Getting help with a hotel room heating problem | Learn Danish in English

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Use Getting help with a hotel room heating problem to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Jeg ringer fra mit værelse, fordi varmen ikke virker.

yai REHNG-uh frah mit VEH-ruhls-uh, for-THEE VAHR-mun EG-uh VEHR-guh. I am calling from my room because the heating is not working.

Det beklager jeg. Har værelset været koldt, siden du ankom?

deh beh-KLAY-uh yai. hah VEH-ruhls-uhd VAY-uhd kohlt, SEE-dun doo ahn-KOHM? I am sorry about that. Has the room been cold since you arrived?

Det har været koldt, siden jeg tjekkede ind i eftermiddag.

deh hah VAY-uhd kohlt, SEE-dun yai CHEG-uh-theh een ees ahf-tuh-MEE-dahg. It has been cold since I checked in this afternoon.

Jeg kan sende en medarbejder fra vedligeholdelsen op for at undersøge det med det samme.

yai kan SEN-uh en meh-DAH-bai-thuh frah veh-LEE-uh-HOL-sun ohp for ahd oon-uh-SUR-uh deh mehth deh SAH-muh. I can send maintenance to inspect it right away.

Hvis det ikke kan repareres i aften, er der så et andet værelse ledigt?

vees deh EG-uh kan reh-pah-REH-uhs ee AF-dun, air dair soh ed AHN-dud VEH-ruhls-uh LAY-thee? If it cannot be fixed tonight, is another room available?

Jeg tjekker, hvilke værelser der er ledige, og reserverer et lignende værelse, hvis vi har et.

yai CHEK-uh, vee-luh VEH-ruhls-uh air LAY-thee, oh reh-sehr-VEH-uh ed LEE-nuh-duh VEH-ruhls-uh, vees vee hah ed. I will check availability and hold a similar room if we have one.

Jeg har ikke brug for en opgradering, bare et varmt værelse at sove i.

yai hah EG-uh broo for en ohp-greh-THEH-ring, bah-ruh ed vahmt VEH-ruhls-uh ahd SOH-vuh ee. I do not need an upgrade, just a warm room for sleeping.

Vi prøver først at reparere det og holder et andet værelse klar, hvis det bliver nødvendigt.

vee PRUH-vuh furst ahd reh-pah-REH-uh deh oh HOL-uh ed AHN-dud VEH-ruhls-uh klah, vees deh BLEE-vuh nur-ven-THEE. We will try the repair first and keep another room ready if needed.

Ring venligst, før medarbejderen fra vedligeholdelsen kommer op.

REHNG VEN-ligst, fur meh-DAH-bai-thuh frah veh-LEE-uh-HOL-sun KOM-uh ohp. Please call before maintenance comes up.

Jeg ringer til dig, før medarbejderen kommer op, og igen når jeg har en opdatering.

yai REHNG-uh til dai, fur meh-DAH-bai-thun KOM-uh ohp, oh EE-gen nohr yai hah en ohp-dah-TEH-ring. I will call you before they come up and again when I have an update.

Word by Word

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” in this dialogue, identifying the person who is calling or speaking. It appears as “Jeg” at the beginning of a sentence and as “jeg” after another clause; use it before the verb when saying what you do or experience.

ringer “ringer” means “am calling” in “Jeg ringer fra mit værelse.” It describes making the phone call from the room. Use it with a place or person after it, such as “ringer fra” a location or “ringer til” someone.

fra “fra” means “from” in “fra mit værelse,” showing the place where the call originates. It is commonly followed by a place or person, as in this location phrase.

mit “mit” means “my” before “værelse” in “mit værelse.” It marks the room as belonging to or being assigned to the speaker. Reuse it before a matching neuter noun when referring to something connected with yourself.

værelse “værelse” means “room” in “mit værelse,” the hotel room from which the guest is calling. It is useful in hotel situations with ownership or location phrases such as “mit værelse” and “på værelset”.

fordi “fordi” means “because” and introduces the reason for the call: “fordi varmen ikke virker.” Use it to connect a statement with its reason, usually followed by a complete clause.

varmen “varmen” means “the heating” in “varmen ikke virker.” The form refers to the heating as the specific system causing the room problem. Use it when explaining that the heating works or does not work.

ikke “ikke” means “not” in “ikke virker,” making the statement negative. It is placed with the verb phrase to say that the heating is not functioning. Reuse it to negate a statement or request.

virker “virker” means “works” or “functions” in “varmen ikke virker,” describing whether the heating operates. It is useful for reporting that a device, service, or system is functioning or not functioning.

