Handling Noise from a Neighbor Calmly | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Handling Noise from a Neighbor Calmly to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Musikken ved siden af har holdt mig vågen flere nætter på det seneste.

MOOS-guh veh SEE-uh eh hah HULLD my VOH-en FLY-uh NET-uh poh deh SAY-nuh-stuh. The music next door has kept me up several nights lately.

Så bør vi tale med dem, før det bliver en større konflikt.

Soh buhr vee TAE-luh meh dee, fuhr deh BLEE-vuh en STUR-uh kon-FLEGD. Then we should talk to them before it becomes a bigger conflict.

Jeg vil ikke lyde dramatisk, fordi de måske ikke er klar over, at det er højt.

Yai vel EG-uh LOO-uh drah-MAE-disg, for-DEE dee MOH-sguh EG-uh air klar OH-uh, eh deh air HOYD. I do not want to sound dramatic, because they may not realize it is loud.

Start med at sige, at væggene er tynde, og at du har brug for at sove tidligt.

SDAHD meh eh SEE-uh, eh VEG-uh-nuh air TUHN-uh, oh eh doo hah BROO for eh SOH-vuh TEE-lee. Start by saying the walls are thin and you need to sleep early.

Skal vi nævne ejendommens regler om stilleperioder?

SGEL vee NEV-nuh EYE-en-dom-ens RYE-luh ohm STIL-uh-peh-ree-OH-uh? Should we mention the building rules about quiet hours?

Kun hvis de nægter at samarbejde. En venlig påmindelse er mere rimelig i starten.

Koon ves dee NEG-duh eh sah-MAH-bye-duh. En VEN-lee POH-men-uhl-suh air MAY-uh REE-muh-lee ee SDAH-den. Only if they refuse to cooperate. A friendly reminder is more reasonable at first.

Måske kan vi foreslå, at de bruger hovedtelefoner senere på aftenen, når vi skal på arbejde næste dag.

MOH-sguh kan vee foh-uh-SLOH, eh dee BROO-uh HOH-ehd-teh-leh-FOH-uh SAY-nuh-ruh poh AF-duh-nen, nawr vee sgel poh AR-bye-duh NES-duh day. Maybe we can suggest that they use headphones later in the evening when we have work the next day.

Det ville være et praktisk kompromis, og det beskylder dem ikke direkte.

Deh VEL-uh VEH-uh ed PRAHG-disg kom-PROH-mees, oh deh beh-SGUL-uh dehm EG-uh dee-REG-duh. That would be a practical compromise, and it does not accuse them directly.

Jeg kan vælge et roligt tidspunkt i aften for at tale med dem.

Yai kan VEL-guh ed ROH-lee TEES-pong ee AF-den for eh TAE-luh meh dehm. I can choose a calm moment this evening to talk to them.

Et roligt tidspunkt for samtalen forhindrer som regel, at et lille problem bliver personligt.

Ed ROH-lee TEES-pong for sahm-TAE-len for-HEN-druh som RYE-l, eh ed LEH-luh proh-BLEM BLEE-vuh peh-SON-lee. Calm timing usually prevents a small problem from becoming personal.

Word by Word

Musikken “Musikken” means “the music” in “Musikken ved siden af”. The form refers to the music coming from next door; use it when identifying a specific music source, such as “Musikken er høj” for “The music is loud” in a new example.

ved In “ved siden af”, “ved” contributes the meaning of being beside or next to something. The whole expression “ved siden af” means “next door” here and can also describe another location beside a person or object.

siden In “ved siden af”, “siden” contributes the idea of a side. Together with “ved” and “af”, the exact expression describes something located next door or beside something else.

af In “ved siden af”, “af” is part of the expression describing a position beside something. Keep all three components in the reusable pattern “ved siden af + place or person”, rather than shortening the expression.

har “Har” means “has” in “har holdt mig vågen” and helps connect the past experience with the present situation. Reuse “har” with a past form when describing something that has happened or continued up to now, such as “Jeg har arbejdet” in a new example.

