Planning a safe hike | Learn Danish in English

Danish lesson set in a contemporary Copenhagen everyday setting: Before a group hike, two friends check trail difficulty, weather, and safety plans before sharing route details..

EN → DA / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Planning a safe hike to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Bjergstien ser smuk ud, men den kan være for vanskelig for begyndere.

BYAIR-stee-un sair smoog ooth, men dehn kan VAIR-uh foh VAHN-skuh-lee foh be-GUHN-uh-ruh. The mountain trail looks beautiful, but it may be too difficult for beginners.
B

Lad os tjekke afstanden, højdeforskellen og vejrudsigten, før vi beslutter os.

Lah ohss CHEK-uh AF-stah-den, HOY-deh-fors-gel-en oh VY-uh-oo-SIG-den, fuh vee be-SLUT-uh ohss. Let's check the distance, elevation, and weather forecast before we decide.
A

Det er en ret lang rute.

Deh air en red lahng ROO-teh. It is a fairly long route.
A

Vejrudsigten siger let regn om eftermiddagen.

VY-uh-oo-SIG-den SEE-uh let rain ohm AF-tuh-MID-ah-en. The forecast says light rain in the afternoon.
B

Så skal vi starte tidligt og have en plan B.

Soh skal vee STAR-tuh TEE-lee oh HAY-vuh en plan BAY. Then we need an early start and a backup plan.
A

Der er en kortere rute, som fører tilbage til den samme station.

Dair air en KOR-tuh-reh ROO-teh, som FUH-uh tee-BAI-uh tee dehn SAM-uh stah-SHOHN. There is a shorter route that returns to the same station.
B

Det lyder mere sikkert, hvis stiforholdene bliver glatte.

Deh LOO-uh MAIR-uh SEE-gud, viss STEE-for-hol-uh-neh BLEE-uh GLAD-uh. That sounds safer if the trail conditions become slippery.
A

Skal vi sige til alle, at de skal tage ordentlige sko og vand med?

Skal vee SEE-uh tehl AL-uh, at dee skal TAY-uh OR-den-lee-uh skoh oh van meh? Should we tell everyone to bring proper shoes and water?
B

De bør tage begge dele med.

Dee buhr TAY-uh BEG-uh DAY-leh meh. They should bring both.
B

Vi bør gøre det klart, at vi vender om, hvis det bliver nødvendigt.

Vee buhr GOH-uh deh KLARD, at vee VEN-uh ohm, viss deh BLEE-uh NUHD-ven-dee. We should make it clear that we will turn back if needed.
A

Jeg deler rutekortet og mødetidspunktet i aften.

Yai DEE-luh ROO-teh-kor-uh oh MÖH-deh-tids-pong-uh ee AF-den. I will share the route map and meeting time tonight.
B

Det burde hjælpe alle med at forberede sig og beslutte, om de kan tage med.

Deh BOO-duh YELP-uh AL-uh meh ad for-be-RAI-uh sai oh be-SLUT-uh, ohm dee kan TAY-uh meh. That should help everyone prepare and decide if they can join.

