Danish 09

Vocabulary Summary

Grammar Summary (Beginner Level)

1. Reflexive Verbs with “sig”

Many verbs use reflexive pronouns:

• gifte sig = to marry (literally: marry oneself)
• skynde sig = to hurry (literally: hurry oneself)

Examples:

• Vi skal giftes = We will get married
• Skynd dig! = Hurry up!

2. “Går på pension” - Retirement Expression

Idiomatic phrase meaning “to retire”:

• går på pension = are retiring
• gå på pension = to retire

Structure: gå (go) + på (on) + pension (retirement)

3. Compound Words (Sammensatte ord)

Danish creates complex words by combining:

• afskedsreception = afsked (farewell) + reception = farewell reception
• samarbejdspartnere = samarbejds (collaboration) + partnere (partners) = collaborators
• designermøbler = designer + møbler (furniture) = designer furniture
• åbningstilbud = åbning (opening) + tilbud (offer) = opening offer
• slotspark = slot (castle) + park = castle park
• festsal = fest (party) + sal (hall) = banquet hall
• forlovelsesringe = forlovelse (engagement) + ringe (rings) = engagement rings
• vielsesringe = vielse (wedding) + ringe (rings) = wedding rings
• laserbehandling = laser + behandling (treatment) = laser treatment
• specialdesignede = special + designede (designed) = custom-designed

4. Genitive “-s” in Compounds

Use -s to connect nouns:

• samarbejdspartnere = collaboration + s + partners
• mange års erfaring = many years’ experience

5. Definite Forms (“the”)

Add endings to make nouns definite:

• -en: operation → operationen (the operation)
• -et: overskud → overskuddet (the profit)
• -ne: partnere → partnerne (the partners)

6. Present Tense Verbs

Most verbs end in -r or -er:

• åbner = opens (from åbne)
• inviterer = invite (from invitere)
• byder = offers (from byde)
• spiller = plays (from spille)

7. Superlative Forms

Bedste is the superlative of “god”:

• god → bedre → bedst = good → better → best
• byens bedste = the city’s best

8. “Træt af” - Tired of

Construction meaning “tired of”:

• Træt af at bruge briller = Tired of wearing glasses
• Pattern: træt + af + infinitive/noun

9. Adjective Agreement

Adjectives change based on definiteness and number:

• Indefinite common: en moderne behandling = a modern treatment
• Neuter: et godt tilbud = a good offer
• Plural: fine gamle sofaer = fine old sofas
• Definite: det sidste nye = the latest new

10. “Op til” - Up to

Expression meaning “up to”:

• Op til 40 personer = Up to 40 people
• spiller op til dans = play music for dancing

11. Prepositions in Context

Common prepositions:

• på = on (Går på pension = Retire; Halv pris på = Half price on)
• til = to/for (Musik til din fest = Music for your party)
• i = in (I denne måned = This month)
• af = of (Træt af = Tired of)
• hos = at (Hos os = At our place)
• inden for = within (Inden for design = Within design)

12. Passive Voice with “-s”

Common passive constructions:

• giftes = get married (from gifte sig)
• But note: Most are reflexive, not truly passive

13. Time Expressions

Common Danish time phrases:

• lige nu = right now
• denne dag = this day
• første uge = first week
• mange år = many years
• op til = up to

14. “Kig” Expressions

Kig (look) creates several phrases:

• Kig ind = drop by, look in
• Kig forbi = drop by
• at kigge = to look

15. “Byde på” - To Offer

Common expression for offering:

• Vi byder på sandwich = We offer sandwiches
• byde can also mean “to invite”

16. Plural Formation

Regular plural patterns:

• Add -r: ring → ringe = rings
• Add -er: partner → partnere = partners
• Add -e: sofa → sofaer = sofas
• Irregular: møbel → møbler = furniture

17. “Hele” - Whole/All

Hele means “whole” or “all”:

• hele verden = the whole world
• det hele = all of it
• Always with definite form

18. Imperatives (Commands)

Use infinitive form:

• Skynd dig! = Hurry up!
• Kom = Come
• Se = See/Look

19. “Kun” and “Bare” - Only/Just

Used for limitation or encouragement:

• kun 3500 kr = only 3500 kr
• Bare kig forbi = Just drop by

20. Geographic Names

Danish regions:

• Fyn = Funen (island)
• Jylland = Jutland (peninsula)
• Use i (in) with Jylland, på (on) with Fyn

21. “Inkl.” - Including

Common abbreviation:

• inkl. = inklusiv = including
• Pris inkl. transport = Price including transportation

Afskedsreception i Brillebixen

Vi går på pension og vil gerne sige pænt farvel til vores gode kunder og samarbejdspartnere. Derfor inviterer vi til reception: d. 20. februar kl. 15-18 i Brillebixen. På denne dag byder vi på gratis sandwich og et glas vin.

