Managing expired food in a shared fridge | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Managing expired food in a shared fridge to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Der er mad, der er udløbet, i fælleskøleskabet igen.

Dair ah math, dair ah OOTH-luh-bet, ee FEL-uhs-KUHR-leh-sgab-uh ee-YEN. There's expired food in the shared fridge again.

Det kan blive et hygiejneproblem, hvis den bliver stående der meget længere.

Deh kan BLEE-vuh et hoo-yee-AY-nuh-proh-BLEM, ves den BLEE-vuh STOH-uh-nuh dair MAY-uh LENG-uh. It could become a hygiene problem if it sits there much longer.

Nogle beholdere er ikke mærket, så ingen ved, hvem der ejer dem.

NOH-luh beh-HOH-luh ah EG-uh MAIR-guhd, soh EE-nuh vay, vem dair EYE-uh dem. Some containers aren't labeled, so nobody knows who owns them.

Vi bør sætte en besked op og bede folk om at skrive deres navne og datoer på.

Vee buhr SET-uh en beh-SKAY ohp ohg BAY-uh folk ohm at SKREE-vuh dair NAH-vuh ohg DAH-toh-ah poh. We should post a notice asking people to add their names and dates.

Skal vi smide alt ud, der er mere end en uge gammelt?

Skal vee SMEE-thuh alt OOTH, dair ah MAY-uh en OO-guh GAM-uhlt? Should we throw away anything older than a week?

Først når vi har givet alle en klar frist.

FURST nohr vee hah GEE-vuh AL-uh en klahr FREST. Only after we give everyone a clear deadline.

Måske kan vi foreslå en ugentlig oprydning i gruppechatten.

MOH-sguh kan vee foh-uh-SLOH en OO-uhnt-lee OP-rooth-ning ee GROO-puh-chat-en. Maybe we can suggest a weekly cleanout in the group chat.

Det ville gøre den ugentlige oprydning forudsigelig i stedet for pludselig.

Deh VEL-uh GUR-uh den OO-uhnt-lee OP-rooth-ning foh-uh-SEE-uh-lee ee STAY-uhd fohr PLOOTH-slee. That would make the weekly cleanout predictable instead of sudden.

Folk kan rydde deres hylder før rengøringsdagen.

Folk kan RUTH-uh dair HUL-ah fur RANG-uh-rings-dah-en. People can clear their shelves before cleaning day.

Det burde gøre det fair og sikkert for alle at bruge køleskabet.

Deh BOO-uh GUR-uh deh fair oh SAY-guhd fohr AL-uh at BROO-uh KUHR-leh-sgab-uh. That should make fridge use fair and safe for everyone.

Word by Word

Der In “Der er”, this form introduces the existence of something: there is food in the fridge. In “der er udløbet”, it links “mad” to the description that it has expired. Reuse “Der er” when stating that something is present somewhere.

er Here “er” says that something exists or has a particular state, as in “Der er mad” and “er ikke mærket”. It is commonly used with a noun or description after it, such as “er + description”.

mad “mad” means food here, specifically the food found in the shared fridge. It can be used with a description in “mad, der er udløbet” to identify food that has expired.

udløbet “udløbet” means expired in “mad, der er udløbet”; it describes food whose usable period has ended. The reusable pattern is “er udløbet” for saying that something has expired.

i “i” places the food inside the shared fridge in “i fælleskøleskabet”. Use “i” before a place when saying that something is in or inside it.

fælleskøleskabet “fælleskøleskabet” means the shared fridge in this dialogue. It names the common refrigerator and appears after “i” in “i fælleskøleskabet”, a useful location phrase.

igen “igen” means again and shows that the expired food has appeared in the shared fridge another time. It can be placed after the main information to mark repetition, as in “Der er ... igen”.