Word by Word

Bjergstien 'Bjergstien' means the mountain trail being discussed. The form identifies a specific trail, so it is useful when referring to a known route in a hiking conversation.
ser 'ser' means looks or appears in 'ser smuk ud'. It is commonly used with an adjective and 'ud' to describe how something appears, for example when evaluating a trail or place.
smuk 'smuk' means beautiful and describes the trail in 'ser smuk ud'. Use it to give a positive description of a place, object, or view.
ud 'ud' completes the expression 'ser smuk ud', which means looks beautiful. In this use, it helps describe appearance rather than movement, so the expression is useful when giving an impression of something.
men 'men' means but and introduces a contrast between the trail looking beautiful and being difficult. Use it to connect two statements with opposing or limiting information.
den 'den' refers back to the mountain trail in 'den kan være for vanskelig'. It is useful when continuing to talk about a previously mentioned specific thing without repeating the noun.
kan 'kan' expresses that the trail may or can be too difficult in 'kan være'. It is followed here by the infinitive 'være', and the pattern is useful for discussing a possibility.
være 'være' means be in 'kan være for vanskelig'. It follows the modal verb 'kan', so the same pattern can describe a possible condition or quality.
for 'for' means too in 'for vanskelig', showing that the difficulty may exceed what beginners can manage. Put it before an adjective when describing an excessive degree.
vanskelig 'vanskelig' means difficult and describes the trail in 'for vanskelig for begyndere'. It is useful when assessing whether an activity, route, or task is manageable.
begyndere 'begyndere' means beginners, the people for whom the trail may be too difficult. It appears after 'for' in 'for begyndere', a useful pattern for identifying the intended group.
Lad 'Lad' begins the suggestion 'Lad os tjekke', meaning let us check. Use this form with 'os' and an infinitive to suggest a joint action.
os 'os' means us in 'Lad os tjekke'. Together with 'Lad', it includes the speaker and the listener in a proposed action.
tjekke 'tjekke' means check in 'Lad os tjekke'. It follows 'Lad os' as the action being suggested and can be used with information or objects that need examination.
afstanden 'afstanden' means the distance being checked for the route. The specific form refers to a known measurement, so it is useful when discussing how far a planned journey is.
højdeforskellen 'højdeforskellen' means the elevation difference of the route. It is used as an item being checked, which makes the word useful when evaluating how demanding a hike may be.
og 'og' means and and links the distance, elevation difference, and weather forecast in the list. Use it to join words, phrases, or actions that belong together.
vejrudsigten 'vejrudsigten' means the weather forecast being checked before deciding. It refers to a specific forecast and is useful when planning an activity affected by weather.
før 'før' means before and introduces the point in time before the decision is made. In 'før vi beslutter os', it connects a preliminary action with the later decision.
vi 'vi' means we in 'før vi beslutter os'. It identifies the group making the decision and is useful when describing a shared action.
beslutter 'beslutter' means decide in 'vi beslutter os'. With 'os', it forms the expression for making a decision, useful when a group is choosing what to do.
Det 'Det' means it in 'Det er en ret lang rute' and refers to the route or situation being discussed. It also begins the comment 'Det lyder mere sikkert', so it is useful for referring back to an idea or situation.
er 'er' means is in 'Det er en ret lang rute'. It links the subject with a description or identification and is useful for stating what something is like.
en 'en' means a or an before 'rute' in 'en ret lang rute'. It introduces one route that is being described without assuming the listener already knows its name.
ret 'ret' means fairly or quite in 'ret lang', making the description stronger but not extreme. Put it before an adjective when giving a moderate degree of emphasis.
lang 'lang' means long and describes the route in 'ret lang rute'. It is useful for describing the length of a route, journey, or object.
rute 'rute' means route in 'en ret lang rute'. It is the path being evaluated and can be used when discussing travel directions or planned journeys.
siger 'siger' means says in 'Vejrudsigten siger let regn'. Here, the forecast is presented as giving information, a pattern useful for reporting what a notice, report, or source states.
let 'let' means light in 'let regn', describing rain that is not heavy. It is useful before a weather word when giving the expected intensity.
regn 'regn' means rain in 'let regn'. It is used here as the weather expected later, so it is useful when discussing outdoor plans.
om 'om' means in when it introduces the time period in 'om eftermiddagen'. Use it with a period of the day to say when something is expected to happen.
eftermiddagen 'eftermiddagen' means the afternoon in 'om eftermiddagen'. It refers to a specific part of the day and is useful for locating an event or weather condition in time.
Så 'Så' means then and draws a practical consequence from the forecast. Use it at the start of a response when one decision follows from information just mentioned.
skal 'skal' expresses need to in 'skal vi starte tidligt' and appears in a question in 'Skal vi sige'. It is useful for discussing a necessary action or asking whether a proposed action should happen.
starte 'starte' means start in 'skal vi starte tidligt'. It follows 'skal' in the infinitive form and is useful when deciding when an activity should begin.
tidligt 'tidligt' means early and describes when the group should start. It is useful for specifying an earlier time than would otherwise be expected.
have 'have' means have in 'have en plan B'. It follows 'skal' and describes possessing or arranging something needed for the plan.
plan 'plan' means plan in 'en plan B'. It refers to an intended course of action and is useful when organizing an activity or preparing for a possible change.
B 'B' labels the alternative in 'plan B', the backup option for the hike. Use this letter label when distinguishing a secondary plan from the main plan.
Der 'Der' introduces existence in 'Der er en kortere rute', meaning there is a shorter route. This pattern is useful when presenting something that exists or is available.