holdt “Holdt” contributes the meaning of keeping someone in the expression “har holdt mig vågen”. The construction “har holdt + person + vågen” describes something that has prevented that person from falling asleep; use it for ongoing effects of noise or another disturbance.

mig “Mig” means “me” as the person affected in “har holdt mig vågen”. It follows the verb in this construction, as in the new example “Det har holdt mig vågen” for “It has kept me awake.”

vågen “Vågen” means “awake” in “har holdt mig vågen” and describes the state in which the speaker has been kept. Reuse it after expressions such as “holde mig vågen” when talking about sleep being interrupted.

flere “Flere” means “several” or “more than one” in “flere nætter”. It is placed before the noun and can describe several instances, people, or things in a new example such as “flere dage” for “several days.”

nætter “Nætter” means “nights” in “flere nætter”. It refers to multiple nights affected by the music; use it with a quantity or time expression when discussing repeated nighttime events.

på In “på det seneste”, “på” is part of the fixed expression meaning “lately” or “recently”. Learn the complete pattern “på det seneste” and use it to describe something that has happened repeatedly in the recent period.

det In “på det seneste”, “det” is part of the expression meaning “lately”; in “at det er højt” and “Det ville være”, it refers to the situation or thing being discussed. Its exact form appears as “det” and sentence-initial “Det” in the dialogue.

seneste “Seneste” means “most recent” in “på det seneste”. The whole expression refers to the recent period, and it is useful for describing something that has happened lately without naming a specific date.

Så “Så” means “then” at the start of “Så bør vi tale med dem”. It links the previous problem to a proposed next action, so use it when drawing a conclusion or moving to the next step.

bør “Bør” means “should” or “ought to” in “bør vi tale med dem”. It presents talking to the neighbors as advisable; reuse it before the action someone ought to take, such as “Du bør hvile” in a new example.

vi “Vi” means “we” in “bør vi tale med dem”. It identifies the speaker and another person as the people who may act; use it as the subject when describing a shared plan.

tale “Tale” means “talk” or “speak” in “tale med dem”. The pattern “tale med + person” is used for speaking with someone, especially when discussing a matter directly.

med “Med” means “with” in “tale med dem”. It connects the action of talking to the people involved; reuse “tale med + person” when naming the person you speak with.

dem “Dem” means “them” in “tale med dem” and “beskylder dem”. It refers to the neighbors as the people spoken to or affected by the action; use it after a verb or preposition when referring to those people.

før “Før” means “before” in “før det bliver en større konflikt”. It introduces the point that should come first in time; reuse “før + clause” when one action should happen before another event.

bliver “Bliver” means “becomes” in “før det bliver en større konflikt”. It describes a change into a more serious state; use it with a noun or adjective when saying that a situation changes.

en “En” is the indefinite article in “en større konflikt” and “En venlig påmindelse”. It introduces one unspecified noun of the relevant type; keep it before a noun such as “en konflikt” in a new example.

større “Større” means “bigger” or “greater” in “en større konflikt”. It compares the possible conflict with the current or expected situation; use it before a noun when describing something as larger or more serious.

konflikt “Konflikt” means “conflict” in “en større konflikt”. It names the disagreement that the speakers want to prevent; use it for a serious disagreement between people or groups.

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” in “Jeg vil ikke lyde dramatisk”. It identifies the speaker as the person expressing a wish or concern; use it at the start of a sentence about your own action or opinion.

vil “Vil” means “want to” in “Jeg vil ikke lyde dramatisk”. It expresses the speaker’s wish about how they do not want to come across; reuse “vil + infinitive” to state what you want to do.

ikke “Ikke” means “not” in “vil ikke lyde dramatisk”. It negates the speaker’s wish or action; place it after the modal verb in a pattern such as “Jeg vil ikke + infinitive.”

lyde “Lyde” means “sound” in “lyde dramatisk”, referring to how the speaker may come across to the neighbors. Reuse “lyde + adjective” when describing someone’s apparent tone or impression, such as “lyde venlig” in a new example.

