Managing a delay while waiting in line | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Managing a delay while waiting in line to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Det virker stadig, som om der er lang tid, til det bliver min tur.

deh VEHR-guh STAY-thee, sohm ohm dair air lahng tee, tehl deh BLEE-uh men toor. My turn still seems a long way off.

Jeg skal være et andet sted snart.

yai skel VAIR-uh ed AN-uhth stayd snaad. I need to be somewhere else soon.

Lad mig forklare, hvordan køen bevæger sig, før du beslutter, om du vil blive.

lah MY fo-KLAIR-uh, VOH-dan KUR-en beh-VAIR-uh sye, fohr doo beh-SLOO-duh, ohm doo vel BLEE-uh. Let me explain how the queue is moving before you decide whether to stay.

Bevæger den sig i et jævnt tempo?

beh-VAIR-uh den sye ee ed YEVNT TEHM-oh? Is it moving at a steady pace?

Tempoet er ujævnt i dag. Nogle henvendelser tager længere tid end forventet.

TEHM-poh-ed air oo-YEVNT ee day. NOH-luh HEN-ven-el-suh TAIR-uh LENG-uh tee en foh-VENG-ed. The pace is uneven today. Some requests are taking longer than expected.

Hvis jeg går væk et øjeblik, kan jeg så komme tilbage til den samme plads?

ves yai GOH vek ed OY-uh-bleg, kan yai soh KOH-muh beh-TAIR tehl deh SAM-uh pless? If I step away for a moment, can I come back to the same place?

Du kan kun beholde din plads, hvis du bliver tæt på køen.

doo kan KUN beh-HOL-duh deen pless, ves doo BLEE-uh ted poh KUR-en. You can only keep your place if you stay close to the line.

Så skal jeg beslutte, om det her kan vente.

soh skel yai beh-SLOO-duh, ohm deh hair kan VEN-tuh. Then I need to decide whether this can wait.

Hvis det er vigtigt at få denne service i dag, er det sikrere at blive tæt på køen.

ves deh air VEK-duh ad foh DEN-uh SAIR-vis ee day, air deh SEK-ruh-ruh ad BLEE-uh ted poh KUR-en. If this service is important today, staying close is the safer choice.

Jeg kan skrive til den anden person og forklare forsinkelsen.

yai kan SKREE-vuh tehl den AN-uhn per-SOHN oh fo-KLAIR-uh fo-SENG-el-sen. I can message the other person and explain the delay.

Det burde hjælpe dem med at forstå, hvorfor du er forsinket.

deh BOO-thuh YEL-buh dem mehth at foh-STOH, VOH-foh doo air fo-SENG-ed. That should help them understand why you are running late.

Word by Word

Det “Det” means “it” in “Det virker stadig” and acts as the subject of the impression being described. It is also used in “Det burde hjælpe dem” to refer back to the suggested action. This form is useful when referring to a situation or result without repeating it.

virker “virker” means “seems” in “Det virker stadig, som om der er lang tid”. It presents an impression rather than a certain fact and is followed here by “som om” and a clause. Use it when describing how something appears to you.

stadig “stadig” means “still” in “Det virker stadig, som om der er lang tid”. It shows that the situation continues to be true now. It commonly appears with a verb to describe an ongoing situation or impression.

som “som” contributes “as” in the expression “som om”, which introduces the impression that follows. In this dialogue, “som om der er lang tid” means “as if there is a long time”. Use “som om” when describing something that appears to be the case without presenting it as certain.

om “om” contributes “if” or “whether” in the expression “som om”, meaning “as if”. It also introduces alternatives or indirect questions in “om du vil blive” and “om det her kan vente”. Use it before a clause when the issue is whether something is true or will happen.

der “der” is the existential marker in “som om der er lang tid”; it introduces the idea that a quantity of time exists. It does not refer to a specific place in this sentence. Use this form in constructions that state that something is present or exists.

er “er” means “is” in “der er lang tid” and “er vigtigt”. In “der er lang tid”, it states that a long amount of time remains, while in “er vigtigt” it links something with its importance. This is the present form used for a current state or situation.

lang “lang” means “long” in “der er lang tid”. It describes the amount of time before the speaker’s turn. It commonly appears before “tid” when describing duration.

tid “tid” means “time” in “der er lang tid”. Here it refers to the amount of waiting time before the speaker’s turn. It is useful in expressions about how long something takes or how much time remains.

til “til” means “until” in “til det bliver min tur”. It marks the point in time when the speaker’s turn arrives. Use it before a time point or event that marks the end of a wait.

bliver “bliver” means “becomes” in “det bliver min tur”; the expression says that it will become the speaker’s turn. It follows “det” in this construction and connects the waiting period with the coming turn. Use it when a situation changes into a new state.

min “min” means “my” in “min tur”. It identifies the turn as belonging to the speaker. It is used directly before the noun whose ownership or association is being specified.

tur “tur” means “turn” in “det bliver min tur”. It refers to the moment when the speaker is served or is next to act in the queue. Use it when talking about whose turn it is in an ordered activity.

