Planning a group dinner | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Planning a group dinner to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Vi skal vælge en restaurant til vores gruppe på lørdag.

vee skal VEL-yuh uhn res-tuh-RONG teel VOH-uhs GROO-buh poh LUR-dah We need to choose a restaurant for our group on Saturday.

Så bør vi tjekke alles madpræferencer, før vi bestiller bord.

soh buhr vee CHEG-uh AL-uhs mah-preh-feh-REN-suh, fuhr vee beh-STEL-uh bohr Then we should check everyone's food preferences before making a reservation.

Nogle vil have sushi, men andre foretrækker et varmt måltid.

NOH-luh veel HAY-vuh SOO-shee, men AHN-druh foh-TRAEG-uh ehd VORMT MOHL-teed Some people want sushi, but others prefer a hot meal.

Et sted med en varieret menu ville være mere fleksibelt.

ehd stey meh uhn vah-ree-AY-uhd meh-NOO VIL-uh VAIR-uh MAY-uh fleg-see-BELD A place with a varied menu would be more flexible.

Jeg har fundet en afslappet restaurant med vegetariske retter og store borde.

yai hah FOON-uhd uhn ow-SLAH-buht res-tuh-RONG meh veh-geh-TAH-ris-kuh RED-uh oh STOH-uh BOH-uh I found a casual restaurant with vegetarian options and big tables.

Det lyder som et mere sikkert valg til en blandet gruppe.

deh LOO-uh sohm ehd MAY-uh SEER-guhd valg teel uhn BLAN-uhd GROO-buh That sounds like a safer choice for a mixed group.

Skal jeg spørge gruppen, før jeg bestiller bord, eller skal jeg vælge den nu?

skal yai SPUHR-yuh GROO-buhn, fuhr yai beh-STEL-uh bohr, EL-uh skal yai VEL-yuh den noo Should I ask the group before booking, or choose it now?

Giv dem to muligheder, og bed dem om et hurtigt svar.

geev dehm toh moo-lee-HAY-thuh, oh behd dehm ohm ehd HOOHR-digt svahr Give them two options and ask for a quick response.

Jeg sender en kort afstemning, så vi kan beslutte os i aften.

yai SEN-uh uhn kohrt OW-stem-ning, soh vee kan beh-SLOOT-uh ohs ee AF-tuhn I will send a short poll so we can decide tonight.

Det burde holde planen i gang uden at spørge for mange mennesker om deres mening.

deh BOO-uh HOHL-uh PLAY-nuhn ee gang OO-uhn uh SPUHR-yuh foh MAN-yuh MEN-uh-sguh ohm DAY-uhs MAY-ning That should keep the plan moving without asking too many people for opinions.

Word by Word

Vi “Vi” means “we” in “Vi skal vælge en restaurant”. It refers to the speaker and at least one other person; a common reuse pattern is “Vi skal …” for a shared plan or need.

skal “skal” expresses a need or planned action in “Vi skal vælge en restaurant”, while the capitalized “Skal” asks whether the speaker should do something in “Skal jeg spørge gruppen”. Use “skal” before an infinitive, as in “skal vælge” or “Skal jeg spørge …?”.

vælge “vælge” means “to choose” in “skal vælge en restaurant”. It is the action that follows “skal”; a useful pattern is “vælge + object”, such as “vælge en restaurant”.

en “en” introduces “en restaurant” as one non-specific restaurant. It is used before this common-gender noun; reuse the pattern “en + noun” when referring to one non-specific item of this type.

restaurant “restaurant” means “restaurant” in “en restaurant”. It is the place being chosen for the group; a common reuse is “vælge en restaurant” or “bestille bord på en restaurant”.

til “til” means “for” in “til vores gruppe”, showing who the restaurant is intended for. A useful pattern is “noget til + person or group”, as in “en restaurant til vores gruppe”.

vores “vores” means “our” in “vores gruppe” and identifies the group as belonging to or associated with the speakers. It is placed directly before the noun, as in “vores gruppe”.

gruppe “gruppe” means “group” in “vores gruppe”. Here it is the group whose dinner is being planned; a useful reuse is “spørge gruppen” when asking the group for input.

på “på” means “on” in “på lørdag”, identifying the day of the planned dinner. Use “på” with a weekday in this kind of time expression, as in “på lørdag”.

lørdag “lørdag” means “Saturday” in “på lørdag”. It specifies when the group will meet; the reusable expression is “på lørdag” for an event planned for Saturday.

