Troubleshooting a washing machine | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Troubleshooting a washing machine to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Vaskemaskinen stoppede midt i programmet.

VAH-skeh-mah-SHEE-nən STOOB-deh METH ee proh-GRAHM-uh. The washing machine stopped halfway through the cycle.

Er der en advarsel på skærmen?

AIR dair en AH-thvah-səl poh SGAIR-men? Is there a warning on the screen?

Der står, at filteret måske er blokeret.

Dair STOHR, ehd FEL-tuh-ruth MOHS-keh air bloh-KEH-ruth. It says the filter may be blocked.

Tjek manualen, før du prøver tilfældige knapper.

CHEK mah-NOO-uh-lən, fur doo PROO-uh TIL-fel-dee-uh KNAH-buh. Check the manual before trying random buttons.

Manualen siger, at jeg skal rense filteret forsigtigt.

mah-NOO-uh-lən SEE-uh, ehd yai skal REN-suh FEL-tuh-ruth foh-SIGT. The manual says I should clean the filter carefully.

Så tag stikket ud af maskinen, før du rører ved noget.

Soh tair STEH-guh OO ah mah-SHEE-nən, fur doo RUR-uh vay NOH-uth. Then unplug the machine before you touch anything.

Bagefter, skal jeg genstarte programmet?

BAI-ehf-tuh, skal yai gen-STAR-duh proh-GRAHM-uh? After that, should I restart the cycle?

Genstart det én gang, men kontakt serviceafdelingen, hvis advarslen kommer igen.

gen-STAR-ded ayn GAHNG, men kun-TAHGT SUR-viss-uh-ahf-deh-LENG-en, ves AH-thvah-shlən KUM-uh ee-GEN. Restart it once, but contact maintenance if the warning returns.

Jeg følger de sikre trin først.

YAI FUR-luh dee SEE-gruh treen FURST. I will follow the safe steps first.

Enkel fejlfinding er nyttig, men risiker ikke at beskadige maskinen.

ENG-əl FYLE-fen-eng air NUR-tee, men ree-SEE-guh IK-uh ehd beh-SGAI-thuh mah-SHEE-nən. Simple troubleshooting is useful, but do not risk damaging the machine.

Word by Word

Vaskemaskinen “Vaskemaskinen” means “the washing machine” and is the machine that stopped in the dialogue. It is the definite form used when referring to this specific machine. The form is useful when discussing a particular appliance, as in “Vaskemaskinen stoppede”.

stoppede “Stoppede” means “stopped” here and describes what the washing machine did during the cycle. It is the past form used for an action that has already happened. Use it with the thing that stopped, as in “Vaskemaskinen stoppede”.

midt “Midt” means “the middle” in “midt i programmet”, describing the point halfway through the cycle. The reusable pattern is “midt i” followed by what is in the middle of. In this situation, it identifies when the machine stopped.

i “I” means “in” as part of “midt i programmet”, locating the stopping point within the cycle. It commonly connects an action or position with a place, period, or activity. Here it is used before “programmet”.

programmet “Programmet” means “the cycle” or “the program” and refers to the washing-machine cycle. It is the definite form used for the specific program already being discussed. It follows “i” in “midt i programmet”.

Er “Er” means “is” or “are” in the question “Er der en advarsel på skærmen?”. Together with “der”, it asks whether something exists or is present. A useful question pattern is “Er der ...?” when checking for something.

der “Der” contributes the existential meaning “there” in “Er der en advarsel ...?”, asking whether a warning is present. It also appears in “Der står ...” to introduce what is written or displayed. These patterns are useful when asking about or reporting information that is present.

en “En” means “a” or “an” before “advarsel”, introducing one unspecified warning. It is used before a singular common-gender noun in this phrase. The exact reusable phrase is “en advarsel”.

advarsel “Advarsel” means “warning” and refers to the message on the machine’s screen. It is used here as an unspecified warning after “en”. The phrase “en advarsel på skærmen” is useful when describing a warning displayed on a screen.

på “På” means “on” in “på skærmen”, identifying where the warning appears. It is used with the screen as the surface or display showing the message. The exact reusable phrase is “på skærmen”.

skærmen “Skærmen” means “the screen” and refers to the machine’s display. It is the definite form used for the specific screen being checked. It follows “på” in “på skærmen”.

står “Står” means “says” or “is written” in “Der står, at ...”, referring to information shown in writing. This usage reports the content of a display or document rather than describing someone speaking. A useful pattern is “Der står, at ...”.

at “At” means “that” and introduces the clause containing what the screen says. In “at filteret måske er blokeret”, it connects the reporting expression with the reported information. The same linking function appears after “siger” in “Manualen siger, at ...”.

filteret “Filteret” means “the filter” and refers to the part of the machine that may be blocked. It is the definite form for this specific filter. It is also the object in “rense filteret” when the filter is cleaned.

måske “Måske” means “maybe” and shows that the blocked condition is uncertain. In “filteret måske er blokeret”, it qualifies the information reported on the screen. It is useful when presenting a possibility rather than a confirmed fact.

blokeret “Blokeret” means “blocked” and describes the possible state of the filter. It appears after “er” in “filteret måske er blokeret”. This form is useful for reporting that a passage, part, or system cannot work because it is blocked.

