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Danish prepositions that are similar to English ones

If you are exploring Danish and already familiar with English, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
Many prepositions in Danish closely mirror their English counterparts, both in form and meaning.
Prepositions are small words with big jobs.

Examples in English include "in," "on," and "with." Danish prepositions perform the same function, often aligning closely with their English equivalents.¨

1. In / I

The Danish preposition "på" (pronounced "paw") corresponds to the English "on" and is used in familiar situations.

    English: The book is in the bag.
    Danish: Bogen er i tasken.

2. On / På

    English: The cup is on the table.
    Danish: Koppen står på bordet.

3. With / Med

The Danish preposition "med" (pronounced "meth") aligns perfectly with the English "with" when indicating accompaniment.

    English: I am going with my friend.
    Danish: Jeg går med min ven.

4. Under / Under

This one is easy! The word "under" remains the same in both languages and is used identically.

    English: The cat is under the bed.
    Danish: Katten er under sengen.

5. From / Fra

The Danish "fra" (pronounced "frah") is equivalent to the English "from" and follows similar usage.

    English: I came from the city.
    Danish: Jeg kom fra byen.

6. To / Til

The Danish preposition "til" (pronounced "til") is the same as the English "to" in meaning, often used for direction or purpose.

    English: I am going to the store.
    Danish: Jeg går til butikken.

How similarities make learning easier

For English speakers learning Danish, recognizing these shared prepositions is a huge confidence boost.
It reduces the need for rote memorization and allows you to focus on proper sentence structure and pronunciation instead.
Mind the Differences

While many prepositions are similar, keep in mind that some can diverge in use.
For example, "på" can mean both "on" and "at" in Danish, depending on the context.

    Match Examples: Pair an English sentence with its Danish translation using the prepositions listed above.
        Example:
            English: I live in a house.
            Danish: Jeg bor i et hus.

    Create New Sentences: Use the prepositions "in," "on," "with," and "under" to describe objects around you in both languages.    Speak and Compare: Practice saying prepositions aloud to internalize their pronunciation and usage.

Use our gap-fill quizzes to train.
Select  in Phrasal verbs (Prepostions) the grammar dropdown.

https://fluencyonlife.com/danish-fill-in-gaps-quizzes/

https://fluencyonlife.com/danish-world-topics-with-questions-and-audio/

Prepositions may seem small, but they hold the power to bring your sentences to life.
For English speakers learning Danish, the shared prepositions provide a unique advantage.
By focusing on these similarities and practising regularly, you’ll find yourself mastering Danish prepositions in no time.

Keep practicing, and soon, you’ll not only recognize these words but also use them with confidence in your everyday Danish conversations.