Det In “Det kan blive”, “Det” means it and refers to the situation involving the food. It is useful as a subject when the situation has already been mentioned, as in “Det kan ...”.

kan “kan” expresses possibility in “kan blive”: the situation may become a hygiene problem. It is followed here by the verb form “blive”, and “kan + verb” is a reusable way to describe what may happen.

blive “blive” means become in “kan blive et hygiejneproblem”. It describes a change into a new state and follows “kan” in this construction.

et “et” is the indefinite article before “hygiejneproblem”, giving the meaning a hygiene problem. Use “et” before a singular noun phrase of this type, as in “et + noun”.

hygiejneproblem “hygiejneproblem” means hygiene problem and names the possible consequence of leaving the food there. It is used after “blive” in “blive et hygiejneproblem” to describe what the situation could turn into.

hvis “hvis” introduces the condition “if it sits there much longer”. It is useful for connecting a possible result with the condition that could cause it, as in “hvis ...”.

den In “hvis den bliver stående”, “den” means it and refers back to the food. It is used as the subject of the condition, followed here by “bliver stående”.

bliver In “bliver stående”, “bliver” means stays or remains rather than simply becomes. The reusable construction “bliver + state” describes something continuing in a particular condition.

stående In “bliver stående”, “stående” contributes the idea of remaining standing or in place. Together with “bliver”, it describes food that remains there instead of being removed.

meget “meget” means much in “meget længere” and strengthens the idea of a longer period. Use it before “længere” when saying that something continues for much longer.

længere “længere” means longer in “meget længere”, referring to additional time that the food remains there. The phrase “meget længere” is useful when describing a considerable extension of time.

Nogle “Nogle” means some and introduces only part of the containers in “Nogle beholdere”. Use it before a plural noun when referring to an unspecified number of items.

beholdere “beholdere” means containers, the items whose ownership is unclear. It appears after “Nogle” in “Nogle beholdere”, a reusable pattern for identifying some containers.

ikke “ikke” makes the statement negative in “er ikke mærket”: the containers are not labeled. It is placed before the description being negated, as in “er ikke + description”.

mærket “mærket” means labeled in “er ikke mærket”. It describes the condition of the containers, and “er mærket” is a reusable way to say that something has a label.

så “så” means so and introduces the consequence that nobody knows who owns the containers. It connects a situation to its result, as in “..., så ...”.

ingen “ingen” means nobody or no one and is the subject of “ingen ved”. It is useful for saying that not a single person has the relevant knowledge.

ved “ved” means knows in “ingen ved, hvem der ejer dem”. It can be followed by information or a question clause, including the pattern “ved, hvem ...”.

hvem “hvem” means who and introduces the embedded question about ownership in “hvem der ejer dem”. Use it when identifying which person is involved in an action or relationship.

ejer “ejer” means owns in “hvem der ejer dem”. It identifies the person with ownership of the containers, and the pattern “hvem der ejer ...” asks who owns something.

dem “dem” means them and refers to the containers in “ejer dem”. It is used here as the object after the ownership verb.

Vi “Vi” means we and refers to the two people making the proposal. It is used as the subject in “Vi bør ...”, a practical pattern for discussing a shared action.

bør “bør” expresses advice or a recommended action in “Vi bør sætte en besked op”. It is followed by the verb form “sætte”, so “bør + verb” is useful for making a recommendation.

sætte In “sætte en besked op”, “sætte” contributes the idea of putting or placing something. The full construction means posting a notice, with “en besked” as the object and “op” completing the expression.

en “en” is the indefinite article before “besked”, giving the meaning a notice or a message. Use it before a singular noun phrase of this type, as in “en + noun”.

besked “besked” means notice or message here, specifically the notice they want to post for the group. It is the object in “sætte en besked op”, a useful expression for putting up a notice.

op In “sætte en besked op”, “op” completes the expression meaning to put up or post a notice. It should be understood together with “sætte” in this dialogue rather than as a separate action.

og “og” means and and joins the two proposed actions: posting a notice and asking people to write their information. Use it to connect words, phrases, or actions in the same statement.

bede In “bede folk om at skrive”, “bede” means ask or request. The construction names the people being asked with “folk” and the requested action with “om at + verb”.