dramatisk “Dramatisk” means “dramatic” in “lyde dramatisk”. It describes an impression that the speaker wants to avoid giving; use it after “lyde” when commenting on how a statement may seem.

fordi “Fordi” means “because” in “fordi de måske ikke er klar over”. It introduces the reason for the speaker’s concern; use “fordi + clause” to explain why something is the case.

de “De” means “they” in “de måske ikke er klar over”. It refers to the neighbors as the people who may not realize how loud the music is; use it as the subject of a clause about those people.

måske “Måske” means “maybe” in “måske ikke er klar over”. It signals that the speaker is making a possibility rather than a certainty; use it when offering a cautious explanation or suggestion.

er “Er” means “are” in “de er klar over” and “det er højt”. It links the subject to an awareness or description; reuse it in simple statements about what someone is aware of or how something is.

klar In “er klar over”, “klar” contributes the idea of being aware or clear about something. The complete expression “være klar over + something” means “be aware of something” and is useful when discussing whether someone realizes a fact.

over In “er klar over”, “over” is part of the expression meaning “aware of”. Keep it with “klar” in the pattern “være klar over + fact or situation”; it does not mean “over” as a physical position here.

at “At” has several functions in this dialogue: it introduces a clause in “at det er højt” and “at du har brug for”, and it marks the infinitive in “at sige” and “at sove”. Use it according to the following construction, rather than assigning it one translation in every sentence.

højt “Højt” means “loud” in “det er højt”, describing the volume of the music. Use it after “er” when commenting on how loud a sound is, as in the new example “Musikken er højt” only if the surrounding construction requires this form.

Start “Start” means “start” as a direct instruction in “Start med at sige”. It tells the listener what action to take first; reuse “Start med at + action” when giving step-by-step advice.

sige “Sige” means “say” in “Start med at sige”. It names the first action the listener should take when speaking to the neighbors; reuse the pattern “sige, at + clause” to report what someone should communicate.

væggene “Væggene” means “the walls” in “væggene er tynde”. It refers to the specific walls of the building; use the definite form when talking about known walls in a room or building.

tynde “Tynde” means “thin” in “væggene er tynde”. It describes the walls as allowing sound to pass through easily; use it after “er” to describe plural walls or other things as thin.

og “Og” means “and” in “tynde, og at du har brug for”. It joins related pieces of information in the advice; reuse it to connect two actions, descriptions, or clauses.

du “Du” means “you” in “at du har brug for at sove tidligt”. It identifies the person receiving the advice; use it as the subject when speaking directly to one person.

brug In “har brug for”, “brug” contributes to the expression meaning “need”. The reusable pattern is “have brug for + thing or action”, as in “Jeg har brug for hjælp” in a new example.

for In “har brug for”, “for” is part of the expression meaning “need” and connects the person to what is needed. Keep the complete pattern “have brug for + noun or infinitive” rather than translating this “for” separately.

sove “Sove” means “sleep” in “at sove tidligt”. It names the action that the listener needs to do early; use it after “at” or after another verb when describing the action of sleeping.

tidligt “Tidligt” means “early” in “sove tidligt”. It tells when the sleeping should happen; use it after an action such as “sove” to specify an early time.

Skal “Skal” means “should” or “shall” in the question “Skal vi nævne”. It asks whether the speakers ought to mention something; reuse “Skal vi + action?” when proposing a joint action.

nævne “Nævne” means “mention” in “Skal vi nævne ejendommens regler”. It refers to bringing a specific topic into the conversation; use it with the thing or topic being mentioned.

ejendommens “Ejendommens” means “the building’s” or “of the property” in “ejendommens regler”. It shows that the rules belong to the building or property; use the same possessive pattern before a noun when identifying ownership.

regler “Regler” means “rules” in “ejendommens regler”. It refers to the building’s requirements about quiet periods; use it for established instructions or requirements, often with the place or organization that sets them.

om “Om” means “about” in “regler om stilleperioder”. It connects the rules to their subject, quiet periods; reuse “regler om + topic” when naming what rules concern.

stilleperioder “Stilleperioder” means “quiet periods” or “quiet hours” in “regler om stilleperioder”. It refers to times when quiet is expected in the building; use it when discussing designated quiet times rather than general silence.

