Using a computer and printer quietly | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Using a computer and printer quietly to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Må jeg bruge denne computer?

maw yai BROO-uh DEN-uh kom-PYOO-tuh? Can I use this computer?

Den computer er ledig.

den kom-PYOO-tuh air LAY-thee. That computer is free.

Skærmen er meget lys.

SGAIR-men air MAY-eth LYOOS. The screen is very bright.

Du kan skrue ned for lysstyrken her.

doo kan skroo NAYTH fohr LYOOS-stur-guhn hair. You can lower the brightness here.

Må jeg også bruge printeren?

maw yai AW-soh BROO-uh PREN-tuh-ren? Can I use the printer too?

Du kan bruge printeren ved skrivebordet.

doo kan BROO-uh PREN-tuh-ren vayth SGREE-vuh-bor-duh. You can use the printer near the desk.

Jeg vil bruge hovedtelefoner, hvis jeg afspiller lyd.

yai vil BROO-uh HOH-eth-teh-luh-FOH-nuh, vis yai OW-sbel-uh LYOOTH. I'll use headphones if I play any audio.

Så vil der være stille i rummet.

soh vil dair VAIR-uh STIL-uh ee ROOM-uhd. That will keep the room quiet.

Word by Word

Må “Må” asks for permission here: “may” or “can” I use it. In “Må jeg bruge denne computer?” it comes before the person and the action to form a polite request. Use “Må jeg ...?” when asking whether you are allowed to do something.

jeg “jeg” means “I,” the person asking to use the computer. It follows “Må” in “Må jeg bruge denne computer?” Use “jeg” for yourself as the subject of an action.

bruge “bruge” means “use” in the request “Må jeg bruge denne computer?” It names the action and is followed here by the object “denne computer.” Use “bruge” with an object when saying that you use something.

denne “denne” means “this” and points to the computer near or selected by the speaker in “denne computer.” It comes directly before the noun it identifies. Use “denne” before a noun when pointing out a particular item.

computer “computer” means “computer” in both “denne computer” and “Den computer.” In “denne computer,” it is the thing the speaker wants to use. Use “computer” after a word such as “denne” when referring to a specific computer.

Den “Den” refers back to the computer just mentioned: “that computer” or “the one mentioned.” In “Den computer er ledig,” it begins the reply about that particular computer. Use “Den” to refer to a previously identified item.

er “er” means “is” in “Den computer er ledig” and “Skærmen er meget lys.” It links the subject with information about its state or quality. Use “er” to say what something is like or what condition it is in.

ledig “ledig” means “free” or “available” here, so the computer can be used. It follows “er” in “Den computer er ledig.” Use “ledig” for a place, item, or resource that is available.

Skærmen “Skærmen” means “the screen” in “Skærmen er meget lys.” The form refers to a particular screen, and it is the definite form of “skærm.” Use “Skærmen” when talking about a known screen, such as the one on the computer.

meget “meget” means “very” in “meget lys” and strengthens the description of the screen’s brightness. It comes before “lys” in this sentence. Use “meget” before a description when you want to express a high degree.

lys “lys” means “bright” here, describing the screen in “Skærmen er meget lys.” It follows “meget” to show that the screen is very bright. Use “lys” after “er” to describe something that gives or reflects a lot of light.

Du “Du” means “you,” the person receiving the instruction about the computer settings. It starts “Du kan skrue ned for lysstyrken her.” Use “Du” when addressing one person directly.

kan “kan” means “can” here and says that the listener is able or allowed to lower the brightness. It is followed by the action phrase “skrue ned for lysstyrken.” Use “kan” before an action to express ability or possibility.

skrue ned for “skrue ned for” means “lower” or “turn down” in “skrue ned for lysstyrken.” The whole expression describes reducing a setting; “skrue,” “ned,” and “for” work together here, and the object is “lysstyrken.” Use “skrue ned for” with something adjustable, such as the brightness or volume.

lysstyrken “lysstyrken” means “the brightness” of the screen in “skrue ned for lysstyrken.” The form refers to a specific brightness setting and is the definite form of “lysstyrke.” Use “lysstyrken” when discussing the brightness of a known screen or light.

her “her” means “here,” indicating the place where the brightness control can be changed. In “Du kan skrue ned for lysstyrken her,” it comes at the end of the instruction. Use “her” to point to the current place or the relevant control location.