Så “Så” means “then” at the beginning of “Så bør vi tjekke …”, linking this suggestion to the previous statement. The lowercase “så” in “så vi kan beslutte os” means “so” and introduces the purpose or result; these are common uses of “så”.

bør “bør” means “should” in “bør vi tjekke”, presenting the checking as sensible or advisable. It comes before the subject in this suggestion; a useful pattern is “bør vi + infinitive” when proposing an action.

tjekke “tjekke” means “to check” in “bør vi tjekke alles madpræferencer”. It follows “bør” and takes the thing being checked as its object; reuse “tjekke + noun” for checking information.

alles “alles” means “everyone’s” in “alles madpræferencer”, showing that the preferences belong to all the people in the group. It is placed before the possessed noun; a useful pattern is “alles + noun”.

madpræferencer “madpræferencer” means “food preferences” in “alles madpræferencer”. It refers to what kinds of food the people prefer; a common reuse is “spørge om madpræferencer” when collecting this information.

før “før” means “before” in “før vi bestiller bord” and “før jeg bestiller bord”. It introduces an action that must happen earlier; reuse “før + clause” to say that one action happens before another.

bestiller “bestiller” means “book” in “bestiller bord”, specifically arranging a table at a restaurant. It is a form of “bestille” used with “bord”; the useful expression is “bestille bord”.

bord “bord” means “table” in “bestiller bord”, where it refers to a restaurant table being reserved. The common expression is “bestille bord”, meaning to book a table.

Nogle “Nogle” means “some” in “Nogle vil have sushi”, referring to part of the group. It is used before or with a plural subject; a useful pattern is “Nogle …, men andre …” when comparing people.

vil “vil” means “want” in “vil have sushi”, expressing what some people want to eat. It is followed here by “have” and the desired item; reuse “vil have + noun” to state a preference or request.

have “have” contributes the meaning of having or getting sushi in “vil have sushi”. Together with “vil”, it forms the pattern “vil have + thing” for saying what someone wants.

sushi “sushi” means “sushi” in “vil have sushi”. It is the food some people want; a useful reuse is “vil have + food” when stating a food preference.

men “men” means “but” in “men andre foretrækker …”, marking a contrast with what some people want. It commonly connects two contrasting statements, as in “Nogle …, men andre …”.

andre “andre” means “others” in “men andre foretrækker et varmt måltid”, referring to the remaining people in contrast with “Nogle”. A useful pattern is “nogle …, andre …” for contrasting groups.

foretrækker “foretrækker” means “prefer” in “andre foretrækker et varmt måltid”. It takes the preferred thing directly after it; reuse “foretrække + noun” to state one preference.

et “et” introduces “et varmt måltid” as one non-specific neuter noun phrase. It is used before this noun; reuse the pattern “et + adjective + noun” with a neuter noun such as “et måltid”.

varmt “varmt” means “hot” or “warm” in “et varmt måltid”, describing the meal. The form appears with the neuter noun “måltid”; a useful pattern is “et varmt + noun”.

måltid “måltid” means “meal” in “et varmt måltid”. It refers to the food served as one meal; a common reuse is “et måltid” when discussing what people will eat.

sted “sted” means “place” in “Et sted med en varieret menu”. Here it means a possible restaurant or venue; a useful pattern is “et sted med + feature” to describe a place by what it offers.

med “med” means “with” in “med en varieret menu”, “med vegetariske retter” and “med store borde”. It links a place or restaurant to features it has; reuse “et sted med + noun” for describing what a place provides.

varieret “varieret” means “varied” in “en varieret menu”, describing a menu with different choices. It comes before “menu”; a useful pattern is “en varieret + noun” when describing variety.

menu “menu” means “menu” in “en varieret menu”. It refers to the food choices available at the place; a common reuse is “en menu med …” to describe its contents.

ville “ville” means “would” in “ville være mere fleksibelt”, presenting the place as a possible or hypothetical choice. It is followed by the infinitive “være”; reuse “ville være + description” for a tentative evaluation.

være “være” means “be” in “ville være mere fleksibelt”. It follows “ville” and links the place to the description “mere fleksibelt”; a useful pattern is “ville være + adjective”.

mere “mere” means “more” in “mere fleksibelt”, making the description comparative. It comes before the adjective here; reuse “mere + adjective” when comparing how suitable or useful something is.

fleksibelt “fleksibelt” means “flexible” in “mere fleksibelt”, describing the place as able to suit different preferences. The form appears after “mere” in “mere fleksibelt”; a useful pattern is “mere + adjective” for a comparative description.

