Handling a seating issue politely | Learn Danish in English

Danish lesson set in a contemporary Copenhagen everyday setting: At a restaurant, a guest explains that a reserved table is too loud and a staff member offers a quieter corner table..

EN → DA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Handling a seating issue politely to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Vi reserverede et stille bord, men dette område er meget mere støjende end forventet.

Vee reh-zehr-VEH-uh-deh ehd STEL-uh bohr, men DEH-duh OH-moh-rthuh air MEH-uh STOY-uh-nuh en foh-VENT-uhd. We reserved a quiet table, but this area is much louder than expected.
B

Det beklager jeg; den del blev fyldt op tidligere, end vi havde forventet.

Deh beh-KLEH-uh yai; den del blehv filt OHP TEE-theh-lee-uh, en vee HAH-thuh foh-VENT-uhd. I'm sorry; that section filled up earlier than we expected.
A

Det bliver svært for vores gruppe at høre hinanden ved dette bord.

Deh BLEE-uh SVAIRD fohr VOH-uhs GROO-beh ehd HUR-uh hee-NAHN-en behd DEH-duh BOHR. This table will make it hard for our group to hear each other.
B

Jeg kan flytte jer til et hjørnebord, hvor der er mere plads omkring det.

Yai kan FLUR-tuh yair til ehd YUR-nuh-BOHR, vohr dah air MEH-uh pless ohm-KRAYNG deh. I can move you to a corner table that has more space around it.
A

Det ville hjælpe, så længe vores tjener stadig kan følge med os.

Deh VEL-uh YEL-beh, soh LANG-uh VOH-uhs CHAY-nuh STETH-ee kan FURL-guh mehth ohs. That would help, as long as our server can still keep up with us.
B

Den samme tjener dækker det hjørne, så betjeningen burde stadig gå som planlagt.

Den SAM-uh CHAY-nuh DEK-uh deh YUR-nuh, soh beh-CHAY-neh-ngen BOO-uh-thuh STETH-ee goh som plan-LAHGT. The same server covers that corner, so service should stay on track.
A

Så lad os flytte os, før alle sætter sig.

Soh lahd ohs FLUR-tuh ohs, fur AL-uh SET-uh sai. Then let's move before everyone sits down.
B

Jeg får bordet gjort klar igen nu.

Yai fohr BOHR-ehd yohrt klair ee-GAYN noo. I'll have the table reset now.