kortere 'kortere' means shorter and compares this route with the route already under discussion. It is useful when choosing between routes or options of different length.
som 'som' means that or which in 'som fører tilbage til den samme station'. It introduces information about the route and is useful for describing what a person or thing does.
fører 'fører' means leads or takes in 'som fører tilbage'. The route is the subject of this action, and the word is useful when describing where a path or road goes.
tilbage 'tilbage' means back in 'fører tilbage til den samme station'. It shows a return direction and is useful when describing movement toward a previous place.
til 'til' means to in 'til den samme station', marking the destination of the route. Use it before a place that someone or something is moving toward.
samme 'samme' means same in 'den samme station'. It emphasizes that the destination is identical to the station already relevant in the plan.
station 'station' means station in 'den samme station'. It is the destination at the end of the shorter route and is useful when giving a meeting point or route reference.
lyder 'lyder' means sounds in 'Det lyder mere sikkert'. It gives an impression or evaluation rather than stating an objective fact, so it is useful when reacting to a suggestion.
mere 'mere' means more in 'mere sikkert', comparing the safety of this option with another option. Put it before an adjective when making a comparison.
sikkert 'sikkert' means safe or safely in 'lyder mere sikkert'. Together, the expression evaluates the suggested route, making it useful when discussing which option appears safer.
hvis 'hvis' means if and introduces the condition 'stiforholdene bliver glatte'. Use it to state what may happen or what action applies under a particular condition.
stiforholdene 'stiforholdene' means the trail conditions. It is the subject of the condition about becoming slippery and is useful when discussing the state of a path.
bliver 'bliver' means becomes or gets in 'bliver glatte'. It describes a change in the trail conditions and is useful for talking about a new state that may develop.
glatte 'glatte' means slippery and describes the trail conditions in 'bliver glatte'. It is useful when warning that a surface may become difficult or unsafe to walk on.
sige 'sige' means tell in 'sige til alle', where the speaker proposes communicating information to everyone. The pattern 'sige til alle, at' is useful for telling a group what they need to know.
alle 'alle' means everyone in 'sige til alle'. It identifies the whole group receiving the message and is useful when an instruction applies to every person involved.
at 'at' introduces the content of what should be told in 'at de skal tage ordentlige sko og vand med'. It is useful for connecting a reporting verb with the message or clause that follows.
de 'de' means they in 'de skal tage'. It refers back to everyone in the group and is useful for continuing a statement about those people.
tage 'tage' means take or bring in 'tage ordentlige sko og vand med'. With 'med', it describes bringing something along, a useful pattern for instructions about what to carry.
ordentlige 'ordentlige' means proper or suitable in 'ordentlige sko'. It describes footwear considered appropriate for the hike and is useful when specifying suitable equipment.
sko 'sko' means shoes in 'ordentlige sko'. They are one of the items the hikers are told to bring, so the word is useful when discussing footwear or equipment.
vand 'vand' means water in 'sko og vand'. It names the drink the hikers should bring and is useful when discussing supplies for an activity.
med 'med' means along or with in 'tage ordentlige sko og vand med'. It completes the meaning of bringing items along and is useful after a verb of taking when something is carried to a destination.
bør 'bør' means should in 'De bør tage begge dele med'. It gives advice or a recommendation, useful when telling people what is sensible to do.
begge 'begge' means both in 'begge dele'. It refers to the two previously mentioned items and is useful when recommending two items together.
dele 'dele' means things or parts in the expression 'begge dele', meaning both of them. It is useful here because it avoids repeating the two items already mentioned.
gøre 'gøre' means make or do in 'gøre det klart'. Together with 'det klart', it describes making a point clear, a useful pattern when communicating a rule or decision.
klart 'klart' means clear in 'gøre det klart'. It describes the message or point as understandable, which is useful when emphasizing that everyone should understand an instruction.
vender 'vender' means turns in 'vi vender om'. With 'om', it describes turning back from the route, a useful expression when deciding to return for safety.
nødvendigt 'nødvendigt' means necessary in 'hvis det bliver nødvendigt'. It describes a situation in which turning back is required, useful when stating a safety condition.
Jeg 'Jeg' means I and identifies the speaker in 'Jeg deler rutekortet'. It is useful for stating what the speaker personally plans or agrees to do.
deler 'deler' means share in 'Jeg deler rutekortet og mødetidspunktet'. The present form describes the speaker's planned action for tonight, and it is useful when offering information to a group.
rutekortet 'rutekortet' means the route map being shared with the group. It refers to a specific map for this hike and is useful when giving people route information.
i 'i' means in in 'i aften', indicating when the sharing will happen. Use it with a time period such as a part of the day.
aften 'aften' means evening in 'i aften'. The phrase locates the planned action later that day and is useful when arranging a time.
burde 'burde' means should or ought to in 'Det burde hjælpe'. Here it expresses an expected result rather than a direct instruction, so it is useful when predicting that something will probably be helpful.
hjælpe 'hjælpe' means help in 'burde hjælpe alle'. It follows 'burde' in the infinitive form and is useful when describing what an action will assist someone in doing.
forberede 'forberede' means prepare in 'forberede sig'. It is used with 'sig' because the group prepares themselves, a useful pattern when people get ready for an activity.
sig 'sig' refers back to the people preparing in 'forberede sig'. It completes the reflexive expression and is useful when the people performing the action are also its recipients.
beslutte 'beslutte' means decide in 'forberede sig og beslutte'. It is coordinated with another infinitive after 'hjælpe ... med at', so the pattern is useful when describing two actions that the help enables people to take.

