Choosing a lighter mystery comedy | Learn Danish in English

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Use Choosing a lighter mystery comedy to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Du vil se en thriller, men jeg håbede på noget lettere.

doo vel say uhn TRIL-uh, men yai HOH-buh-thuh poh NOH-uhth LEH-duh-uh. You want a thriller, but I was hoping for something lighter.

Måske kan vi finde en film, som vi begge har lyst til at se.

MAW-skuh kan vee FEH-nuh uhn film, sum vee BEH-guh hah luhsd tehl ad say. Maybe we can find a film we both feel like watching.

Hvad med denne mysteriekomedie? Anmeldelserne siger, at den ikke er for intens.

vehth mehth DEH-nuh mu-STEH-ree-uh-ko-muh-DEE-uh? AN-mel-uhs-uh-nuh SEE-uh, ad den EH-guh eh foh-uh en-TENS. What about this mystery comedy? The reviews say it isn't too intense.

Det kunne fungere. Har den undertekster?

deh KOO-nuh foon-GEH-uh. hah den OON-uh-TEK-stuh? That could work. Does it have subtitles?

Det har den, og den er ikke for lang.

deh hah den, oh den eh EH-guh foh-uh lang. It does, and it isn't too long.

Kortere film er bedre, når vi starter sent.

KOH-uh-duh film eh BEH-druh, nor vee STAH-duh SENT. Shorter movies are better when we start late.

Traileren har lidt spænding, men den ser stadig sjov ud.

TRAY-luhn hah lethd SPEHN-ing, men den say-uh STAY-ee shohw ooth. The trailer has some suspense, but it still looks funny.

Så passer den bedre til os end en ren thriller.

soh PAH-suh den BEH-druh tehl ohs en RAYN TRIL-uh. Then it fits us better than a straight thriller.

Jeg bestiller pladser på den midterste række.

yai beh-STEL-uh PLEH-suh poh den MEH-duh-stuh REH-guh. I'll book seats in the middle row.

Jeg tror, vi begge vil nyde den.

yai troh-uh, vee BEH-guh vel NOO-thuh den. I think we'll both enjoy that one.

Word by Word

Du “Du” means “you” here, addressing one person. It is the subject in “Du vil se en thriller”. Use “Du” before a verb when speaking to one person.

vil In “Du vil se en thriller”, “vil” expresses wanting to do something. It is followed by the infinitive “se” in “vil se”. Use “vil + infinitive” to state what someone wants to do.

se “Se” means “watch” or “see” here, as in “vil se en thriller”. After “vil”, it names the activity the person wants to do. Use “se” when talking about watching a film or another visual thing.

en “En” introduces the singular noun “thriller” in “en thriller”. It is the article used with this noun here. Use “en + noun” when referring to one such item.

thriller “Thriller” means a thriller, the film genre being discussed in “en thriller”. It is the object of “se”. Use it when naming this type of film.

men “Men” means “but” and connects two contrasting ideas in “Du vil se en thriller, men jeg håbede på noget lettere”. Use “men” to introduce an opposing preference or statement.

jeg “Jeg” means “I” and is the subject in “jeg håbede på noget lettere”. It identifies the speaker before the verb. Use “jeg” when stating your own thoughts, wishes, or actions.

håbede “Håbede” means “hoped” here and refers to the speaker’s earlier preference. It is the past form of “håbe” in “jeg håbede på noget lettere”. The reusable pattern is “håbe på + something” when expressing what you hope for.

på In “håbede på noget lettere”, “på” is part of the expression “håbe på”, meaning to hope for something. It connects the hope to “noget lettere”. Use “håbe på + noun or pronoun” to name what you hope for.

noget “Noget” means “something” in “noget lettere”. It refers to an unspecified option rather than naming a particular film. Use “noget” when the thing is general or not identified.

lettere “Lettere” means “lighter” here, describing the kind of film the speaker wanted. It is the comparative form used in “noget lettere”. Use “noget + adjective” when describing an unspecified option.

Måske “Måske” means “maybe” and makes “Måske kan vi finde en film” a tentative suggestion. It appears at the beginning of the sentence. Use it when proposing an idea without presenting it as certain.

kan “Kan” expresses possibility or ability in “Måske kan vi finde en film”. It is followed by the infinitive “finde”. Use “kan + infinitive” when saying that something is possible.

vi “Vi” means “we” and is the subject in “vi finde” and “vi begge har lyst”. It refers to the two friends together. Use “vi” when including yourself and at least one other person.

finde “Finde” means “find” in “kan vi finde en film”. It follows “kan” as the action that may be possible. Use “finde + object”, as in “finde en film”, when looking for or selecting something.

film “Film” means “film” or “movie” in “finde en film”. It is the object being looked for. Use it after an article or another determiner when naming a movie.