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” in “Jeg skal være et andet sted snart” and “Jeg kan skrive”. It identifies the speaker as the subject of the sentence. This capitalized form appears at the beginning of a sentence; the same pronoun also appears as “jeg” after another word.

skal “skal” expresses “need to” in “Jeg skal være et andet sted snart”. It presents being somewhere else as an obligation or planned necessity. It is followed here by the infinitive “være”, and this pattern is useful for stating what someone needs or is expected to do.

være “være” means “be” in “skal være et andet sted”. It describes the location where the speaker needs to be. After “skal”, it appears in this infinitive form.

et “et” means “a” in “et andet sted”. It introduces the singular noun “sted” and forms the phrase “another place”. Use it before a noun in this type of phrase when the noun takes this article.

andet “andet” means “another” or “different” in “et andet sted”. It distinguishes the required location from the speaker’s current location. It appears between “et” and “sted” in this reusable location phrase.

sted “sted” means “place” in “et andet sted”. It refers to a different location where the speaker needs to be. It can be used after a determiner and a describing word to name a location.

snart “snart” means “soon” in “et andet sted snart”. It indicates that the speaker needs to be there in the near future. Use it to add a short future time frame to a statement about an action or situation.

Lad “Lad” means “let” in “Lad mig forklare”. It is used to make a suggestion that the speaker should be allowed to explain something. This form commonly appears at the beginning of a request or offer involving “mig”.

mig “mig” means “me” in “Lad mig forklare”. It identifies the person who will do the explaining. In this construction, it follows “Lad” and comes before the action that the speaker offers to perform.

forklare “forklare” means “explain” in “Lad mig forklare”. It names the action the speaker offers to carry out. After “Lad mig”, it appears before the information introduced by “hvordan”.

hvordan “hvordan” means “how” in “hvordan køen bevæger sig”. It introduces an explanation of the way the queue is moving. Use it to begin a clause that explains how an action or process happens.

køen “køen” means “the queue” in “hvordan køen bevæger sig”. The ending shows that the dialogue refers to the specific queue they are discussing. It is the subject of the movement described by “bevæger sig”.

bevæger “bevæger” means “moves” in “køen bevæger sig” and “Bevæger den sig”. Together with “sig”, it describes the queue making progress through the line. Use this form with “sig” when describing how something moves or progresses.

sig “sig” is the reflexive element in “køen bevæger sig” and “Bevæger den sig”. It connects the movement back to the thing that is moving, so the expression means that the queue moves or progresses. It is used here directly after the subject and verb in the question form.

før “før” means “before” in “før du beslutter”. It places the explanation before the listener makes a decision. Use it before a clause describing an event that must happen earlier.

du “du” means “you” in “før du beslutter” and “Du kan kun beholde”. It identifies the person being addressed. The capitalized form “Du” appears at the beginning of a sentence, while “du” appears inside one.

beslutter “beslutter” means “decide” in “før du beslutter”. It describes the listener’s choice about whether to remain in the queue. It is followed by the issue being decided, introduced by “om” in “om du vil blive”.

vil “vil” means “want to” in “om du vil blive”. It expresses the listener’s willingness or intention to stay. It is followed by the verb “blive”, a useful pattern when discussing whether someone intends to do something.

blive “blive” means “stay” or “remain” in “om du vil blive”. It describes remaining in the queue rather than leaving it. After “vil”, it appears in this infinitive form.

den “den” refers to the queue in “Bevæger den sig” and means “it”. In “den samme plads”, it helps specify “the same place”. Use this form either as a pronoun referring to the queue or as part of a specific noun phrase.

i “i” means “at” in “i et jævnt tempo” and “in” as part of the time expression “i dag”. In the first phrase it describes the manner or pace of movement; in the second it marks the day being discussed. Its meaning depends on the expression it forms with the following words.

jævnt “jævnt” means “steady” or “even” in “i et jævnt tempo”. It describes movement that proceeds without notable changes in speed. Use it before a noun such as “tempo” when describing a regular pace.

tempo “tempo” means “pace” in “i et jævnt tempo”. It refers to how quickly the queue is moving. It commonly appears with a describing word when someone evaluates whether progress is regular or changing.

