About This Lesson
Use Asking for clearer feedback on a proposal to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
Feedbacken siger, at forslaget skal være stærkere, men det virker uklart.
FEE-bek-uhn SEE-uh, ad foh-SLAY-uh skal VAI-uh STAIR-kuh-uh, men deh VEER-guh OO-klahrt. The feedback says the proposal should be stronger, but that feels vague.
B
Spørg, hvilken del der skal revideres: dokumentationen, tonen eller strukturen.
SPUR, VEL-ken DEHL dair skal reh-vee-DEH-rus: doh-koo-men-TAY-shoh-nuhn, TOH-nuhn EL-uh STROOK-too-ruhn. Ask which part needs revision: the evidence, tone, or structure.
A
Jeg tror, at indledningen måske ikke forklarer problemet tydeligt nok.
YAI TROHR, uh EN-layth-ning-uhn MOH-skeh EG-uh foh-KLAIR-uh proh-BLAY-muhd TOO-theh-lee NOHK. I think the introduction may not explain the problem clearly enough.
B
Så bed om et konkret eksempel på, hvad de gerne vil have ændret.
SOH BEH ohm ed kon-KRAYD ex-SEM-puhl poh, VEH dee YAIR-nuh veel HAI-vuh EN-drahd. Then ask for a specific example of what they want changed.
A
Ville det lyde defensivt?
VEL-uh deh LOO-thuh deh-fen-SEEVD? Would that sound defensive?
B
Ikke hvis du siger, at du gerne vil leve op til deres forventninger.
EG-uh ves doo SEE-uh, ad doo YAIR-nuh veel LAY-vuh ohb teel DAIR-us foh-VEN-tning-uh. Not if you say you want to match their expectations.
A
Jeg kan spørge, om de vil have flere data eller en mere selvsikker tone.
YAI kan SPUR-yuh, ohm dee veel HAI-vuh FLAY-ruh DAY-tuh EL-uh en MAIR-uh SELV-seh-guh TOH-nuh. I can ask whether they want more data or a more confident tone.
B
Det giver dem to klare retninger at vælge imellem.
Deh GEE-vuh dem toh KLAIR-uh RED-ning-uh uh VEL-yuh ee-MEL-uhm. That gives them two clear directions to choose from.
A
Når jeg kender retningen, kan jeg hurtigt revidere forslaget.
NOHR YAI KEN-uh RED-ning-uhn, kan YAI HOHR-dee reh-vee-DEH-ruh foh-SLAY-yuh. Once I know the direction, I can revise it quickly.
B
Klar vejledning kan spare os for unødvendige omskrivninger.
KLAHR VAI-LAYTH-ning kan SPAIR ohs foh oo-NURTH-ven-dee OHM-SGREEV-ning-uh. Clear guidance can save unnecessary rewriting.Word by Word
Feedbacken
In this dialogue, “Feedbacken” means the specific feedback being discussed. It is the definite form of the noun feedback; use it when referring to particular feedback in a work discussion.
siger
In “Feedbacken siger”, “siger” means says and presents the feedback as stating something. It is the present form of sige; use it with a source followed by what is said.
at
In “siger, at forslaget skal være stærkere”, “at” introduces the content of what is said. The same form introduces infinitives in “at vælge” and “at revidere”; use it after a reporting verb or before an infinitive.
forslaget
In “forslaget skal være stærkere”, “forslaget” means the particular proposal under discussion. It is the definite form of forslag; use it when referring to a specific proposal.
skal
In “skal være stærkere”, “skal” expresses an expectation or requirement that the proposal be stronger. Use it before a verb to state what is expected or required.
være
In “skal være stærkere”, “være” means be and describes the proposal’s desired quality. It follows “skal”; use it after a modal verb to express a state or condition.
stærkere
In “skal være stærkere”, “stærkere” means stronger and describes the desired improvement to the proposal. It is the comparative form related to stærk; use it after a form of be when describing a higher degree of a quality.
men
In “men det virker uklart”, “men” introduces a contrast with the preceding statement. Use it to connect an expectation with a different reaction, result, or qualification.
det
In “det virker uklart”, “det” refers to the feedback or situation and means it or that. The same form appears as “Det” at the start of “Det giver dem ...”; use it as a neutral pronoun for a thing, fact, or situation.
virker
In “det virker uklart”, “virker” means seems or appears rather than states something as certain. It is the present form of virke; use it before a description to say how something comes across.
uklart
In “virker uklart”, “uklart” means unclear and describes the impression created by the feedback. It is the form related to uklar used with the neutral pronoun “det”; use it after “virker” to characterize an impression.