som “Som” links “en film” to the describing clause “som vi begge har lyst til at se”. It refers back to the film and introduces information about it. Use “som” after a noun when adding a relative description.

begge “Begge” means “both” in “vi begge har lyst til at se”. It emphasizes that the two people share the same inclination. Use “vi begge” when referring to two people who are doing or wanting the same thing.

har In “har lyst til at se”, “har” helps form the expression meaning “feel like watching”. It combines with “lyst til” and is followed by “at se”. Use the pattern “har lyst til at + verb” to say what someone feels like doing.

lyst “Lyst” contributes the idea of desire or inclination in “har lyst til at se”. Together, “har lyst til at se” means “feel like watching”. Use “lyst til at + verb” to name an activity someone wants to do.

til In “har lyst til at se”, “til” connects the inclination “lyst” to the activity that follows. It is part of the construction “lyst til at + verb”, rather than meaning “to” by itself here. Use this construction to express what someone feels like doing.

at In “til at se”, “at” introduces the infinitive “se”. It is part of the pattern “lyst til at + verb”. Use “at” before the verb when this construction names the desired activity.

Hvad “Hvad” means “what” in “Hvad med denne mysteriekomedie?”. Together with “med”, it begins a suggestion about a possible film. Use “Hvad med + noun?” to ask whether someone would consider an option.

med In “Hvad med denne mysteriekomedie?”, “med” is part of the expression “Hvad med”, meaning “what about”. It introduces the proposed film. Use “Hvad med + noun?” when suggesting an alternative.

denne “Denne” means “this” and points to the specific film in “denne mysteriekomedie”. It comes directly before the noun. Use “denne + noun” to identify one particular item.

mysteriekomedie “Mysteriekomedie” means “mystery comedy”, the genre of the proposed film. It is the noun after “denne” in “denne mysteriekomedie”. Use it when describing a film that combines mystery and comedy.

Anmeldelserne “Anmeldelserne” means “the reviews” and refers to the known reviews of the film. It is the subject in “Anmeldelserne siger, at den ikke er for intens”. Use it when reporting what reviews say about a film.

siger “Siger” means “says” in “Anmeldelserne siger, at den ikke er for intens”. It introduces the information reported by the reviews. A reusable pattern is “X siger, at ...” when reporting what a person or source states.

den “Den” means “it” or “that one” here and refers back to the film in “den ikke er for intens”. It replaces the already mentioned film as the subject. Use “den” when referring back to a known item in this context.

ikke “Ikke” means “not” and negates the description in “den ikke er for intens”. In this clause it comes before “er”. Use “ikke” to say that a quality or situation does not apply.

er “Er” means “is” in “den ikke er for intens”. It describes the film with the adjective “intens”. Use “er + adjective” to describe what something is like.

for In “for intens”, “for” means “too” and indicates that the intensity would be excessive. The negation gives “ikke for intens”, or “not too intense”. Use “for + adjective” to describe an excessive degree.

intens “Intens” means “intense” in “den ikke er for intens”. It describes the film’s level of intensity after “er”. Use it with “er” when describing how strongly a film or experience affects the viewer.

Det “Det” means “that” or “it” in “Det kunne fungere”. It refers to the proposed film or idea and makes an evaluation about it. Use “Det kunne ...” when responding tentatively to a suggestion.

kunne “Kunne” expresses a possible or tentative “could” in “Det kunne fungere”. It is followed by the infinitive “fungere”. Use “kunne + infinitive” when suggesting that something might be suitable or possible.

fungere “Fungere” means “work” or “function” in “Det kunne fungere”. Here it says that the suggestion might be acceptable, not that a machine is operating. Use “Det kunne fungere” to evaluate a proposed plan or option.

undertekster “Undertekster” means “subtitles” in “Har den undertekster?”. It is the thing the film may have. Use “have undertekster” when asking or saying whether a film or video includes subtitles.

og “Og” means “and” and connects the two statements in “Det har den, og den er ikke for lang”. It adds another positive detail about the film. Use “og” to join related information.

lang “Lang” means “long” in “den er ikke for lang”. It describes the film’s duration. Use “er + lang” or “for lang” when talking about whether something takes too much time.

Kortere “Kortere” means “shorter” in “Kortere film er bedre”. It compares the length of these films with longer alternatives. Use a comparative adjective before a noun when comparing options.

bedre “Bedre” means “better” in “Kortere film er bedre”. It gives the speaker’s evaluation of shorter films in this situation. Use “X er bedre, når ...” to state that one option is preferable under a condition.

når “Når” means “when” and introduces the time condition “når vi starter sent”. It links the preference for shorter films to starting late. Use “når + clause” to describe when something applies.

starter “Starter” means “start” in “vi starter sent”. It describes the beginning of the movie session. Use it with a subject, as in “vi starter”, when talking about when an activity begins.

sent “Sent” means “late” in “vi starter sent”. It describes the timing of the start. Use “starte sent” when an activity begins later than planned or later than usual.