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” in “Jeg har fundet en afslappet restaurant”. It identifies the speaker as the person who found the restaurant; a common sentence pattern is “Jeg har + past participle” for reporting something the speaker has done.

har “har” means “have” in “Jeg har fundet”, where it helps form the statement that the speaker has found a restaurant. It is followed by “fundet”; reuse “har + past participle” to report a completed action.

fundet “fundet” means “found” in “Jeg har fundet en afslappet restaurant”. It is the form used after “har” to say that the restaurant has been found; a useful pattern is “har fundet + object”.

afslappet “afslappet” means “casual” or “relaxed” in “en afslappet restaurant”, describing the restaurant’s atmosphere or style. It comes before “restaurant”; reuse “en afslappet + noun” for a casual place or activity.

vegetariske “vegetariske” means “vegetarian” in “vegetariske retter”, describing the dishes as suitable for a vegetarian diet. It comes before the plural noun “retter”; a useful pattern is “vegetariske + food noun”.

retter “retter” means “dishes” in “vegetariske retter”. It refers to the vegetarian items available at the restaurant; a common reuse is “retter med …” when describing dishes by their ingredients.

og “og” means “and” in “vegetariske retter og store borde”. It joins two features of the restaurant; use it to connect words or phrases of equal importance.

store “store” means “big” or “large” in “store borde”, describing the tables as suitable for a group. It comes before the plural noun “borde”; reuse “store + plural noun” for large items.

borde “borde” means “tables” in “store borde”. It refers to the restaurant’s large tables; a useful reuse is “store borde” when describing seating for a group.

Det “Det” means “that” in “Det lyder som …”, referring to the restaurant just mentioned or the description of it. A common pattern is “Det lyder som + noun” when reacting to how something sounds.

lyder “lyder” means “sounds” in “Det lyder som et mere sikkert valg”. It describes the speaker’s impression of the suggestion; reuse “Det lyder som …” to give an immediate evaluation.

som “som” means “like” in “lyder som et mere sikkert valg”, introducing what something seems like. It is part of the reusable expression “Det lyder som + noun” for describing an impression.

sikkert “sikkert” means “safe” or “secure” in “et mere sikkert valg”, describing the choice as less risky for the mixed group. It appears before “valg” in the comparative phrase “mere sikkert valg”; reuse “et sikkert valg” for a dependable option.

valg “valg” means “choice” in “et mere sikkert valg”. It refers to the restaurant as an option selected for the group; a useful pattern is “et sikkert valg” for a dependable choice.

blandet “blandet” means “mixed” in “en blandet gruppe”, describing a group with different preferences. It comes before “gruppe”; reuse “en blandet gruppe” when people in a group are not all alike.

spørge “spørge” means “ask” in “Skal jeg spørge gruppen”. It follows “skal” and takes the person or group being asked directly; reuse “spørge + person or group” when requesting information or an opinion.

gruppen “gruppen” means “the group” in “spørge gruppen”, referring to the specific dinner group already under discussion. The form is used for this definite group; a common pattern is “spørge gruppen” for collecting its opinion.

eller “eller” means “or” in “eller skal jeg vælge den nu?”, presenting an alternative action. It joins two options in a question; reuse it to ask someone to choose between alternatives.

den “den” means “it” or “that one” in “vælge den nu”, referring back to the restaurant. It replaces the previously mentioned common-gender noun; a useful pattern is “vælge den” when selecting an already identified option.

nu “nu” means “now” in “vælge den nu”, specifying that the choice could be made at the present time. A common reuse is placing “nu” after the verb or object to emphasize when an action happens.

Giv “Giv” means “give” in “Giv dem to muligheder”, telling the listener to provide something. It is an instruction followed by the recipient and the thing given; reuse “Giv + person + thing” for a direct request.

dem “dem” means “them” in “Giv dem to muligheder” and refers to the group members. It identifies the recipients of the options; a useful pattern is “give dem + thing” when offering something to several people.

muligheder “muligheder” means “options” in “to muligheder”. It refers to the alternatives the group can choose between; reuse “give nogen to muligheder” when presenting two choices.

bed “bed” means “ask” or “request” in “bed dem om et hurtigt svar”, instructing the listener to request a response from the group. It is the form used in the pattern “bed nogen om noget”.

om “om” means “for” in “bed dem om et hurtigt svar”, completing the request for something, and means “about” in “spørge … om deres mening”. Use the full patterns “bede nogen om noget” and “spørge nogen om noget”.

hurtigt “hurtigt” means “quick” in “et hurtigt svar”, describing the response as something that should come soon. It comes before “svar”; reuse “et hurtigt svar” when asking for a prompt response.

svar “svar” means “response” or “answer” in “et hurtigt svar”. It is the information the group is asked to send back; a common reuse is “bede om et svar” when requesting an answer.

