Making a plan after being locked out | Learn Danish in English

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Use Making a plan after being locked out to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Jeg er låst ude, og min ekstranøgle ligger inde i lejligheden.

yai er LOST OO-theh, uh meen EK-strah-NUR-luh LIG-uh EN-uh ee LIE-lee-heh-en. I am locked out, and my spare key is inside the apartment.

Prøv først at kontakte udlejeren.

PRURV FURST uhd kun-TAHG-duh oo-TH-LIE-er-en. Try the landlord first.

Ring derefter efter en låsesmed, hvis du ikke snart kan få hjælp.

RENG DAY-uh-EF-duh EF-ter en LOH-suh-SMEH-th, ves doo IG-uh SNAHD ken foh YELB. Then call a locksmith if you cannot get help soon.

Jeg har lagt en besked, men udlejeren har ikke svaret endnu.

yai hair LAHGD en beh-SKAY-th, men oo-TH-LIE-er-en hair IG-uh SVAH-uh-th EN-noo. I left a message, but the landlord has not replied yet.

Vent lidt endnu, medmindre du har brug for at komme ind med det samme.

VEN(T) lit EN-noo, meh-MEN-uh doo hair BROO foh uhd KUM-uh EN meh deh SAH-muh. Wait a little longer unless you need to get in right away.

Jeg skal måske bevise, at jeg bor her, hvis der kommer nogen for at hjælpe.

yai skel MOHS-kuh beh-VEE-suh, uhd yai bohr hair, ves dair KUM-uh NOH-en foh uhd YEL-buh. I may need to prove I live here if someone comes to help.

Hav din legitimation klar, og vent et varmt sted.

HAH din leh-gee-tee-mah-SHOWN klah, uh VEN(T) et vahmd STAY-th. Keep your identification ready and wait in a warm place.

Jeg vil ikke ringe efter en låsesmed, medmindre det er nødvendigt.

yai vel IG-uh RENG EF-ter en LOH-suh-SMEH-th, meh-MEN-uh deh air nur-th-VEN. I do not want to call a locksmith unless it is necessary.

Hvis udlejeren stadig ikke svarer, så ring efter en låsesmed og forklar situationen.

ves oo-TH-LIE-er-en STAI-lee IG-uh SVAH-er, soh RENG EF-ter en LOH-suh-SMEH-th uh fuh-KLAH-uh see-too-ah-SHOWN. If the landlord still does not reply, call one and explain the situation.

Jeg kan sidde i lobbyen og have min telefon tændt.

yai ken SEDH-uh ee LOH-bee-en uh HAH-veh meen teh-leh-FOHN TENT. I can sit in the lobby and keep my phone on.

Du kan holde dig varm der, mens du giver udlejeren lidt mere tid.

doo ken HOL-uh sai VAHM dair, mens doo GEE-vuh oo-TH-LIE-er-en lit MAIR TEEDH. You can stay warm there while you give the landlord a little more time.

Word by Word

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” and is the person who is locked out or taking the actions in the dialogue. It is used as the subject before the verb.

er “er” means “am” in “Jeg er låst ude” and describes the speaker’s current situation. It links “Jeg” with the state expressed by “låst ude”.

låst “låst” means “locked” in the expression “låst ude”. Together with “ude”, it describes being unable to enter because the door is locked.

ude “ude” means “out” in “låst ude”, describing the speaker’s position outside the apartment. The expression “låst ude” is used when someone cannot get into a place.

og “og” means “and” and connects the speaker’s situation with the information about the spare key. It joins clauses or items that belong together.

min “min” means “my” and shows that the spare key belongs to the speaker. It comes before the noun in “min ekstranøgle”.

ekstranøgle “ekstranøgle” means “spare key”, the additional key mentioned in the dialogue. It is the thing that is unfortunately inside the apartment.

ligger “ligger” means “is located” in “min ekstranøgle ligger inde i lejligheden”. It is used here to describe where the key is, rather than an action the key is performing.

inde “inde” means “inside” and helps specify that the spare key is indoors. In “inde i lejligheden”, it describes the key’s location inside the apartment.

i “i” means “in” and introduces the place containing the key in “i lejligheden”. It is used before a location when something is inside that place.

lejligheden “lejligheden” means “the apartment” and refers to the speaker’s home. The form is definite, so it identifies a particular apartment in “i lejligheden”.

Prøv “Prøv” means “try” as a direct suggestion to take the landlord as the first step. In “Prøv først at kontakte udlejeren”, it is followed by an action to try.

først “først” means “first” and tells the listener which action should happen before the others. Here it places contacting the landlord before calling a locksmith.

at “at” introduces the action “kontakte” after “Prøv”. In this construction, it has the meaning “to” before the verb.

kontakte “kontakte” means “contact” in “at kontakte udlejeren”. The person or organization being contacted follows the verb, here “udlejeren”.

udlejeren “udlejeren” means “the landlord”, the person who may be able to help the locked-out tenant. The form refers to a particular landlord and is used after “kontakte” and “give” in the dialogue.