Kun “Kun” means “only” in “Kun hvis de nægter at samarbejde”. It limits when the speakers will mention the rules; use it before a condition or action when setting a restriction.

hvis “Hvis” means “if” in “hvis de nægter at samarbejde”. It introduces the condition under which the rules should be mentioned; reuse “hvis + clause” when describing a possible condition.

nægter “Nægter” means “refuse” in “nægter at samarbejde”. It describes a deliberate failure to agree to the requested cooperation; use it with “at” and the action someone refuses to do.

samarbejde “Samarbejde” means “cooperate” in “nægter at samarbejde”. It names the shared effort expected from the neighbors; reuse “samarbejde med + person” when describing cooperation with someone.

venlig “Venlig” means “friendly” in “En venlig påmindelse”. It describes a reminder delivered in a polite and non-aggressive way; use it before a noun when characterizing an interaction as friendly.

påmindelse “Påmindelse” means “reminder” in “En venlig påmindelse”. It names a message that helps someone remember an expectation or rule; use it for a polite follow-up about something previously known.

mere “Mere” means “more” in “mere rimelig”. It increases the degree of the following description, so “mere rimelig” means “more reasonable”. Reuse it before an adjective when comparing two options or approaches.

rimelig “Rimelig” means “reasonable” in “mere rimelig”. It describes the friendly reminder as a sensible first approach; use it when evaluating an action, request, or solution as fair or sensible.

i In “i starten”, “i” means “at” or “in” as part of the expression referring to the beginning. Reuse the complete pattern “i starten” when describing what happens at first.

starten “Starten” means “the beginning” in “i starten”. The phrase “i starten” means “at first” or “in the beginning”; use it to mark the early stage of a process or interaction.

kan “Kan” means “can” in “kan vi foreslå”. It presents the suggestion as something the speakers are able to make; reuse “kan vi + action?” or “vi kan + action” when discussing possible actions.

foreslå “Foreslå” means “suggest” in “foreslå, at de bruger hovedtelefoner”. The pattern “foreslå, at + clause” introduces the idea being proposed; use it when offering a practical option to another person.

bruger “Bruger” means “use” in “de bruger hovedtelefoner”. It describes the neighbors using headphones as a way to reduce the noise; reuse it with the thing being used, such as “bruger en app” in a new example.

hovedtelefoner “Hovedtelefoner” means “headphones” in “bruger hovedtelefoner”. It names the device suggested for listening more quietly; use it as the object after verbs such as “bruger” or “tage på” in a new example.

senere “Senere” means “later” in “senere på aftenen”. It moves the action to a later time in the evening; use it when suggesting that something happen after the current or earlier point.

aftenen “Aftenen” means “the evening” in “senere på aftenen”. It refers to the specific evening period being discussed; reuse “på aftenen” with a time expression when locating an event in the evening.

når “Når” means “when” in “når vi skal på arbejde næste dag”. It introduces the time or situation connected to the suggestion; reuse “når + clause” when explaining when something happens or matters.

arbejde “Arbejde” means “work” in “skal på arbejde”. It names the activity or obligation the speakers have the next day; keep it in the expression “på arbejde” when talking about going to work.

næste “Næste” means “next” in “næste dag”. It identifies the day following the evening being discussed; use it before a time noun such as “næste dag” when referring to the following day.

dag “Dag” means “day” in “næste dag”. It names the time period after the current evening; use it with expressions such as “næste dag” when referring to the following day.

ville “Ville” contributes “would” in “ville være et praktisk kompromis”. It presents the compromise as a possible or hypothetical result; reuse “ville + infinitive” when describing what something would be.

være “Være” means “be” in “ville være et praktisk kompromis”. It links the possible suggestion to its description as a compromise; reuse it after “ville” to describe a possible state or identity.