Traileren “Traileren” means “the trailer” and is the subject in “Traileren har lidt spænding”. It refers to the preview of the film being considered. Use it when discussing what a film trailer contains or suggests.

lidt “Lidt” means “a little” or “some” in “lidt spænding”. It indicates a small amount of suspense. Use “lidt + noun” when describing a limited amount of something.

spænding “Spænding” means “suspense” in “Traileren har lidt spænding”. It is the quality that the trailer contains. Use “have lidt spænding” when describing a film or trailer with some suspense.

ser In “ser stadig sjov ud”, “ser” contributes to the meaning “looks” or “appears”. The full construction is “ser ... ud”, with “sjov” describing how the film appears. Use “ser + adjective + ud” to describe an apparent quality.

stadig “Stadig” means “still” in “men den ser stadig sjov ud”. It shows that the trailer appears funny despite also having suspense. Use “stadig” when a quality continues or remains true.

sjov “Sjov” means “funny” in “ser stadig sjov ud”. It is the adjective describing how the film appears. Use it with “ser ... ud” when something looks funny or entertaining.

ud In “ser stadig sjov ud”, “ud” is part of the construction “ser ... ud”, meaning “looks” or “appears”. It does not mean “out” separately here. Use “ser + adjective + ud” to describe appearance.

Så “Så” means “then” or “so” at the beginning of “Så passer den bedre til os”. It introduces the conclusion drawn from the film’s qualities. Use it to connect a reason with a resulting judgment.

passer “Passer” means “fits” or “suits” in “passer den bedre til os”. It describes how well the film matches the two friends. Use “passer til + person or group” to say that something suits someone.

os “Os” means “us” in “passer den bedre til os”. It identifies the people for whom the film is suitable. Use “til os” after an expression such as “passer til” when describing suitability for the group.

end “End” means “than” in “bedre til os end en ren thriller”. It introduces the option used for comparison. Use “bedre ... end ...” to compare two choices.

ren In “en ren thriller”, “ren” means “straight” or “pure”, indicating a film that is entirely a thriller rather than a mixed genre. It comes before the noun “thriller”. Use “en ren + genre” when contrasting a single genre with a combination of genres.

bestiller “Bestiller” means “book” in “Jeg bestiller pladser”. In this context it refers to reserving cinema seats. Use “bestille + object”, as in “bestille pladser”, when arranging seats or another reservation.

pladser “Pladser” means “seats” in “bestiller pladser”. It is the object of “bestiller”. Use “bestille pladser” when reserving places at the cinema or another event.

midterste “Midterste” means “middle” in “den midterste række”. It identifies the row located in the center. Use “den midterste + noun” when selecting the central option in an arrangement.

række “Række” means “row” in “på den midterste række”. It identifies where the seats are located. Use “på ... række” when describing seats or people located in a particular row.

tror “Tror” means “think” or “believe” in “Jeg tror, vi begge vil nyde den”. It introduces the speaker’s expectation. Use “Jeg tror, ...” before a clause when giving an opinion or prediction.

nyde “Nyde” means “enjoy” in “vi begge vil nyde den”. It follows “vil” and names the expected experience of watching the film. Use “vil nyde + object” when predicting that someone will enjoy something.

Grammar Points

har lyst til at + infinitiv

Jeg har lyst til at se en thriller.

yai hah luhsd tehl ad say uhn TRIL-uh.

I feel like watching a thriller.

After har lyst til, Danish uses at plus the infinitive, such as at se.

Måske + verb + subject

Måske passer denne bedre.

MAW-skuh PAH-suh DEH-nuh BEH-druh.

Maybe this one fits better.

When Måske starts the sentence, the verb comes before the subject: passer denne.

Danish Vocabulary

begge pron

BEH-guh both

denne det

DEH-nuh this

film noun

film film; movie

finde verb

FEH-nuh find

har lyst til phrase

hah luhsd tehl feel like; want to

Hvad med phrase

vehth mehth what about

håbede verb

HOH-buh-thuh hoped

lettere adj

LEH-duh-uh lighter

Måske adv

MAW-skuh maybe

noget pron

NOH-uhth something

se verb

say see; watch

thriller noun

TRIL-uh thriller

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

That could work. Does it have subtitles?

Show Answer

Det kunne fungere. Har den undertekster?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

find

Show Answer

finde

both

Show Answer

begge

lighter

Show Answer

lettere

film; movie

Show Answer

film