Ring “Ring” means “call” as a direct instruction. In “Ring derefter efter en låsesmed”, it tells the listener to arrange help by phone.

derefter “derefter” means “then” or “afterwards” and marks the next step in the plan. It shows that calling a locksmith comes after trying the landlord.

efter “efter” is part of “ringe efter en låsesmed”, which means to call for a locksmith. In this construction, it identifies the person or service being requested by phone.

en “en” means “a” in “en låsesmed” and introduces one unspecified locksmith. It comes directly before the noun it determines.

låsesmed “låsesmed” means “locksmith”, the person who can help open the locked apartment. It is the person called for in “ringe efter en låsesmed”.

hvis “hvis” means “if” and introduces a condition for calling the locksmith. The condition here is that help cannot be obtained soon.

du “du” means “you” and refers to the person who is locked out. It is the subject of actions such as “kan få hjælp” and “har brug for”.

ikke “ikke” means “not” and makes the surrounding action negative. In “ikke snart kan få hjælp”, it says that the person cannot get help soon.

snart “snart” means “soon” and describes the expected time for receiving help. It is used here to set a short time limit before the next step.

kan “kan” means “can” and expresses ability or possibility in “kan få hjælp”. It is followed by the verb form “få”.

få “få” means “get” or “receive” in “få hjælp”. The expression describes obtaining assistance from another person.

hjælp “hjælp” means “help” and is what the speaker hopes to receive. It appears after “få” in the useful expression “få hjælp”.

har “har” means “has” or “have” in the dialogue. It appears in “har lagt en besked” and “har brug for”, where it helps express a completed action or a need.

lagt “lagt” means “left” in “har lagt en besked”, referring to leaving a message for the landlord. It is the form used with “har” in this expression and relates to “lægge”.

besked “besked” means “message”, the message the speaker has left for the landlord. It is the object in “har lagt en besked”.

men “men” means “but” and introduces information that contrasts with the previous statement. The speaker left a message, but no reply has arrived.

svaret “svaret” means “replied” or “answered” in “har ikke svaret endnu”. The form relates to “svare” and is used here for the landlord’s missing reply.

endnu “endnu” means “yet” and emphasizes that the reply has not happened up to this point. It commonly appears with a negative statement such as “ikke svaret endnu”.

Vent “Vent” means “wait” as a direct instruction. Here it tells the listener to remain patient for a little longer before taking another step.

lidt “lidt” means “a little” and describes a small additional amount. In “lidt endnu” it refers to a little more time, and in “lidt mere tid” it modifies the amount of time.

medmindre “medmindre” means “unless” and introduces an exception to the advice to wait. The exception is needing to get inside immediately.

brug “brug” is part of “har brug for”, meaning “need” in this dialogue. The expression is followed by what the person needs, such as “at komme ind”.

for “for” is part of the expression “har brug for”, which means “need”. It connects the expression of need with the thing or action that is needed.

komme “komme” means “come” or “get” in “komme ind”, where it describes getting into the apartment. It follows “at” after “har brug for”.

ind “ind” means “in” and completes “komme ind”, meaning to get inside. It shows movement from outside into the apartment.

med “med” is part of the fixed expression “med det samme”, which means “immediately” or “right away”. Its contribution is understood together with “det samme”, not as a separate object here.

det “det” is part of “med det samme”, the expression meaning “immediately”. In this phrase it does not refer to a separate thing in the situation.

samme “samme” is part of “med det samme”, meaning “right away” in the dialogue. Together with “med det”, it emphasizes that the action should happen without waiting.

skal “skal” means “must” or “need to” in “skal måske bevise”. Together with “måske”, it expresses that proving residence may become necessary.

måske “måske” means “maybe” and shows that the speaker is uncertain whether proof of residence will be required. It softens the statement made with “skal”.

bevise “bevise” means “prove” in “skal måske bevise, at jeg bor her”. The speaker may need to provide evidence that they live at the address.

bor “bor” means “live” or “reside” in “jeg bor her”. It identifies the speaker’s residence and is used inside the statement that may need to be proved.

her “her” means “here” and refers to the place where the speaker lives. In “jeg bor her”, it points to the apartment or building being discussed.

der “der” means “there” in “holde dig varm der”, referring back to the lobby. It also appears in “der kommer nogen”, where it helps introduce the possibility that someone will come.

kommer “kommer” means “comes” in “der kommer nogen”, describing someone arriving to help. It relates to the verb “komme” and is used here for a possible future arrival.

nogen “nogen” means “someone” in “der kommer nogen for at hjælpe”. It refers to an unspecified person who may arrive to provide assistance.

hjælpe “hjælpe” means “help” in “for at hjælpe”, describing the purpose of someone’s arrival. It follows “for at” when explaining what the person comes to do.