sender “sender” means “send” in “Jeg sender en kort afstemning”, stating the speaker’s planned action. It is followed by the thing being sent; reuse “Jeg sender + object” when saying that you will send something.

kort “kort” means “short” in “en kort afstemning”, describing the poll as brief. It comes before “afstemning”; a useful pattern is “en kort + noun” for something brief in length or duration.

afstemning “afstemning” means “poll” in “en kort afstemning”. It refers to a vote or questionnaire used to collect the group’s choice; a common reuse is “sende en afstemning” when asking several people to choose.

kan “kan” means “can” in “så vi kan beslutte os”, expressing that the group will be able to decide. It is followed by the infinitive “beslutte”; reuse “kan + infinitive” to express ability or possibility.

beslutte “beslutte” means “decide” in “kan beslutte os”. Here it is used with “os” in the expression “beslutte os”, meaning to make a decision; reuse “beslutte sig” or its matching pronoun when referring to deciding.

os “os” means “ourselves” in “beslutte os”, completing the expression for making a decision. It refers to the speaker and the others together; the reusable pattern is “beslutte os” in this sentence structure.

i gang “i gang” means “underway” or “moving along” in “holde planen i gang”. The whole expression describes keeping the plan active; “i” contributes the idea of being in a state, while “gang” contributes the idea of movement or progress. A useful pattern is “holde + plan or activity + i gang”.

aften “aften” means “evening” in “i aften”, which here means “tonight”. It specifies when the group can decide; the reusable expression is “i aften” for this evening.

burde “burde” means “should” or “ought to” in “Det burde holde planen i gang”, presenting the expected effect of the poll. It is followed by the infinitive “holde”; reuse “burde + infinitive” for an expected or advisable result.

holde “holde” means “keep” in “holde planen i gang”, meaning to maintain the plan’s progress. It is used with the object “planen” and the expression “i gang”; a useful pattern is “holde + something + i gang”.

planen “planen” means “the plan” in “holde planen i gang”, referring to the dinner arrangements already being discussed. It is the thing whose progress is maintained; reuse “holde planen i gang” for keeping arrangements moving.

uden “uden” means “without” in “uden at spørge …”, introducing an action that is avoided. It is followed here by “at” and an infinitive; a useful pattern is “uden at + verb” for saying that something happens without another action.

for “for” means “too” in “for mange mennesker”, indicating that the number of people asked would be excessive. It comes before the quantity word “mange”; reuse “for mange + plural noun” for too high a number.

mange “mange” means “many” in “for mange mennesker”, referring to a large number of people. Together with “for”, it means “too many”; reuse “mange + plural noun” when describing a large number.

mennesker “mennesker” means “people” in “for mange mennesker”. It refers to the individuals who might be asked for opinions; a useful pattern is “spørge mennesker om deres mening” when collecting opinions.

deres “deres” means “their” in “deres mening”, referring to the people mentioned in “for mange mennesker”. It comes before the possessed noun; reuse “deres + noun” to identify something belonging to or associated with them.

mening “mening” means “opinion” in “deres mening”. It refers to what the people think about the restaurant choice; a common reuse is “spørge om nogens mening” when asking for someone’s opinion.

Grammar Points

varm → varmt

varmt måltid

VORMT MOHL-teed

hot; warm meal

Adjectives take -t with neuter nouns, as in måltid: varmt måltid.

beslutte sig

beslutte os

beh-SLOOT-uh ohs

decide

This expression uses a reflexive pronoun that changes with the subject: os means “ourselves”.

Danish Vocabulary

bestille bord phrase

beh-STEL-uh bohr book a table bestiller bord

før vi bestiller bord

foretrække verb

foh-TRAEG-uh prefer foretrækker

andre foretrækker et varmt måltid

gruppe noun

GROO-buh group

Gender: common

til vores gruppe

lørdag noun

LUR-dah Saturday

Gender: common

på lørdag

madpræference noun

mah-preh-feh-REN-suh food preference madpræferencer

Gender: common

alles madpræferencer

måltid noun

MOHL-teed meal

Gender: neuter

et varmt måltid

restaurant noun

res-tuh-RONG restaurant

Gender: common

Vi skal vælge en restaurant.

sted noun

stey place

Gender: neuter

Et sted med en varieret menu

tjekke verb

CHEG-uh check

vi bør tjekke alles madpræferencer

varieret adj

vah-ree-AY-uhd varied

en varieret menu

varm adj

VORM hot; warm varmt

et varmt måltid

vælge verb

VEL-yuh choose

Vi skal vælge en restaurant.

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

check

Show Answer

tjekke

prefer

Show Answer

foretrækker

hot; warm

Show Answer

varmt

choose

Show Answer

vælge