folk “folk” means people in “bede folk om at skrive”. It identifies the group receiving the request, and the pattern “bede folk om at ...” is useful for asking people to do something.

om In “bede folk om at skrive”, “om” introduces the action being requested; it is part of the construction “bede ... om at ...”. Use it before “at” and the requested verb in this pattern.

at In “om at skrive”, “at” introduces the verb phrase describing what people are asked to do. The reusable pattern here is “om at + verb”, as in the request to write names and dates.

skrive “skrive” means write in “skrive deres navne og datoer på”. It describes the requested action and is used with the things being written and the surface they are written on.

deres “deres” means their and shows that the names and dates belong to the people being asked. It comes before the nouns in “deres navne og datoer”.

navne “navne” means names, one of the pieces of information people should write on their containers. It is coordinated with “datoer” in “deres navne og datoer”.

datoer “datoer” means dates, the other information requested for the containers. It is coordinated with “navne” after “deres” in “deres navne og datoer”.

på At the end of “skrive deres navne og datoer på”, “på” means on or onto and identifies the surface where the information should be written. A reusable pattern is “skrive [noget] på [en overflade]”.

Skal In the question “Skal vi smide ... ud?”, “Skal” asks whether the speakers should take the proposed action. Use “Skal vi + verb” when suggesting or checking a shared action.

smide In “smide alt ud”, “smide” contributes the action of throwing away. The full construction uses the object “alt” and the particle “ud” to express disposal.

alt “alt” means everything or anything here, referring to all food that is more than a week old. It functions as the object in “smide alt ud” and can introduce a broad quantity.

ud In “smide alt ud”, “ud” completes the expression meaning away or out. It works together with “smide” to show that the items are removed and discarded.

mere In “mere end en uge”, “mere” means more and forms a comparison of duration. The reusable pattern “mere end + amount of time” sets a threshold.

end In “mere end en uge”, “end” means than and introduces the amount used for comparison. It follows “mere” in the pattern “mere end + amount”.

uge “uge” means week in “mere end en uge”. It names the time period used as the age threshold for throwing food away.

gammelt “gammelt” means old in “mere end en uge gammelt”. It describes the age of the food referred to by “alt” and completes the pattern “mere end ... gammelt”.

Først At the start of “Først når vi har givet alle en klar frist”, “Først” emphasizes that the next action should happen only after the condition is met. The phrase “Først når ...” is useful for setting a required point in time.

når “når” means when or once and introduces the condition about giving everyone a deadline. Use it before a clause that states when another action can take place.

har In “har givet”, “har” helps express that the giving of the deadline has been completed before the next action. The pattern “har + completed action” is used here inside “når vi har givet ...”.

givet “givet” means given in “har givet alle en klar frist”. It describes providing the deadline, with “alle” as the recipients and “en klar frist” as what is given.

alle “alle” means everyone in “givet alle en klar frist”. It identifies all the people who should receive the deadline, and it can follow a verb that gives or communicates something to people.

klar “klar” means clear in “en klar frist”. It describes a deadline that is understandable and definite, and it comes before the noun it describes.

frist “frist” means deadline, the final time given to everyone before the food may be discarded. It appears in “give someone a deadline”, here expressed as “givet alle en klar frist”.

Måske “Måske” means maybe and softens the proposal in “Måske kan vi foreslå ...”. Use it at the beginning of a suggestion when presenting an idea without stating it too strongly.

foreslå “foreslå” means suggest in “foreslå en ugentlig oprydning”. It takes the proposed activity as its object, so “foreslå + activity” is a useful reuse pattern.

ugentlig “ugentlig” means weekly and describes the proposed cleanup in “en ugentlig oprydning”. It is placed before the noun to show that the activity happens every week.

oprydning “oprydning” means cleanout or cleanup here, referring to the regular removal and organization of food in the fridge. It is the object of “foreslå” and appears again in “den ugentlige oprydning”.