Spørg
In “Spørg, hvilken del der skal revideres”, “Spørg” means ask and gives direct advice. It is the imperative form related to spørge; use it at the start of an instruction when telling someone to ask a question.
hvilken
In “hvilken del”, “hvilken” asks the listener to identify one part from several possibilities. It comes before the singular noun “del”; use it when selecting a particular option.
del
In “hvilken del der skal revideres”, “del” means a part or component of the proposal. It names one section among the evidence, tone, and structure; use it when discussing one component of a larger whole.
der
In “del der skal revideres”, “der” links “del” to the information describing which part needs revision. It introduces a relative clause; use it after a noun when adding identifying information.
revideres
In “skal revideres”, “revideres” means needs to be revised and presents the part as receiving the revision. It is the passive form related to revidere; use it after “skal” when stating what needs to be revised.
dokumentationen
In “dokumentationen, tonen eller strukturen”, “dokumentationen” means the specific evidence or documentation being considered. It is the definite form of dokumentation; use it when discussing supporting material for a particular proposal.
tonen
In “dokumentationen, tonen eller strukturen”, “tonen” means the tone of the proposal. It is the definite form of tone; use it when discussing the style or impression created by a text.
eller
In the list “dokumentationen, tonen eller strukturen”, “eller” means or and joins alternatives. Use it between options when more than one possible choice is being considered.
strukturen
In “dokumentationen, tonen eller strukturen”, “strukturen” means the structure of the proposal. It is the definite form of struktur; use it when discussing how a text or argument is organized.
Jeg
In “Jeg tror”, “Jeg” means I and identifies the speaker. It is capitalized because it begins the sentence; use it as the subject before a verb when expressing your own view or action.
tror
In “Jeg tror, at ...”, “tror” means think or believe and introduces the speaker’s personal assessment. It is the present form of tro; use it before a statement introduced by “at” when expressing an opinion.
indledningen
In “indledningen måske ikke forklarer problemet”, “indledningen” means the introduction of the proposal. It is the definite form of indledning; use it when referring to the particular opening section of a text.
måske
In “måske ikke forklarer”, “måske” means maybe and makes the assessment tentative. Use it when suggesting a possible explanation without presenting it as certain.
ikke
In “måske ikke forklarer”, “ikke” negates the idea that the introduction explains the problem clearly. The same form appears as “Ikke” at the start of “Ikke hvis ...”; use it to make a statement negative or to give a short negative reply.
forklarer
In “ikke forklarer problemet”, “forklarer” means explains and describes what the introduction does. It is the present form of forklare; use it with a subject and the thing being explained.
problemet
In “forklarer problemet”, “problemet” means the particular problem addressed by the proposal. It is the definite form of problem; use it when referring to a specific issue.
tydeligt
In “forklarer problemet tydeligt nok”, “tydeligt” means clearly and describes how the problem is explained. It is related to tydelig; use it to describe the manner in which an action is performed.
nok
In “tydeligt nok”, “nok” means enough and sets the required degree of clarity. It follows the adverb it qualifies; use it to say that something reaches a sufficient level.