Tjek “Tjek” means “check” and is an instruction to examine the manual. It is the command form in “Tjek manualen”. Use it before the thing that should be checked.

manualen “Manualen” means “the manual” and refers to the machine’s instruction manual. It is the definite form because the relevant manual is known in the conversation. It is the object in “Tjek manualen” and the subject in “Manualen siger ...”.

før “Før” means “before” and introduces the action that should happen later: “før du prøver tilfældige knapper”. It connects a main instruction with a preceding safety or timing condition. Use it before a clause describing what must not happen yet.

du “Du” means “you” and identifies the person who should try the buttons or touch something. It is the subject in “du prøver” and “du rører”. It is commonly placed before the verb in a clause such as “før du prøver ...”.

prøver “Prøver” means “try” in the instruction about trying buttons. It describes an attempt to operate or test something. Here it is followed by the object “tilfældige knapper”.

tilfældige “Tilfældige” means “random” and describes the buttons being tried without following a specific instruction. It comes before “knapper” in “tilfældige knapper”. This pattern is useful when describing objects selected without a planned order.

knapper “Knapper” means “buttons” and refers to the machine controls. It is the object of “prøver” in “prøver tilfældige knapper”. The word is useful when discussing which controls on a device someone operates.

siger “Siger” means “says” in “Manualen siger, at ...”, reporting the instruction or information given by the manual. It introduces the content that follows. A useful pattern is “siger, at ...” when reporting what a person or document states.

jeg “Jeg” means “I” and identifies the speaker who will clean the filter, restart the program, and follow the steps. It is the subject of these actions. The dialogue uses it in “jeg skal rense” and “Jeg følger ...”.

skal “Skal” expresses what the speaker should or must do in “jeg skal rense filteret”. It is followed by the infinitive “rense” to state the required action. The reusable pattern is “skal + action”, as in “skal rense”.

rense “Rense” means “clean” and is the action the manual instructs the speaker to perform on the filter. It follows “skal” in “skal rense filteret”. The exact reusable phrase is “rense filteret”.

forsigtigt “Forsigtigt” means “carefully” and describes how the filter should be cleaned. It modifies the action in “rense filteret forsigtigt”. This is useful when giving instructions for handling a part safely.

Så “Så” means “then” and marks the next step after reading the manual and cleaning carefully. It introduces the instruction “Så tag stikket ud af maskinen”. It is useful for ordering practical instructions.

tag “Tag” means “take” in the safety instruction “tag stikket ud af maskinen”, where it contributes to the meaning of unplugging the machine. The full construction, not “tag” alone, tells the listener to remove the plug. The exact reusable construction is “tag stikket ud af maskinen”.

stikket “Stikket” means “the plug” and is the object that must be removed from the machine. It is the definite form referring to the relevant electrical plug. It appears in “tag stikket ud af maskinen”.

ud “Ud” means “out” and marks the outward removal of the plug in “tag stikket ud”. It works with the rest of the construction to express unplugging. The exact reusable phrase is “stikket ud af maskinen”.

af “Af” means “from” or “out of” and identifies the source from which the plug is removed. In “ud af maskinen”, it connects the movement outward with the machine. The pattern “ud af” is useful when something is removed from a place or object.

maskinen “Maskinen” means “the machine” and refers to the washing machine. It is the definite form for the specific machine in the conversation. In “ud af maskinen”, it is the thing from which the plug is removed.

rører “Rører” means “touch” in “du rører ved noget”, describing physical contact with an object. It is used together with “ved” in this construction. The exact reusable pattern is “rører ved + something”.

ved “Ved” is part of the expression “rører ved noget”, which means “touches something”. It connects the touching action with the object being touched. Keep it with “rører” when using this meaning.

noget “Noget” refers to “anything” or “something” in “du rører ved noget”, meaning any object that might be touched. It leaves the object unspecified. The phrase “rører ved noget” is useful when the particular object does not need to be named.

Bagefter “Bagefter” means “afterwards” and refers to the time after the preceding safety step. It introduces the question “Bagefter, skal jeg genstarte programmet?”. It is useful for asking or stating what happens after an earlier action.

genstarte “Genstarte” means “restart” and describes starting the washing program again. It follows “skal” in “skal jeg genstarte programmet?”. The exact reusable pattern is “genstarte programmet”.