Tempoet “Tempoet” means “the pace” in “Tempoet er ujævnt i dag”. It refers to the specific speed of the queue’s progress. The form is used as the subject of a sentence describing that pace.

ujævnt “ujævnt” means “uneven” in “Tempoet er ujævnt i dag”. It says that the pace changes rather than staying regular. Use it after a form of “er” to describe an irregular pace or process.

dag “dag” means “day” in the expression “i dag”, which means “today”. Here it limits the description of the uneven pace to the current day. Use “i dag” when locating an event or condition in today’s time period.

Nogle “Nogle” means “some” in “Nogle henvendelser”. It indicates that only part of the requests are taking longer. It is placed before the plural noun it limits.

henvendelser “henvendelser” means “requests” or “inquiries” in “Nogle henvendelser tager længere tid”. It refers to the matters being handled in the queue. The word is used as the subject of an expression describing how much time they require.

tager “tager” means “take” in “henvendelser tager længere tid”. It contributes the idea that the requests require a certain amount of time. This form is useful in expressions describing how much time an activity or matter requires.

længere “længere” means “longer” in “tager længere tid end forventet”. It compares the actual time required with an expected amount. It commonly appears with “tid” and a comparison introduced by “end”.

end “end” means “than” in “længere tid end forventet”. It introduces the standard used for the comparison. Use it after a comparative form such as “længere” when comparing duration or another property.

forventet “forventet” means “expected” in “end forventet”. It refers to the amount of time people had anticipated. This expression is useful when the actual result differs from what was expected.

Hvis “Hvis” means “if” in “Hvis jeg går væk et øjeblik”. It introduces a condition about the speaker stepping away. Use it at the beginning of a conditional clause before the situation that may affect the result.

går “går” means “go” or “walk” in “går væk”. Together with “væk”, it describes the speaker moving away from the queue. It is useful for describing someone leaving a place temporarily or permanently, depending on the context.

væk “væk” means “away” in “går væk”. It shows movement away from the current position. It commonly follows a movement verb when the destination is described as away from the speaker’s present location.

øjeblik “øjeblik” means “moment” in “et øjeblik”. It describes a short period during which the speaker may step away. Use it with a determiner when referring to a brief amount of time.

kan “kan” means “can” in “kan jeg så komme tilbage”. It asks whether returning to the same place is possible or allowed. It is followed by the subject and an infinitive, as in “komme tilbage”.

så “så” means “then” or “so” in “kan jeg så komme tilbage” and “Så skal jeg beslutte”. It links a condition or conclusion to what follows. Use it when drawing a consequence or moving to the next decision in a conversation.

komme “komme” means “come” in “komme tilbage til den samme plads”. Together with “tilbage”, it describes returning to the queue position. It follows “kan” in this question and appears in the infinitive form.

tilbage “tilbage” means “back” in “komme tilbage”. It shows that the movement is a return to an earlier position. Use it after a movement verb when someone returns to a place or situation.

samme “samme” means “same” in “den samme plads”. It shows that the returning person wants the identical queue position, not merely another place. It appears before the noun it identifies.

plads “plads” means “place” or “spot” in “den samme plads”. In this dialogue, it refers specifically to the person’s position in the queue. Use it when talking about keeping or returning to a particular physical position.

kun “kun” means “only” in “kun beholde din plads”. It limits the condition under which the person can keep the queue position. It is useful for emphasizing that no other condition or option is being included.

beholde “beholde” means “keep” or “retain” in “beholde din plads”. It describes continuing to have the same position in the queue. It follows “kan” and takes the object “din plads”.

din “din” means “your” in “din plads”. It identifies the queue position as belonging to the person being addressed. It is placed directly before the noun it specifies.

tæt “tæt” means “close” in “bliver tæt på køen”. It describes staying near the queue rather than stepping far away. It forms the location expression “tæt på” with the following words.

på “på” means “near” in “tæt på køen”. Together with “tæt”, it expresses physical closeness to the queue. Use it as part of the reusable expression “tæt på” when describing proximity.

her “her” means “this” in “det her”. The expression refers to the matter currently being discussed, namely the situation or obligation that may need to wait. Use “det her” to point to a present matter in an informal conversation.