Så
In “Så bed om et konkret eksempel”, “Så” means then and presents the next step in the advice. Use it to connect a conclusion or previous observation with a resulting action.
bed
In “bed om et konkret eksempel”, “bed” means ask or request. It is the imperative form related to bede; use it in the construction “bed om” when telling someone to request something.
om
In “bed om et konkret eksempel”, “om” introduces the thing being requested. In “om de vil have ændret”, the same form introduces an indirect yes-or-no question; use it according to whether it follows “bed” or introduces a question.
et
In “et konkret eksempel”, “et” marks one non-specific item before the neuter noun “eksempel”. Use it before a singular neuter noun.
konkret
In “et konkret eksempel”, “konkret” means specific or concrete and makes the requested example precise. It describes “eksempel”; use it when asking for something particular rather than vague.
eksempel
In “et konkret eksempel”, “eksempel” means example. It is the item being requested; use it with “på” when specifying what the example concerns.
på
In “eksempel på, hvad de gerne vil have ændret”, “på” links the example to the thing it concerns. Use it in the pattern “eksempel på” when identifying what an example illustrates.
hvad
In “hvad de gerne vil have ændret”, “hvad” means what and introduces the thing they want changed. Use it to refer to unspecified content in an embedded question or clause.
de
In “de gerne vil have ændret”, “de” means they and refers to the people giving the feedback. Use it as the subject before the verb when referring to those people.
gerne
In “gerne vil have ændret”, “gerne” contributes the meaning would like to or willingly. Together with “vil”, it expresses a desired action; use it to make a preference or request sound less blunt.
vil
In “de gerne vil have ændret”, “vil” expresses what they want. It is followed by “have” in this construction; use it before a verb or verb phrase to state a desired action or result.
have
In “vil have ændret”, “have” is part of the construction describing what they want to have changed. It follows “vil” and comes before “ændret”; use it in a phrase about obtaining or causing a desired result.
ændret
In “have ændret”, “ændret” means changed and identifies the result they want. It is related to ændre; use it after “have” when referring to something that is to be changed.
Ville
In “Ville det lyde defensivt?”, “Ville” makes the question tentative and means would. It is related to “vil”; use it with a subject and an infinitive when asking how a possible wording or action would come across.
lyde
In “Ville det lyde defensivt?”, “lyde” means sound and asks about the impression the wording would give. It follows “Ville”; use it to describe how a statement, action, or tone comes across.
defensivt
In “lyde defensivt”, “defensivt” means defensive and describes the possible impression of the question. It follows “lyde”; use it to characterize how someone’s wording may be perceived.
hvis
In “Ikke hvis du siger ...”, “hvis” means if and introduces the condition for the negative answer. Use it before a clause that explains when a result or judgment applies.
du
In “hvis du siger”, “du” means you and refers to the colleague receiving the advice. Use it as the subject before the verb when addressing one person.
leve op til
In “leve op til deres forventninger”, the whole expression means meet or live up to their expectations. “leve” contributes the verb, while “op” and “til” complete the fixed expression that points toward a standard; use the full expression with an expectation or other standard. It is useful when explaining that work or behavior satisfies what others expect.
deres
In “deres forventninger”, “deres” means their and shows that the expectations belong to the people giving feedback. It comes before the noun; use it to identify the people associated with something.
forventninger
In “leve op til deres forventninger”, “forventninger” means expectations or standards. It follows “deres” and names what the proposal should satisfy; use it when discussing what others hope or require.
kan
In “Jeg kan spørge”, “kan” means can and expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility to ask. It is followed by the infinitive “spørge”; use it to state what someone is able or permitted to do.
spørge
In “kan spørge”, “spørge” means ask and names the action the speaker can take. It is the infinitive related to “Spørg”; use it after a modal verb such as “kan”.
flere
In “flere data”, “flere” means more or additional and refers to a larger quantity of data. It comes before the plural noun; use it when requesting or describing an increased amount.
data
In “flere data”, “data” means data or information relevant to the proposal. It follows “flere”; use it when discussing information used to support analysis or an argument.
en
In “en mere selvsikker tone”, “en” marks one non-specific item before the common-gender noun “tone”. Use it before a singular common-gender noun.
mere
In “en mere selvsikker tone”, “mere” means more and increases the degree of confidence described. It comes before the adjective “selvsikker”; use it to compare or request a higher degree of a quality.
selvsikker
In “en mere selvsikker tone”, “selvsikker” means confident and describes the desired tone. It is modified by “mere”; use it when describing wording or behavior that sounds self-assured.
giver
In “Det giver dem to klare retninger”, “giver” means gives and says that the proposed question provides the reviewers with options. It is the present form of give; use it with a recipient and something provided.