Genstart “Genstart” means “restart” as a direct instruction to restart the program. It is used at the beginning of “Genstart det én gang”. The command is followed by the thing to be restarted.

det “Det” means “it” and refers back to the program in “Genstart det én gang”. It avoids repeating the noun after the instruction. It is used as the object after “Genstart”.

gang “Gang” means “time” or “occasion” in “én gang”, specifying one repetition of the restart. The reusable pattern is a number followed by “gang” to state how many times something happens. Here, “én gang” means once.

men “Men” means “but” and contrasts restarting once with contacting maintenance if the warning returns. It joins the two parts of the instruction in “én gang, men kontakt ...”. Use it to introduce an opposing or limiting instruction.

kontakt “Kontakt” means “contact” and is an instruction to get in touch with the maintenance department. It is the command form in “kontakt serviceafdelingen”. Use it before the person or department to be contacted.

serviceafdelingen “Serviceafdelingen” means “the maintenance department” and identifies the department to contact if the problem continues. It is the definite form for the relevant service department. It is the object in “kontakt serviceafdelingen”.

hvis “Hvis” means “if” and introduces the condition for contacting maintenance: “hvis advarslen kommer igen”. It links a possible future event with the required response. It is useful for giving conditional instructions.

advarslen “Advarslen” means “the warning” and refers to the specific warning already mentioned on the screen. It is the definite form of “advarsel”. In “advarslen kommer igen”, it is the warning that may reappear.

kommer “Kommer” means “comes” or, in this context, “returns” when used with “igen”. It describes the warning appearing again in “advarslen kommer igen”. This pattern is useful when a message or problem reappears.

igen “Igen” means “again” and shows that the warning has appeared before and may return. It completes the expression “kommer igen”. Use it to mark a repeated event.

følger “Følger” means “follow” in “Jeg følger de sikre trin først”, referring to carrying out the recommended steps. It describes the speaker’s action of adhering to an ordered procedure. The phrase “følger de sikre trin” is useful when following instructions.

de “De” means “the” before the plural noun phrase “de sikre trin”. It identifies a specific set of steps already understood in the situation. The exact reusable phrase is “de sikre trin”.

sikre “Sikre” means “safe” and describes the steps as safe to follow. It comes before “trin” in “de sikre trin”. This pattern is useful when qualifying a set of actions or procedures.

trin “Trin” means “steps” and refers to the ordered actions for dealing with the washing-machine problem. It appears in the phrase “de sikre trin”. The word is useful when describing a procedure with several actions.

først “Først” means “first” and gives priority to following the safe steps before doing anything else. It comes at the end of “Jeg følger de sikre trin først”. It is useful for marking the first action in a sequence.

Enkel “Enkel” means “simple” and describes the troubleshooting as uncomplicated. It modifies “fejlfinding” in “Enkel fejlfinding er nyttig”. This pattern is useful when describing the level or complexity of a procedure.

fejlfinding “Fejlfinding” means “troubleshooting” and refers to finding and addressing the cause of the machine warning. It is the subject of “er nyttig”. The exact phrase “Enkel fejlfinding” describes basic problem-solving steps.

nyttig “Nyttig” means “useful” and evaluates simple troubleshooting positively. It appears after “er” in “Enkel fejlfinding er nyttig”. It is useful for describing an action, method, or resource that helps with a problem.

risiker “Risiker” means “risk” in the warning “risiker ikke at beskadige maskinen”. Together with “ikke”, it tells the listener not to expose the machine to possible damage. The exact reusable pattern is “risiker ikke at beskadige maskinen”.

ikke “Ikke” means “not” and negates the instruction in “risiker ikke ...”. It changes the positive risk instruction into a prohibition. It is placed after the command verb in this sentence.

beskadige “Beskadige” means “damage” and names the harmful action that must not be risked. It follows “at” in “at beskadige maskinen”. The construction “risiker ikke at beskadige maskinen” is used when warning someone not to cause damage.

Grammar Points

Imperativ: verbets stamme

Tjek filteret.

CHEK FEL-tuh-ruth.

Check the filter.

The Danish imperative usually uses the verb stem without a subject, such as Tjek from tjekke.

Prøv at + infinitiv

Prøv at rense filteret forsigtigt.

PROO ehd REN-suh FEL-tuh-ruth foh-SIGT.

Try to clean the filter carefully.

After Prøv, use at plus the infinitive to express an attempt to do something.

Danish Vocabulary

advarsel noun

AH-thvah-səl warning

Gender: common

blokere verb

bloh-KEH-ruh to block blokeret

filter noun

FEL-tuh filter filteret

Gender: neuter

manual noun

mah-NOO-uhl manual manualen

Gender: common

midt i prep

METH ee in the middle of

måske adv

MOHS-keh perhaps; maybe

program noun

proh-GRAHM cycle; program programmet

Gender: neuter

skærm noun

SGAIRM screen skærmen

Gender: common

stoppe verb

STOOB-uh to stop stoppede

stå verb

STOHR to say; to state in writing står

tjekke verb

CHEK-uh to check Tjek

vaskemaskine noun

VAH-skeh-mah-SHEE-nuh washing machine Vaskemaskinen

Gender: common

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The washing machine stopped halfway through the cycle.

Show Answer

Vaskemaskinen stoppede midt i programmet.

Is there a warning on the screen?

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Er der en advarsel på skærmen?

After that, should I restart the cycle?

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Bagefter, skal jeg genstarte programmet?

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

perhaps; maybe

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måske

warning

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advarsel

screen

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skærmen

cycle; program

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programmet