også “også” means “also” or “too” in “Må jeg også bruge printeren?” It adds the printer to the computer as another thing the speaker wants to use. Use “også” when adding a person, item, or action to something already mentioned.

printeren “printeren” means “the printer” in “Må jeg også bruge printeren?” and “Du kan bruge printeren ved skrivebordet.” The form refers to a specific printer and is the definite form of “printer.” Use “printeren” when the listener knows which printer you mean.

ved “ved” means “by” or “near” in “ved skrivebordet,” locating the printer next to or near the desk. It comes before the place being described. Use “ved” with a noun to say that something is located near it.

skrivebordet “skrivebordet” means “the desk” in “ved skrivebordet.” The form refers to a particular desk and is the definite form of “skrivebord.” Use “skrivebordet” when identifying a known desk as a location.

vil “vil” expresses the speaker’s intended action in “Jeg vil bruge hovedtelefoner.” Here it means “will” or “intend to.” Use “vil” before an action when stating what you plan or intend to do.

hovedtelefoner “hovedtelefoner” means “headphones,” the device the speaker will use while playing audio. In “Jeg vil bruge hovedtelefoner,” it follows “bruge” as the object of the action. Use “hovedtelefoner” when talking about listening privately or avoiding disturbing other people.

hvis “hvis” means “if” and introduces the condition “hvis jeg afspiller lyd.” It connects a possible action with the speaker’s plan to use headphones. Use “hvis” before a condition when saying what happens or applies in a particular situation.

afspiller “afspiller” means “play” here, specifically playing audio in “hvis jeg afspiller lyd.” It is followed by the object “lyd.” Use “afspiller” with “lyd” when referring to playing sound from a device.

lyd “lyd” means “sound” or “audio” in “afspiller lyd.” It is the thing being played, and no separate article is used before it in this dialogue form. Use “lyd” when referring generally to sound from a computer or another device.

Så “Så” means “then” or “so” here and introduces the result of using headphones: “Så vil der være stille i rummet.” Use “Så” at the start of a sentence when drawing a consequence from what was just said.

der “der” has an existential function in “der vil være stille i rummet”; it helps express that a quiet condition will exist in the room. It is part of the whole construction and does not mean a specific place here. Use “der vil være ...” to say that a condition or situation will be present.

være “være” means “be” or “exist” in “der vil være stille i rummet.” It follows “vil” in this expression and describes the condition that is expected to exist. Use “vil være” when saying that something will be a certain way.

stille “stille” means “quiet” in “være stille.” It describes the condition of the room after headphones are used for audio. Use “være stille” to say that a place or situation is quiet.

i “i” means “in” and places the quiet condition inside the room in “stille i rummet.” It comes before the place noun. Use “i” with a place when saying that something is inside it or occurs there.

rummet “rummet” means “the room” in “stille i rummet.” The form refers to a particular room and is the definite form of “rum.” Use “rummet” when talking about a known room as the location of an action or condition.

Grammar Points

Hvis ..., så ...

Hvis jeg afspiller lyd, så er rummet stille.

vis yai OW-sbel-uh LYOOTH, soh air ROOM-uhd STIL-uh.

If I play sound, the room is quiet.

Danish uses hvis for “if” and often så for “then” in the result clause.

Bestemt form: -en eller -et

Skærmen er meget lys. Rummet er stille.

SGAIR-men air MAY-eth LYOOS. ROOM-uhd air STIL-uh.

The screen is very bright. The room is quiet.

Danish adds -en or -et to nouns when referring to a specific thing.

Danish Vocabulary

bruge verb

BROO-uh use

computer noun

kom-PYOO-tuh computer

Gender: common

denne det

DEN-uh this

Gender: common

jeg pron

yai I

ledig adj

LAY-thee free; available

lys adj

LYOOS bright; light

lysstyrke noun

LYOOS-stur-kuh brightness lysstyrken

Gender: common

meget adv

MAY-eth very

også adv

AW-soh also; too

printer noun

PREN-tuh printer printeren

Gender: common

skrue ned for phrase

skroo NAYTH fohr turn down; lower

skærm noun

SGAIR-m screen Skærmen

Gender: common

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Can I use this computer?

Show Answer

Må jeg bruge denne computer?

That computer is free.

Show Answer

Den computer er ledig.

The screen is very bright.

Show Answer

Skærmen er meget lys.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

use

Show Answer

bruge

screen

Show Answer

Skærmen

this

Show Answer

denne

computer

Show Answer

computer