Afskedsreception = Farewell reception

• decompound: afsked + s + reception
• afsked = farewell
• words having prefix “af-” often indicate a separation or removal, for example:
  • afgå (to depart)
  • aflyse (to cancel), lyse means “to light”

pænt = nicely, politely

samarbejdspartnere = collaborators, partners

byder = offers, invites

• verb: at byde (to offer, to invite)
• verb ends with “r” in present tense for “vi” (we)

→ Farewell reception at Brillebixen

We are retiring and would like to say a proper goodbye to our good customers and collaborators. Therefore, we invite you to a reception: on February 20th from 3 PM to 6 PM at Brillebixen. On this day, we offer free sandwiches and a glass of wine.

A-Z Møbler åbner butik i Nygade

A-Z Møbler åbner butik i Nygade Vi har det sidste nye inden for moderne designermøbler i høj kvalitet. Åbningstilbud: 10% rabat på alle varer i butikken den første uge. Men kun i begrænset antal. Så skynd dig!

åbner = opens

• verb: at åbne (to open)

sidste = latest, last

begrænset = limited

• verb: at begrænse (to limit)

antal = number, quantity

skynd dig = hurry up

• verb: at skynde (to hurry)
• “dig” = yourself (reflexive pronoun)

→ A-Z Furniture opens store in Nygade

A-Z Furniture opens a store in Nygade. We have the latest in modern designer furniture of high quality. Opening offer: 10% discount on all items in the store during the first week. But only in limited quantities. So hurry up!

Bryllup på Lindehave Slot

Til jer, der vil giftes i historiske rammer, kan vi bl.a. tilbyde: • Slotspark og egen kirke • Festsal med antikke møbler, og 5 retters menu inkl. vin. • Overnatning for op til 40 personer

bryllup = wedding

rammer = settings, surroundings

festsal = banquet hall

• fest = party, sal = hall

tilbyde = offer

• verb: at tilbyde (to offer)
• byde also means to offer, but tilbyde is more formal

slotspark = castle park

• slot = castle, park = park

overnatning = accommodation, overnight stay

• verb: at overnatte (to stay overnight)

→ Wedding at Lindehave Castle

For those of you who want to get married in historic settings, we can offer, among other things: • Castle park and private church • Banquet hall with antique furniture, and a 5-course menu including wine. • Accommodation for up to 40 people

Kig ind hos Loppelageret

Vi har byens bedste brugte møbler. Lige nu er butikken fyldt med bl.a fine gamle sofaer. Vores butik er drevet af frivillige, og en del af overskuddet fra vores salg går til fattige børn i hele verden. Åbningstider: Mandag-fredag 10-17.

kig = look, glance

• verb: at kigge (to look)
• “kig fordi” means “drop by” or “come in for a look”

fyldt = filled

drevet = run, operated

overskuddet = the surplus, the profit

fattige = poor

→ Drop by Loppelageret

We have the city’s best used furniture. Right now, the store is filled with, among other things, fine old sofas. Our store is run by volunteers, and part of the profit from our sales goes to poor children around the world. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10 AM - 5 PM.

Romantiske vielsesringe

Skal I giftes? – Så har vi ringene! Kom og se vores store udvalg i forlovelses- og vielsesringe. Vi laver også specialdesignede ringe, hvis I har særlige ønsker.

vielsersringe = wedding rings

• vielse = wedding, ringe = rings

forlovelsesringe = engagement rings

• forlovelse = engagement
• In Danish, words starting with “for-” often indicate something that happens before the main event, e.g., forberede (to prepare), forudse (to foresee).

særlige = special, particular

ønsker = wishes, requests

→ Romantic wedding rings

Are you getting married? – Then we have the rings! Come and see our large selection of engagement and wedding rings. We also make custom-designed rings if you have special requests.

Er du træt af at bruge briller?

Få en moderne laserbehandling udført af vores erfarne personale. De fleste af vores patienter får et helt normalt syn efter operationen. Lige nu får du 10 % rabat på en behandling.

briller = glasses

• verb: at brille (to shine), but in this context, “briller” means eyeglasses

laserbehandling = laser treatment

udført = performed, carried out

fleste = most

syn = vision, sight

→ Are you tired of wearing glasses?

Get a modern laser treatment performed by our experienced staff. Most of our patients achieve completely normal vision after the operation. Right now, you get a 10% discount on a treatment.

Nyt liv til din gamle sofa.

Jeg har mange års erfaring med reparation og polstring af ældre møbler. Kom og få en snak og et godt tilbud.

→ New life for your old sofa.

I have many years of experience in repairing and upholstering older furniture. Come and have a chat and get a good offer.

Udsalg i Zenit Optik

Halv pris på alle briller i denne måned.Inkl. gratis synstest. Vi har et stort udvalg af moderne stel i flotte farver og design.

stel = frame (for glasses)

→ Sale at Zenit Optik

Half price on all glasses this month. Including free eye test. We have a large selection of modern frames in beautiful colors and designs.

Musik til din fest

Tre glade musikanter spiller op til dans. 3 timer for kun 3500 kr. Prisen er inkl. transport, hvis arrangementet er på Fyn eller i Jylland. Vi spiller både fredag, lørdag og søndag.

glade = happy, cheerful

→ Music for your party

Three cheerful musicians will get you dancing. 3 hours for only 3500 DKK. The price includes transportation if the event is in Funen or Jutland. We play on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.