dem
In “giver dem to klare retninger”, “dem” means them and refers to the people who will give feedback. It follows “giver” as the recipient; use it after verbs of giving, showing, or providing.
klare
In “to klare retninger”, “klare” means clear and describes the two options as easy to distinguish. It is the plural form related to klar; use it before a plural noun.
retninger
In “to klare retninger at vælge imellem”, “retninger” means directions or possible approaches. It names the alternatives the reviewers can choose between; use it for different paths or approaches in a task.
vælge
In “at vælge imellem”, “vælge” means choose and names the action of selecting an option. It follows “at”; use it after “at” or a modal verb when describing a choice.
imellem
In “vælge imellem”, “imellem” means between or among and completes the expression about selecting from alternatives. Use it after “vælge” when the available options are being identified.
Når
In “Når jeg kender retningen”, “Når” means once or when and introduces the time or condition for the next action. Use it at the start of a clause before the subject and verb when linking one situation to another.
kender
In “jeg kender retningen”, “kender” means know the direction. It is the present form of kende; use it with the person, thing, or situation that is known.
retningen
In “kender retningen”, “retningen” means the particular direction or approach. It is the definite form of retning and is the thing known; use it when referring to a specific path or choice.
hurtigt
In “hurtigt revidere forslaget”, “hurtigt” means quickly and describes the speed of the revision. Use it to explain how rapidly an action is carried out, often near the verb.
revidere
In “revidere forslaget”, “revidere” means revise and names the action the speaker can perform. It follows “kan” in the full sentence and takes “forslaget” as its object; use it when improving or changing a draft.
spare
In “spare os for unødvendige omskrivninger”, “spare” means save or spare. It is the verb in the construction “spare os for”, where “os” is the group spared and “for” introduces the unwanted work; use the construction when something prevents avoidable effort.
os
In “spare os for”, “os” means us and refers to the speaker and colleague together. It is the people who benefit from avoiding the rewriting; use it after a verb when the speaker’s group is affected.
for
In “spare os for unødvendige omskrivninger”, “for” marks what the group is spared from. Use it in the construction “spare ... for” before an unwanted task or consequence.
unødvendige
In “unødvendige omskrivninger”, “unødvendige” means unnecessary and says that the rewrites are not needed. It is the plural form related to unødvendig and comes before the plural noun; use it to reject avoidable work.
omskrivninger
In “unødvendige omskrivninger”, “omskrivninger” means rewritings or instances of rewriting. It is the plural form of omskrivning; use it when referring to work involved in rewriting text.
Grammar Points
bed om + substantiv
Bed om konkret vejledning.
BEH ohm kon-KRAYD VAI-LAYTH-ning.Ask for specific guidance.
Bed om is a fixed expression meaning “ask for”; the requested thing follows om.
Bestemt form: substantiv + -en/-et
Feedbacken ændrer forslaget.
FEE-bek-uhn EN-druh foh-SLAY-yuh.The feedback changes the proposal.
Danish often marks “the” with a suffix: feedbacken uses -en, while forslaget uses -et.
Danish Vocabulary
del
noun
DEHL
part
- Gender
- common
dokumentation
noun
doh-koo-men-TAY-shohn
evidence
dokumentationen
- Gender
- common
feedback
noun
FEE-bek
feedback
feedbacken
- Gender
- common
forslag
noun
FOH-slay
proposal
forslaget
- Gender
- neuter
hvilken
det
VEL-ken
which
indledning
noun
EN-layth-ning
introduction
indledningen
- Gender
- common
revidere
verb
reh-vee-DEH-ruh
revise
revideres
spørge
verb
SPUR-yuh
ask
Spørg
struktur
noun
STROOK-toor
structure
strukturen
- Gender
- common
stærk
adj
STAIRK
strong
stærkere
tone
noun
TOH-nuh
tone
tonen
- Gender
- common
uklar
adj
OO-klahr
unclear
uklart
- Gender
- neuter
Quiz
Word Order
Arrange the words in the correct order.
Would that sound defensive?
Show Answer
Ville det lyde defensivt?Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
feedback
Show Answer
feedbackenproposal
Show Answer
forslagetask
Show Answer
Spørgunclear