Det “Det” means “it” in “Det beklager jeg,” referring to the problem just mentioned. The same form also appears as “det” elsewhere in the dialogue, including “reparere det.” Use it to refer back to a situation or thing already understood.

beklager “beklager” expresses “am sorry” in “Det beklager jeg,” a polite apology from the front desk. It is used when acknowledging that a problem has affected someone. In a service interaction, it can introduce an apology before offering help.

Har “Har” means “has” in the question “Har værelset været koldt?” and helps ask about the room’s condition up to now. It appears with “været” in a question about an ongoing past situation. Reuse the question pattern “Har ... været ...?” when checking how long a condition has existed.

værelset “værelset” means “the room” in “Har værelset været koldt?” The ending marks the specific room being discussed, rather than an unspecified room. Use it when referring to a known hotel room.

været “været” means “been” in “været koldt,” describing the room’s condition over a period of time. Here it follows “har” and links the room with the adjective “koldt.” Reuse it to describe a condition that has continued up to a reference point.

koldt “koldt” means “cold” in “værelset været koldt” and “været koldt,” describing the room’s temperature. It explains the guest’s problem rather than a person’s feeling. Use it after a form of “været” when describing a cold place or thing.

siden “siden” means “since” in “siden du ankom,” marking the point from which the room has been cold. It introduces the event that began the relevant period. Reuse it before a time or clause to say when a condition started.

du “du” means “you” in “du ankom,” referring to the guest who arrived. It is the person whose arrival marks the starting point of the room’s condition. Use it as the subject when speaking directly to one person.

ankom “ankom” means “arrived” in “siden du ankom,” referring to the guest’s arrival at the hotel. It is used after “siden” to identify when the cold condition began. This is useful in service conversations about what has happened since someone arrived.

tjekkede ind “tjekkede ind” means “checked in” in “siden jeg tjekkede ind i eftermiddag.” Together, “tjekkede” contributes the completed checking action and “ind” completes the check-in expression; do not treat “ind” here as a separate direction. Reuse the whole expression when describing hotel arrival or registration.

i “i” means “in” in “i eftermiddag,” locating the check-in within the afternoon. It also appears in “sove i,” where it is part of the phrase about sleeping in a room. Its meaning depends on the time or place expression that follows it.

eftermiddag “eftermiddag” means “afternoon” in “i eftermiddag,” specifying when the guest checked in. It is used with a time phrase to place an event during the afternoon. This is useful when giving the hotel staff a precise arrival time.

kan “kan” means “can” in “Jeg kan sende,” expressing the staff member’s ability or offer to send someone. It is followed by “sende,” the action being offered. Reuse it before another verb when offering what you are able or willing to do.

sende “sende” means “send” in “kan sende en medarbejder,” describing the front desk sending a staff member to the room. It follows “kan” in this sentence. Use it with a person or service that is being sent somewhere.

en “en” means “a” in “en medarbejder,” introducing one unspecified staff member. It appears before the noun it determines. Reuse it before a corresponding singular noun when introducing one person or thing.

medarbejder “medarbejder” means “staff member” or “employee” in “en medarbejder fra vedligeholdelsen.” It identifies the person the front desk will send to inspect the heating. Use it with a department or workplace role when referring to an employee.

vedligeholdelsen “vedligeholdelsen” means “the maintenance” or “the maintenance department” in “en medarbejder fra vedligeholdelsen.” It identifies the area responsible for dealing with the heating problem. Use it after “fra” when identifying the department a staff member comes from.

op “op” means “up” in “sende ... op” and “kommer op,” indicating movement up to the guest’s room. Here it helps describe the staff member coming upstairs or up to the room. Use it with movement verbs when someone goes up to a higher location.

for “for” means “for” in “for at undersøge det,” introducing the purpose of sending the maintenance worker. It is followed by “at undersøge,” so the whole phrase explains why the worker is sent. Reuse “for at” before an action to state a purpose.

at “at” is the infinitive marker in “at undersøge det,” introducing the action the maintenance worker is sent to perform. It follows “for” in the purpose phrase “for at undersøge det.” Reuse it before a verb when forming this type of purpose expression.

undersøge “undersøge” means “inspect” or “examine” in “for at undersøge det,” referring to checking what is wrong with the heating. It follows “at” because it states the purpose of the visit. Use it when a worker examines a problem, object, or situation.

med det samme “med det samme” means “immediately” or “right away” in “undersøge det med det samme.” As a whole, the expression says the inspection will happen without delay; “med,” “det,” and “samme” form this fixed time expression together. Use it to emphasize that an action should happen now or very soon.

