound stiff in casual conversation. Prefer “andersrum” or “andersom”.
Nee, andersom.
“Andersom” is correct, but many learners confuse the spelling with “andersrum”. Both are acceptable; just be consistent with the version you choose.
↔Alternatives
Nee, het is andersom.
No, it’s the other way around.
Nee, omgekeerd.
No, reversed.
Nee, niet zo, maar anders.
No, not like that, but the opposite.
Cultural Tip
Dutch speakers are known for their directness, and short corrections like “Nee, andersrum.” are perfectly natural. The phrase is informal, so avoid it in very formal written contexts. In the Netherlands and Flanders, “andersrum” is more common in spoken language, while “andersom” can appear in slightly more formal speech or writing.