et “Et” is the indefinite article in “et praktisk kompromis” and “Et roligt tidspunkt”. It introduces one unspecified noun of the relevant type; its sentence-initial form also appears as “Et” in the dialogue.

praktisk “Praktisk” means “practical” in “et praktisk kompromis”. It describes the compromise as workable in the situation; use it before a noun when evaluating a solution as useful or workable.

kompromis “Kompromis” means “compromise” in “et praktisk kompromis”. It names an arrangement intended to accommodate both sides; use it when people agree on a middle-ground solution.

beskylder “Beskylder” means “accuses” in “beskylder dem ikke direkte”. It describes directly assigning blame to the neighbors; use “beskylde + person” when saying that someone accuses another person.

direkte “Direkte” means “directly” in “beskylder dem ikke direkte”. It describes the manner of accusing the neighbors; use it after an action when explaining that something is done openly or without an indirect approach.

vælge “Vælge” means “choose” in “vælge et roligt tidspunkt”. It names the action of selecting a suitable time; reuse “vælge + noun” when deciding between possible times, options, or objects.

roligt “Roligt” means “calm” in “et roligt tidspunkt”. It describes the time as suitable for a peaceful conversation; use it before a noun when characterizing a situation as calm.

tidspunkt “Tidspunkt” means “time” or “moment” in “et roligt tidspunkt”. It refers to a particular point chosen for the conversation; use it when selecting or discussing the timing of an event.

aften “Aften” means “evening” in “i aften”. The expression “i aften” means “this evening” and is used to place an action on the current evening.

samtalen “Samtalen” means “the conversation” in “tidspunkt for samtalen”. It refers to the specific conversation with the neighbors; use the definite form when both speakers know which conversation is meant.

forhindrer “Forhindrer” means “prevents” in “forhindrer ... at et lille problem bliver personligt”. It describes stopping an unwanted development before it happens; reuse “forhindre + event” when explaining what an action keeps from occurring.

som In “som regel”, “som” is part of the expression meaning “usually”. Keep it with “regel” in the fixed pattern “som regel” when describing what generally happens.

regel In “som regel”, “regel” contributes to the expression meaning “usually”, not a literal rule in this sentence. Use the complete expression “som regel” to say that something normally happens.

lille “Lille” means “small” in “et lille problem”. It describes the problem as limited in size or seriousness; use it before a singular noun when characterizing something as small.

problem “Problem” means “problem” in “et lille problem”. It names the noise-related difficulty that could become personal; use it for a difficulty or issue that needs attention.

personligt “Personligt” means “personal” in “bliver personligt”. It describes the problem changing from a practical issue into something affecting the relationship between the people; use it when an issue becomes connected to someone personally.

Grammar Points

større + substantiv

En større konflikt lyder dramatisk.

En STUR-uh kon-FLEGD LOO-uh drah-MAE-disg.

A bigger conflict sounds dramatic.

større is the comparative form of stor and means “bigger”; it usually comes before the noun.

Adjektiv med -t som adverbium

Musikken lyder højt.

MOOS-guh LOO-uh HOYD.

The music sounds loud.

højt is the -t form of høj, used here after lyde to describe how the music sounds.

Danish Vocabulary

dramatisk adj

drah-MAE-disg dramatic

før conj

BUHR before

før det bliver en større konflikt

holde verb

HULL-uh to keep; to hold holdt

har holdt mig vågen

konflikt noun

kon-FLEGD conflict

Gender: common

lyde verb

LOO-uh to sound; to seem

lyde dramatisk

musik noun

MOOS-g music musikken

Gender: common

Musikken ved siden af

nat noun

NAD night nætter

Gender: common

flere nætter

på det seneste phrase

poh deh SAY-nuh-stuh lately; recently

stor adj

STOHR big; large større

en større konflikt

tale verb

TAE-luh to talk; to speak

tale med dem

ved siden af phrase

veh SEE-uh eh next door; beside

Musikken ved siden af

vågen adj

VOH-en awake

holdt mig vågen

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to talk; to speak

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tale

big; large

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større

music

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musikken

to keep; to hold

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holdt