Hvis “Hvis” means “if” in “Hvis det ikke kan repareres i aften,” introducing a possible condition. It sets up what will happen if the heating cannot be fixed. Reuse it at the start of a conditional clause before the situation being considered.

repareres “repareres” means “be repaired” or “be fixed” in “det ikke kan repareres.” The form focuses on the heating being repaired, without naming the person who will do it. Use it when discussing whether a fault or object can be fixed.

aften “aften” means “evening” in “i aften,” setting the deadline for the possible repair. It is part of the time expression for tonight. Use it with a time preposition when referring to the evening period.

er “er” means “is” in “er der så et andet værelse ledigt?” and “are” in “værelser der er ledige.” Its exact English meaning depends on whether it links one room or several rooms with their availability. Use it to state or ask about a condition such as availability.

der “der” helps introduce existence in “er der så et andet værelse ledigt?” and corresponds here to “there” in an availability question. It presents the possibility of another room being available. Reuse the pattern “er der ...?” when asking whether something exists or is available.

så “så” means “then” in “Hvis ..., er der så ...?”, linking the condition to the resulting question. It helps frame what would be true in that situation. Use it in conditional questions when asking what follows if something happens.

et “et” means “a” in “et andet værelse,” introducing one other room. It appears before the noun phrase and agrees with the form used for “værelse.” Reuse it before a singular noun in the same type of phrase.

andet “andet” means “another” or “other” in “et andet værelse,” referring to a room different from the guest’s current one. It modifies “værelse” and keeps the request focused on an alternative room. Use it before a noun when asking for a different option.

ledigt “ledigt” means “available” or “vacant” in “et andet værelse ledigt,” asking whether another room can be used. It describes the room’s availability in the question. Use it with a room or other option that may be free for use.

tjekker “tjekker” means “check” in “Jeg tjekker, hvilke værelser der er ledige,” describing the staff member’s action of checking availability. It is followed by information about which rooms are free. Reuse it when verifying availability, details, or a situation.

hvilke “hvilke” means “which” in “hvilke værelser der er ledige,” asking the staff member to identify the available rooms. It introduces the specific items being checked. Use it before a plural noun when selecting from several possibilities.

værelser “værelser” means “rooms” in “hvilke værelser der er ledige,” referring to several hotel rooms. It is the plural form used while checking the available options. Use it when discussing more than one room.

ledige “ledige” means “available” or “vacant” in “værelser der er ledige,” describing which rooms can be offered. It modifies the plural “værelser” in the availability check. Use it when several rooms or options may be free.

og “og” means “and” in “tjekker ... og reserverer,” connecting two actions the staff member will take. It shows that checking availability and reserving a room belong to the same response. Use it to join related actions or pieces of information.

reserverer “reserverer” means “reserve” or “hold” in “reserverer et lignende værelse,” describing keeping a room for the guest if one is available. It takes the room as its object. Reuse it when arranging for a room, seat, or other option to be kept for someone.

lignende “lignende” means “similar” in “et lignende værelse,” promising an alternative room of a comparable kind. It modifies the room being reserved. Use it before a noun when offering an option that resembles the original.

vi “vi” means “we” in “hvis vi har et,” referring to the hotel staff or hotel as the group that may have a room. It is the subject of the availability condition. Use it when speaking for yourself together with colleagues or an organization.

brug for “brug for” means “need” in “Jeg har ikke brug for en opgradering.” The whole expression states that the speaker does not require an upgrade; “brug” and “for” work together rather than being translated separately. Reuse it with “have” and the needed thing, as in “have brug for” something.

opgradering “opgradering” means “upgrade” in “en opgradering,” referring to a better or higher room category. The guest says this is not what they require. Use it in hotel conversations when discussing a move to a higher level of service or accommodation.

bare “bare” means “just” in “bare et varmt værelse,” narrowing the request to the basic thing the guest needs. It contrasts the unnecessary upgrade with the practical request for warmth. Use it before the requested item when emphasizing that nothing more is needed.

varmt “varmt” means “warm” in “et varmt værelse,” describing the room the guest wants for sleeping. It identifies the required condition of the alternative room. Use it before a room or other thing when describing warmth.

sove “sove” means “sleep” in “at sove i,” stating the purpose of having a warm room. It follows “at” in the phrase “at sove i.” Use it when explaining that a place is intended for sleeping.

