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Danish prepositions compared to English ones

Bringteacher on Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

What are prepositions?

Prepositions can be tricky when learning a new language, and Danish is no exception. 
These small but powerful words connect nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence, expressing relationships in terms of time, place, direction, and more.
Some Danish prepositions are often the same in English, but they do not always translate one-to-one.



In Danish, prepositions like på (on), i (in), and under (under) are common.
They typically come before the noun or pronoun, just like in English. 
However, their usage can vary, depending on idiomatic expressions and context.

Prepositions that are the same in Danish and English.

1. På (On)

The Danish "på" is similar to the English "on" but has a broader use.

  • Jeg sidder på stolen. (I am sitting on the chair.)
    Here, "på" is used just like "on" in English, indicating physical contact between the chair and the person.

  • Hun er på arbejde. (She is at work.)
    In Danish, "på" is often used where English would use "at," particularly for places like work, school, or the hospital.

  • Vi skal på ferie i morgen. (We are going on vacation tomorrow.)
    When talking about activities or trips, "på" translates to "on."

2. I (In)

The preposition "i" is used much like "in" in English but can also represent a sense of "inside" or "within."

  • Bogen ligger "i" tasken. (The book is in the bag.)
    A straightforward use, where "i" matches "in."

  • De bor "i" København. (They live in Copenhagen.)
    Similar to English, "i" indicates location.

  • Vi kommer "i" løbet af dagen. (We will come during the day.)
    I løbet af (in the course of) is a common expression showing time.

3. Under (Under)

"Under" works similarly in both Danish and English, (beneath something).

  • Hunden ligger "under" bordet. (The dog is lying "under" the table.)
    Clear and direct – "under" is the same in both languages.

  • Han arbejdede "under" pres. (He worked "under" pressure.)
    Figurative use also matches English.

  • Vi mødtes "under" festen. (We met "during" the party.)
    When referring to time, under can mean "during."

Key differences between Danish and English prepositions.

While some prepositions align neatly, others do not. For example, English uses "at" where Danish prefers på or i:

  • Jeg er på skolen. (I am at school.)
    In Danish, you are "on" school rather than "at" school.

Another tricky point is that Danish often combines prepositions with verbs, forming expressions that don’t translate word-for-word:

  • Jeg ser frem til det. (I am looking forward to it.)
    Here, frem til (forward to) is unique to Danish, while English uses "to" alone.

 

Most used Danish prepositions with English equivalents:

  1. På – On/At

    • Example in Danish: Jeg er på arbejdet.
    • Translation: I am at work.

  2. I – In

    • Example in Danish: Jeg bor i Danmark.
    • Translation: I live in Denmark.

  3. Under – Under

    • Example in Danish: Katten er under sengen.
    • Translation: The cat is under the bed.

  4. Over – Over

    • Example in Danish: Flyet fløj over byen.
    • Translation: The plane flew over the city.

  5. Ved – By/At

    • Example in Danish: Han står ved døren.
    • Translation: He is standing by the door.

  6. For – For

    • Example in Danish: Jeg købte en gave for hende.
    • Translation: I bought a gift for her.

  7. Bag – Behind

    • Example in Danish: Katten er bag døren.
    • Translation: The cat is behind the door.

  8. Til – To/For

    • Example in Danish: Vi går til skolen.
    • Translation: We are going to school.

  9. Fra – From

    • Example in Danish: Jeg kommer fra Danmark. or Jeg er fra Danmark.
    • Translation: I am from Denmark.

  10. Mellem – Between

    • Example in Danish: Jeg står mellem to personer.
    • Translation: I am standing between two people.

 

Tips for mastering Danish prepositions:

  1. Learn Common Expressions: Many prepositions are part of fixed phrases (på arbejde, i byen). Memorizing these will make speaking more natural.

  2. Notice Contexts: Danish prepositions can vary based on formality and context, so pay attention to their usage in conversations.

  3. Practice Verb-Preposition Combinations: Some verbs, like "tænke på" (think about), always take specific prepositions.

Use our Danish section with audio speech and tests:

Select "Prepositions" in the grammar dropdown

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

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

Prepositions may seem small, but they’re mighty!
With practice and attention, you'll find they become second nature.
Start incorporating them into your Danish sentences today, and enjoy the clarity they bring to your language learning journey! 😊