Hav “Hav” means “have” or “keep” as a direct instruction in “Hav din legitimation klar”. It tells the listener to keep the identification available and ready.

din “din” means “your” and shows that the identification belongs to the person being addressed. It comes before “legitimation” in “din legitimation”.

legitimation “legitimation” means “identification”, the document or proof the speaker may need to show. In “Hav din legitimation klar”, it is something to keep ready for the person who comes to help.

klar “klar” means “ready” in “Hav din legitimation klar”. It describes the identification as prepared and immediately available.

et “et” means “a” in “et varmt sted” and introduces one unspecified place. It comes before the noun phrase describing where the listener should wait.

varmt “varmt” means “warm” in “et varmt sted”. It describes the place as providing protection from the cold.

sted “sted” means “place” in “et varmt sted”. The phrase identifies a warm location where the person can wait.

vil “vil” means “want” in “vil ikke ringe efter en låsesmed”. With “ikke”, it expresses that the speaker does not want to call a locksmith unless necessary.

ringe “ringe” means “call” in “vil ikke ringe efter en låsesmed”. It is the verb form used after “vil ikke” and keeps the same “ringe efter” construction as the earlier instruction.

nødvendigt “nødvendigt” means “necessary” in “det er nødvendigt”. It describes the condition that would justify calling a locksmith.

stadig “stadig” means “still” and shows that the landlord’s lack of reply continues. In “stadig ikke svarer”, it emphasizes that the situation has not changed.

svarer “svarer” means “replies” or “answers” in “udlejeren stadig ikke svarer”. It describes the landlord’s failure to respond and relates to “svare”.

så “så” means “then” or “so” in the conditional plan “Hvis ..., så ...”. It introduces the consequence: call a locksmith and explain the situation.

forklar “forklar” means “explain” as a direct instruction. It tells the listener to give the locksmith information about what has happened.

situationen “situationen” means “the situation” and refers to being locked out and unable to reach the landlord. The definite form identifies the particular problem being discussed.

sidde “sidde” means “sit” in “kan sidde i lobbyen”. It describes where the speaker can remain while waiting for help.

lobbyen “lobbyen” means “the lobby”, the particular shared area where the speaker can wait. The definite form refers to the lobby of the building.

have “have” means “have” or “keep” in “have min telefon tændt”. Together with “tændt”, it means to keep the phone switched on.

telefon “telefon” means “phone” and is the object being kept switched on. It appears in “min telefon tændt”, showing which device should remain available.

tændt “tændt” means “on” or “switched on” in “have min telefon tændt”. It describes the phone’s state so the speaker can receive a call.

holde “holde” means “keep” or “stay” in “holde dig varm”. It describes maintaining a warm condition while waiting.

dig “dig” means “you” or “yourself” in “holde dig varm”. It refers back to the person addressed as the person who should stay warm.

mens “mens” means “while” and connects two actions happening during the same period. The listener can stay warm while giving the landlord more time.

giver “giver” means “give” in “giver udlejeren lidt mere tid”. It describes allowing the landlord additional time before calling a locksmith.

mere “mere” means “more” and increases the amount of time being allowed. In “lidt mere tid”, it means an additional small amount beyond the time already given.

tid “tid” means “time” in “lidt mere tid”. It is the amount the speaker is advised to give the landlord before taking further action.

Grammar Points

-en som bestemt endelse

lejligheden

LIE-lee-heh-en

the apartment

Danish often marks a definite noun by adding -en to the noun instead of using a separate word like “the”.

Imperativ uden subjekt

Vent!

VENT

Wait!

The imperative uses the verb form alone; the subject “you” is normally omitted.

Danish Vocabulary

ekstranøgle noun

EK-strah-NUR-luh spare key

Gender: common

hjælp noun

YELB help

inde adv

EN-uh inside

kontakte verb

kun-TAHG-duh contact

lejlighed noun

LIE-lee-heh-th apartment lejligheden

Gender: common

lægge verb

LEHG-uh leave; put lagt

låsesmed noun

LOH-suh-SMEH-th locksmith

Gender: common

låst ude phrase

LOST OO-theh locked out

Jeg er låst ude.

prøve verb

PRURV try Prøv

ringe efter phrase

RENG EF-ter call for Ring efter

snart adv

SNAHD soon

udlejer noun

oo-TH-LIE-er landlord udlejeren

Gender: common

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Try the landlord first.

Show Answer

Prøv først at kontakte udlejeren.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

spare key

Show Answer

ekstranøgle

apartment

Show Answer

lejligheden

contact

Show Answer

kontakte

try

Show Answer

Prøv