prøver “prøver” means “try” in “Vi prøver først at reparere det,” describing the hotel’s first attempt to solve the problem. It is followed by “at reparere det,” which gives the action being attempted. Reuse it before “at” and a verb when trying to do something.

først “først” means “first” in “prøver først,” showing the order of the hotel’s response. The repair will be attempted before another room is used. Use it to mark the first step in a sequence.

reparere “reparere” means “repair” or “fix” in “at reparere det,” referring to fixing the heating problem. It follows “at” after “prøver.” Use it with the thing being fixed, as in this phrase with “det.”

holder “holder” means “keep” or “hold” in “holder et andet værelse klar,” describing keeping another room prepared as a backup. It takes the room as its object and “klar” describes its state. Reuse it when keeping something ready for a possible need.

klar “klar” means “ready” in “et andet værelse klar,” describing the backup room’s prepared state. The hotel keeps the room ready in case the repair is unsuccessful or more help is needed. Use it after a noun or with a verb such as “holde” to describe readiness.

bliver “bliver” means “becomes” or “gets” in “hvis det bliver nødvendigt,” introducing the possibility that something becomes necessary. It describes a change in the situation rather than naming the action itself. Reuse it with an adjective when describing something becoming a certain way.

nødvendigt “nødvendigt” means “necessary” or “needed” in “hvis det bliver nødvendigt.” It describes the possible need to use the prepared room. Use it after “bliver” when saying that an action or arrangement may become necessary.

Ring “Ring” means “call” in the polite request “Ring venligst,” asking the front desk to make a phone call. The form is used as a direct request to one person. Reuse it with “til” and the person who should be called.

venligst “venligst” means “please” in “Ring venligst,” making the request polite. It appears with the requested action rather than naming a separate object. Use it in polite instructions or requests, especially in service situations.

før “før” means “before” in “før medarbejderen ... kommer op,” setting the time of the call before the maintenance worker arrives. It introduces the event that must happen later. Reuse it before a time expression or clause to order two events.

medarbejderen “medarbejderen” means “the staff member” or “the employee” in “før medarbejderen kommer op.” It refers to the specific maintenance worker already mentioned. The form identifies one known staff member rather than introducing a new one. Use it when referring back to a particular employee.

kommer “kommer” means “comes” in “medarbejderen kommer op,” describing the maintenance worker’s arrival at the room. Together with “op,” it indicates coming upstairs or up to the guest. Use it to describe someone arriving, often with a destination or direction.

til “til” means “to” in “Jeg ringer til dig,” marking the person who receives the call. It connects the calling action with the person being contacted. Reuse it after “ringer” when saying whom you call.

dig “dig” means “you” in “Jeg ringer til dig,” referring to the guest receiving the call. It follows “til” as the person contacted. Use it when addressing one person as the recipient of an action.

igen “igen” means “again” in “og igen når jeg har en opdatering,” promising a second call when there is new information. It shows that the action will be repeated. Use it to say that something happens another time.

når “når” means “when” in “når jeg har en opdatering,” introducing the time or condition for the second call. It connects the future call with receiving new information. Reuse it before a clause to say when an event will happen.

opdatering “opdatering” means “update” in “når jeg har en opdatering,” referring to new information about the heating or room arrangement. It is something the staff member may have and then communicate to the guest. Use it in service conversations when reporting new information about an ongoing issue.

Grammar Points

-s-passiv: repareres

varmen repareres med det samme

VAHR-mun reh-pah-REH-uhs mehth deh SAH-muh

the heating is repaired right away

The -s ending in repareres marks the passive: varmen receives the action.

Neuter adjective ending: koldt, varmt, ledigt, nødvendigt

koldt værelse

kohlt VEH-ruhls-uh

cold room

Adjectives describing a neuter noun such as værelse usually end in -t.

Danish Vocabulary

ankom verb

ahn-KOHM arrived

beklager verb

beh-KLAY-uh am sorry; regret

eftermiddag noun

ahf-tuh-MEE-dahg afternoon

Gender: common

koldt adj

kohlt cold

Gender: neuter

medarbejder noun

meh-DAH-bai-thuh employee; staff member

Gender: common

ringer verb

REHNG-uh call

sende verb

SEN-uh send

tjekkede ind phrase

CHEG-uh-theh een checked in

varmen noun

VAHR-mun the heating

Gender: common

vedligeholdelsen noun

veh-LEE-uh-HOL-sun the maintenance department; maintenance

Gender: common

virker verb

VEHR-guh works

værelse noun

VEH-ruhls-uh room

Gender: neuter

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

cold

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koldt

room

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værelse

am sorry; regret

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beklager

call

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ringer