nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen

Dutch

Alternative forms

• nee heb je, ja kan je krijgen

Etymology

Roughly, “you [already] have [a] 'no', you can [still] get [a] 'yes'”.

Proverb

nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen

1. it never hurts to ask

Usage notes

• This phrase is slightly more specific than its near-synonym niet geschoten is altijd mis (and its synonyms), as this phrase is used specifically when encouraging someone to ask or request things from others, whereas niet geschoten is altijd mis is used when trying things in general (not limited to questions or requests).