Basic understanding and knowledge | Learn Danish in English

Danish lesson set in a contemporary Copenhagen everyday setting: A beginner practices six useful English phrases about basic understanding and knowledge..

EN → DA / Level: A1

About This Lesson

Use Basic understanding and knowledge to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Jeg forstår det nu.

yai foh-STOH-uh deh NOO. I understand now.
B

Jeg forstår det ikke.

yai foh-STOH-uh deh EH-guh. I do not understand.
A

Jeg ved det ikke.

yai veh deh EH-guh. I do not know.
B

Hvad mener du?

veh MAY-nuh doo? What do you mean?
A

Forstår du mig?

foh-STOH-uh doo MYE? Do you understand me?
B

Kender du ham?

KEN-uh doo ham? Do you know him?

Word by Word

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” and identifies the speaker in statements such as “Jeg forstår det nu.” and “Jeg ved det ikke.” It is used at the beginning when you describe your own understanding or knowledge.
forstår “forstår” means “understand” in “Jeg forstår det nu.” and “Jeg forstår det ikke.” It is used with “det” when referring to something understood, and with “du” and “mig” in the question “Forstår du mig?” Use it when saying whether you understand an explanation or another person.
det “det” refers to the thing or information being understood or known in “Jeg forstår det nu.”, “Jeg forstår det ikke.”, and “Jeg ved det ikke.” It follows “forstår” or “ved” in these expressions. These phrases are useful when responding to an explanation or a question about knowledge.
nu “nu” means “now” in “Jeg forstår det nu.” It shows that the understanding applies at the present moment, after previously not understanding. Use it when you want to say that something has become clear.
ikke “ikke” makes the statement negative in “Jeg forstår det ikke.” and “Jeg ved det ikke.” It appears after the object “det” in both expressions. Use these phrases when saying that you do not understand or do not know something.
ved “ved” means “know” in “Jeg ved det ikke.”, referring to knowing information or an answer. It is used with “det” in this expression and is different from “Kender du ham?”, which asks about knowing a person. Use “Jeg ved det ikke.” when you do not know the answer.
Hvad “Hvad” means “what” in the question “Hvad mener du?” It asks for the content or meaning of what another person has said. Use it at the beginning when asking what someone means.
mener “mener” means “mean” in “Hvad mener du?” and asks for the speaker’s intended meaning. It is used with “du” in this question. Use the full expression when something another person said is unclear.
du “du” means “you” in “Hvad mener du?”, “Forstår du mig?”, and “Kender du ham?” It identifies the person being asked about their meaning, understanding, or knowledge. Use it when addressing one person directly.
mig “mig” means “me” in “Forstår du mig?” and refers to the person speaking or being understood. It follows “forstår” in this question. Use the expression when asking whether someone understands what you are saying.
Kender “Kender” means “know” or “be acquainted with” in “Kender du ham?”, where the question is about knowing a person. It is used with “du” and the person-object “ham”. Use this question when asking whether someone is familiar with a particular person.
ham “ham” means “him” in “Kender du ham?” and identifies the male person being asked about. It comes after “du” in this question. Use it when asking whether someone knows a particular man.

Grammar Points

ikke after the object

Jeg forstår det ikke.

yai foh-STOH-uh deh EH-guh.

I do not understand it.

In a simple Danish sentence, ikke usually comes after the object or other sentence information.

Question word + verb + subject

Hvad mener du?

veh MAY-nuh doo?

What do you mean?

In questions beginning with a question word, the verb comes before the subject.

Danish Vocabulary

det pron
deh it

Jeg forstår det nu.

du pron
doo you

Hvad mener du?

forstå verb
foh-STOH understand forstår

Jeg forstår det nu.

ham pron
ham him

Kender du ham?

hvad pron
veh what

Hvad mener du?

ikke adv
EH-guh not

Jeg forstår det ikke.

jeg pron
yai I

Jeg forstår det nu.

kende verb
KEN-uh know someone kender

Kender du ham?

mene verb
MAY-nuh mean mener

Hvad mener du?

mig pron
MYE me

Forstår du mig?

nu adv
NOO now

Jeg forstår det nu.

vide verb
VEE-thuh know ved

Jeg ved det ikke.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I understand now.

Show AnswerJeg forstår det nu.

I do not understand.

Show AnswerJeg forstår det ikke.

I do not know.

Show AnswerJeg ved det ikke.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

not

Show Answerikke

mean

Show Answermener

know someone

Show Answerkender

understand

Show Answerforstår