Basic Word Order in Danish Sentences
In standard Danish declarative sentences, the verb typically appears in the second position, a structure known as V2 word order. For example:
Jeg spiser morgenmad. (I eat breakfast.)
Here, “spiser” (eat) is the verb and appears second, following the subject “jeg” (I).
Yes/No Questions in Danish
When forming yes/no questions in Danish, the typical structure changes. The verb moves to the very first position, preceding the subject:
Spiser du morgenmad? (Do you eat breakfast?)
In this structure, “spiser” (eat) is now first, and “du” (you) follows. This inversion signals that a question is being asked. Therefore, in yes/no questions, the verb does not come second—it comes first.
Examples of Yes/No Questions
- Kommer han i morgen? (Is he coming tomorrow?)
- Har du set filmen? (Have you seen the movie?)
Wh-Questions (Question Word Questions)
For questions that begin with a question word (such as hvad (what), hvor (where), hvordan (how)), Danish also follows a distinct pattern. The structure is:
Question word + verb + subject + …
For example:
Hvad laver du? (What are you doing?)
Here, “hvad” (what) is the question word, “laver” (do/are doing) is the verb, and “du” (you) is the subject. The verb comes second after the question word, so in wh-questions, the verb does indeed appear in the second position.
Examples of Wh-Questions
- Hvor bor du? (Where do you live?)
- Hvordan har du det? (How are you?)
- Hvornår kommer toget? (When does the train arrive?)
Indirect Questions and Embedded Clauses
In indirect questions or embedded clauses (questions within a sentence), Danish word order shifts again. The verb typically does not come in the second position, but rather follows the subject, similar to English subordinate clauses:
Jeg ved ikke, om han kommer. (I don’t know if he is coming.)
Here, “han” (he) is the subject, and “kommer” (comes/is coming) is the verb. The verb follows the subject, not preceding it.
Summary Table: Danish Question Word Order
| Type of Question | Order of Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No Question | Verb first | Spiser du morgenmad? |
| Wh-Question | Verb second (after question word) | Hvor bor du? |
| Embedded/Indirect Question | Verb follows subject | Jeg ved ikke, om han kommer. |
Key Takeaways for Danish Learners
- In standard sentences, the verb is second.
- In yes/no questions, the verb is first.
- In wh-questions, the verb is second, after the question word.
- In indirect questions, the verb follows the subject.
Understanding these patterns will help you construct correct questions in Danish and avoid common mistakes. Remember, mastering word order is essential for clear communication and comprehension.
Practice and Further Learning
The best way to internalize Danish question structures is through practice. Try forming your own questions, listen to native speakers, and get feedback. For more interactive exercises and detailed explanations, check out the Talkpal AI language learning blog where you’ll find a range of resources designed to make learning Danish fun and effective.
By mastering question word order, you’ll be well on your way to speaking Danish confidently and correctly!