Grammar Points

ret + adjektiv

Ruten er ret lang.

ROO-den air red lahng.

The route is quite long.

ret står foran et adjektiv og betyder “quite” eller “fairly”; det er et adverbium.

Det er + adjektiv på -t

Det er nødvendigt at tjekke vejrudsigt.

Deh air NUHD-ven-dee ad CHEK-uh VY-uh-oo-SIGD.

It is necessary to check the weather forecast.

Efter “det er” får adjektivet ofte endelsen -t: nødvendig bliver nødvendigt.

Danish Vocabulary

afstand noun
AF-stan distance afstanden
Gender
common

Tjekke afstanden.

begynder noun
be-GUHN-er beginner begyndere
Gender
common

For vanskelig for begyndere.

beslutte sig verb
be-SLUT-uh sai decide beslutter os

Før vi beslutter os.

bjergsti noun
BYAIR-stee mountain trail bjergstien
Gender
common

Bjergstien ser smuk ud.

højdeforskel noun
HOY-deh-fors-gel elevation difference højdeforskellen
Gender
common

Højdeforskellen og vejrudsigten.

lang adj
lahng long

En ret lang rute.

ret adv
red fairly; quite

Det er en ret lang rute.

rute noun
ROO-teh route
Gender
common

Det er en ret lang rute.

smuk adj
smoog beautiful

Bjergstien ser smuk ud.

tjekke verb
CHEK-uh check

Lad os tjekke afstanden.

vanskelig adj
VAHN-skuh-lee difficult

Den kan være for vanskelig for begyndere.

vejrudsigt noun
VY-uh-oo-SIGD weather forecast vejrudsigten
Gender
common

Vejrudsigten siger let regn.

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

It is a fairly long route.

Show AnswerDet er en ret lang rute.

The forecast says light rain in the afternoon.

Show AnswerVejrudsigten siger let regn om eftermiddagen.

They should bring both.

Show AnswerDe bør tage begge dele med.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

distance

Show Answerafstanden

weather forecast

Show Answervejrudsigten

beautiful

Show Answersmuk

mountain trail

Show Answerbjergstien