gruppechatten “gruppechatten” means the group chat in “i gruppechatten”. It names the shared messaging space where the suggestion can be posted, and “i + group chat” gives the location of the communication.

ville “ville” means would in “Det ville gøre ...” and presents the expected result of the proposed weekly cleanup. It is followed by “gøre”, so “ville + verb” is a reusable pattern for describing a possible result.

gøre In “gøre den ugentlige oprydning forudsigelig”, “gøre” means make or cause something to have a quality. It takes the cleanup as its object and the description “forudsigelig” as the resulting quality.

ugentlige “ugentlige” means weekly in “den ugentlige oprydning”. It describes the specific cleanup and appears between “den” and “oprydning”.

forudsigelig “forudsigelig” means predictable and describes the result that the weekly cleanup should have. It follows “gøre” in “gøre den ugentlige oprydning forudsigelig”.

i stedet for “i stedet for” means instead of and contrasts the predictable cleanup with a sudden one. In this exact expression, “i” introduces the relation, “stedet” is the place or alternative being referred to, and “for” introduces what is replaced; together they form one contrast phrase.

pludselig “pludselig” means sudden and describes a cleanup that happens without being predictable in advance. It appears after “i stedet for” to name the alternative being avoided.

rydde In “rydde deres hylder”, “rydde” means clear or tidy by removing things from the shelves. It is used with the object “deres hylder”, giving the reusable pattern “rydde + place or surface”.

hylder “hylder” means shelves, specifically the shelves people should clear before cleaning day. It is the object of “rydde” in “rydde deres hylder”.

før “før” means before and places clearing the shelves earlier than cleaning day. Use “før + event” to state that one action happens in advance of another.

rengøringsdagen “rengøringsdagen” means cleaning day, the day before which people should clear their shelves. It appears after “før” in the time expression “før rengøringsdagen”.

burde “burde” expresses what should reasonably result in “Det burde gøre ...”. It presents the expected benefit of the plan and is followed by “gøre” in the pattern “burde + verb”.

fair “fair” means fair in “gøre det fair ...” and describes fridge use as equitable for everyone. It is one of the qualities that the plan is expected to create.

sikkert “sikkert” means safe in “fair og sikkert”. It describes the expected safe use of the fridge and is coordinated with “fair” after “gøre det”.

for In “for alle”, “for” means for and identifies the people who benefit from fridge use being fair and safe. Use “for + people” to state who something is intended for or beneficial to.

bruge “bruge” means use in “at bruge køleskabet”. It describes the activity that should become fair and safe, and the pattern “at bruge + object” names an activity with its object.

køleskabet “køleskabet” means the fridge in “bruge køleskabet”. It is the object being used, and the definite form refers to the shared fridge already discussed.

Grammar Points

Bestemt ental med endelsen -et

fælleskøleskabet

FEL-uhs-KUHR-leh-sgab-uh

the shared fridge

Danish often marks a definite singular neuter noun with -et at the end of the word.

Sammensat udsagnsord med partikel

sætte en besked op

SET-uh en beh-SKAY ohp

put up a notice

The verb and particle together form one expression meaning “put up”; the particle is op.

Danish Vocabulary

bede verb

BAY-uh ask

beholdere noun

beh-HOH-luh-ruh containers

Gender: common

besked noun

beh-SKAY notice

Gender: common

blive verb

BLEE-vuh become

datoer noun

DAH-toh-ah dates

Gender: common

eje verb

EYE-uh own ejer

fælleskøleskabet noun

FEL-uhs-KUHR-leh-sgab-uh the shared fridge

Gender: neuter

hygiejneproblem noun

hoo-yee-AY-nuh-proh-BLEM hygiene problem

Gender: neuter

mærket adj

MAIR-guhd labeled

beholdere er ikke mærket

navne noun

NAH-vuh names

Gender: neuter

sætte op phrase

SET-uh ohp put up sætte en besked op

udløbet adj

OOTH-luh-bet expired

mad, der er udløbet

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

own

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ejer

notice

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besked

become

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blive

labeled

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mærket