vente “vente” means “wait” in “det her kan vente”. The phrase says that the matter can be postponed while the speaker remains in the queue. After “kan”, it appears in the infinitive form.

vigtigt “vigtigt” means “important” in “det er vigtigt at få denne service i dag”. It evaluates receiving the service as significant for today. It is followed here by the action that is considered important, introduced by “at”.

at “at” is the infinitive marker in “at få denne service”. It introduces the action connected with “vigtigt”. Use it before an infinitive when describing an action that is important, necessary, or otherwise evaluated.

få “få” means “get” or “receive” in “at få denne service”. It describes obtaining the service from the place where the person is waiting. It follows the infinitive marker “at” and takes “denne service” as its object.

denne “denne” means “this” in “denne service”. It identifies the particular service the speaker wants to receive today. It appears directly before the noun it specifies.

service “service” means “service” in “denne service”. It refers to the assistance or procedure the person is waiting to receive. It functions as the object of “få” in the phrase “få denne service”.

sikrere “sikrere” means “safer” in “er det sikrere at blive tæt på køen”. It compares staying close with the alternative of stepping away and presents staying as the less risky choice. It is used with “er” and followed by the action being evaluated.

skrive “skrive” means “write” or, in this context, “message” in “skrive til den anden person”. It describes contacting the other person in writing to explain the delay. The construction uses “skrive til” before the person being contacted.

anden “anden” means “other” in “den anden person”. It distinguishes this person from the speaker or from the person in the current conversation. It appears before the noun “person” inside the full noun phrase.

person “person” means “person” in “den anden person”. It identifies the individual whom the speaker can contact. Here it is the object of the preposition “til” in “skrive til den anden person”.

og “og” means “and” in “skrive til den anden person og forklare forsinkelsen”. It joins two actions performed by the speaker: sending a message and explaining the delay. Use it to connect coordinated words, phrases, or actions.

forsinkelsen “forsinkelsen” means “the delay” in “forklare forsinkelsen”. It refers to the delay that the speaker needs to explain to the other person. The form identifies a specific delay already understood from the situation.

burde “burde” means “should” in “Det burde hjælpe dem”. It expresses an expectation that the message will probably help the other people understand. It is followed by the infinitive “hjælpe” and is useful when predicting a likely or desirable result.

hjælpe “hjælpe” means “help” in “Det burde hjælpe dem med at forstå”. It describes the expected effect of the message. The reusable construction here is “hjælpe nogen med at” followed by the action that becomes easier.

dem “dem” means “them” in “hjælpe dem med at forstå”. It identifies the people who are expected to gain understanding from the message. It appears after “hjælpe” as the people receiving that help.

med “med” means “with” in “hjælpe dem med at forstå”. Together with “hjælpe”, it introduces the action that the people will be helped to carry out. Use the construction “hjælpe nogen med at” for describing assistance with an action.

forstå “forstå” means “understand” in “hjælpe dem med at forstå”. It names the understanding that the message is expected to support. It follows “med at” in this construction and remains in the infinitive form.

hvorfor “hvorfor” means “why” in “hvorfor du er forsinket”. It introduces the reason for the listener’s delay. Use it to begin a clause explaining the cause of a situation or action.

forsinket “forsinket” means “late” or “delayed” in “du er forsinket”. It describes the person’s current failure to arrive or act on time. It follows “er” and explains the reason that the other person needs to be contacted.

Grammar Points

jævn → jævnt som adverb

Køen bevæger sig jævnt.

KUR-en beh-VAIR-uh sye YEVNT.

The queue moves steadily.

jævnt is the adverbial form of jævn and describes how the queue moves.

sikker → sikrere

Det er sikrere at vente.

deh air SEK-ruh-ruh ad VEN-tuh.

It is safer to wait.

The comparative form adds -ere: sikker becomes sikrere, meaning “safer”.

Danish Vocabulary

andet sted phrase

AN-uhth stay somewhere else

beslutte verb

beh-SLOO-duh decide beslutter

bevæge sig verb

beh-VAIR-uh sye move bevæger sig

blive verb

BLEE-uh stay; remain

forklare verb

fo-KLAIR-uh explain

jævn adj

YEVN steady; even jævnt

Gender: neuter

kø noun

KUR queue køen

Gender: common

lang tid phrase

lahng tee a long time

snart adv

snaad soon

stadig adv

STAY-thee still

tur noun

toor turn

Gender: common

virke verb

VEHR-guh seem virker

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

seem

Show Answer

virker

soon

Show Answer

snart

explain

Show Answer

forklare

still

Show Answer

stadig