Word by Word

Vi “Vi” means “we” here and is the subject of “Vi reserverede”. It is used before the verb when the speaker refers to the group, as in “Vi reserverede et stille bord”. In this situation, a guest uses it to describe what their group did.
reserverede “Reserverede” means “reserved” in “Vi reserverede et stille bord”. It describes the group’s completed reservation and is the form used with “Vi” here. A reusable pattern is “Vi reserverede” followed by the thing that was reserved, such as “et stille bord” in this dialogue.
et “Et” means “a” or “one” before “stille bord” here. It introduces the singular item being described, and “et stille bord” means “a quiet table”. Use “et” with the noun phrase when referring to this kind of table in a restaurant.
stille “Stille” means “quiet” and describes the table in “et stille bord”. It gives the desired quality of the reserved table. A reusable pattern is “et” plus an adjective plus a noun, as in “et stille bord”.
bord “Bord” means “table” in “et stille bord”. It is the restaurant item that was reserved and later discussed as “bordet”. In a restaurant, it can be used after a describing word, as in “et stille bord”.
men “Men” means “but” and introduces the contrast between the quiet table that was reserved and the noisy area. It connects “Vi reserverede et stille bord” with “dette område er meget mere støjende end forventet”. Use “men” to connect two statements that do not match as expected.
dette “Dette” means “this” in “dette område”, pointing to the area the speakers are currently in. It identifies something nearby or relevant in the present situation. A reusable pattern is “dette” followed by the thing being pointed out, such as “dette område”.
område “Område” means “area” in “dette område”. It refers to the section of the restaurant where the table is located. It can be used after a demonstrative such as “dette område” when identifying a particular area.
er “Er” means “is” in “dette område er meget mere støjende”. It links the area with its description. The same form is useful for describing what something is like, followed by an adjective such as “støjende”.
meget “Meget” strengthens the comparison in “meget mere støjende” and means “much” here. It shows that the area is considerably noisier, not just slightly noisier. A reusable pattern is “meget mere” plus a describing word when emphasizing a comparison.
mere “Mere” means “more” in “meget mere støjende”. It marks the higher degree of noise compared with what was expected. It is reusable before a describing word when making a comparison, as in “mere støjende”.
støjende “Støjende” means “noisy” and describes “dette område”. In “meget mere støjende”, it expresses the quality being compared. It can be used after “er” to describe a place or situation, as in “området er støjende” as a new example.
end “End” means “than” in the comparison “mere støjende end forventet”. It introduces the point of comparison: what had been expected. Use “end” after a comparative expression such as “mere støjende”.
forventet “Forventet” means “expected” in “end forventet”, referring to the level of noise that had been anticipated. The phrase compares the actual situation with that expectation. A reusable pattern is a comparative expression followed by “end forventet” when the comparison is with what was anticipated.
Det “Det” means “that” in “Det beklager jeg”, forming a polite apology. It refers generally to the situation rather than naming a separate object. This expression is useful when a staff member acknowledges an inconvenience politely.
beklager “Beklager” expresses “am sorry” in the polite expression “Det beklager jeg”. Together, the expression apologizes for the situation; the meaning belongs to the whole construction, not to “beklager” alone. It is useful when responding to a guest’s complaint or inconvenience.
jeg “Jeg” means “I” in “Det beklager jeg” and identifies the person giving the apology. It also appears at the start of “Jeg kan flytte jer”. Use “jeg” as the subject when stating your own action, response, or ability.
den “Den” means “the” in “den del” and “Den samme tjener”. It points to a specific part or server already relevant in the conversation. Use it before a noun phrase when referring to a particular item, such as “den del”.
del “Del” means “section” or “part” in “den del”. It refers to a particular section of the restaurant that became full. It is reusable after “den” when identifying a specific part, as in “den del”.
blev “Blev” means “became” or “was” in “blev fyldt op”, describing the section becoming full. It presents the change as something that happened earlier. A reusable pattern is “blev” followed by a description of the resulting state, here “fyldt op”.
fyldt “Fyldt” means “filled” in “blev fyldt op”. Together with “blev” and “op”, it describes the section becoming full; the complete meaning comes from the construction. It can be reused in a passive or result-focused expression with “blev”, as in “blev fyldt op”.
op “Op” is the particle that completes “blev fyldt op”, giving the idea that the section filled to capacity. It does not mean simply “up” in this restaurant expression. Keep it with “fyldt” when using the pattern “blev fyldt op”.
tidligere “Tidligere” means “earlier” in “tidligere, end vi havde forventet”. It says that the section became full before the time the speakers had expected. It is useful for comparing an event with an expected or previously mentioned time.
havde “Havde” means “had” in “vi havde forventet”. It places the expectation before the later point being discussed. A reusable pattern is “havde” followed by an action or state that was already relevant, here “havde forventet”.
bliver “Bliver” means “will be” or “becomes” in “Det bliver svært”. Here it introduces the expected difficulty caused by sitting at the table. It is useful in the pattern “Det bliver” followed by a description of what a situation will be like.
svært “Svært” means “difficult” or “hard” in “Det bliver svært”. It describes the difficulty the group will have hearing one another. A reusable pattern is “Det bliver svært for” followed by the person or group affected and an action.
for “For” identifies who experiences the difficulty in “svært for vores gruppe”. It connects the description of difficulty with the affected group. Use it in the pattern “svært for” plus a person or group, as in “svært for vores gruppe”.
vores “Vores” means “our” in “vores gruppe”. It shows that the group belongs to or is associated with the speakers. It is used directly before the noun being identified, as in “vores gruppe”.
gruppe “Gruppe” means “group” in “vores gruppe”. It refers to the people dining together. It can be used after a possessive such as “vores gruppe” when identifying the speaker’s group.
at “At” introduces the action “høre” in “at høre hinanden”. It connects the difficulty described in “Det bliver svært” with the action that will be difficult. A reusable pattern is “svært for” someone “at” do something.
høre “Høre” means “hear” in “at høre hinanden”. It names the action that will be difficult for the group at the noisy table. It is used after “at” in the pattern “at høre” followed by what or whom is heard.
hinanden “Hinanden” means “each other” in “høre hinanden”. It shows that the members of the group need to hear one another. It is useful after an action verb when the participants act toward one another, as in “høre hinanden”.
ved “Ved” means “at” or “by” in “ved dette bord”, locating the group’s situation at the table. It connects the action with the place where it will happen. Use it before a place or object when describing being or doing something there, as in “ved dette bord”.
kan “Kan” means “can” in “Jeg kan flytte jer”. It expresses the staff member’s ability or offer to move the guests. A reusable pattern is “kan” followed by an action, here “kan flytte”.
flytte “Flytte” means “move” in “kan flytte jer”. It describes changing the guests’ place in the restaurant. It follows “kan” and is followed by the people being moved, as in “kan flytte jer”.
jer “Jer” means “you” when addressing several people as the object of “flytte”. It refers to the group of guests being moved to another table. It is used after a verb when that group receives the action, as in “flytte jer”.
til “Til” means “to” in “flytte jer til et hjørnebord”. It introduces the destination of the move. A reusable pattern is an action of movement followed by “til” and the destination, as in “til et hjørnebord”.
hjørnebord “Hjørnebord” means “corner table” in “et hjørnebord”. It names the proposed destination for the group. It can be used after “til” when offering or describing a move to a corner table.
hvor “Hvor” means “where” in “hvor der er mere plads omkring det”. It introduces information about the location and its available space. Use it after a place noun when adding a description of what is found there, as in “et hjørnebord, hvor der er mere plads”.
der “Der” helps introduce the existence of space in “der er mere plads”. It presents what is available at the corner table rather than pointing to a separate object. A reusable pattern is “der er” followed by something that exists or is available.
plads “Plads” means “space” in “mere plads omkring det”. It refers to the open room around the corner table. It is commonly used after “mere” when describing additional room, as in “mere plads”.
omkring “Omkring” means “around” in “plads omkring det”. It describes the area surrounding the table. Use it after a noun such as “plads” and before the thing that is surrounded, as in “plads omkring det”.
ville “Ville” means “would” in “Det ville hjælpe”. It presents the move as something that would be helpful if it happened. It is useful before an action, as in “ville hjælpe”, when discussing a possible result politely.
hjælpe “Hjælpe” means “help” in “Det ville hjælpe”. It describes the beneficial effect the proposed move would have. It follows “ville” here and can be used in the pattern “ville hjælpe” to express that a possible action would improve the situation.
så længe “Så længe” means “as long as” and introduces the condition in “så længe vores tjener stadig kan følge med os”. “Så” contributes the linking sense of “so/as”, while “længe” contributes the idea of duration; together they make the condition. Use “så længe” before a condition that must remain true, such as the server keeping up with the group.
tjener “Tjener” means “server” or “waiter” in “vores tjener”. It refers to the staff member responsible for serving the group. It can be used after a possessive, as in “vores tjener”, when identifying the server assigned to the guests.
stadig “Stadig” means “still” in “stadig kan følge med os”. It shows that the server’s ability to keep up should continue after the move. It is placed before the action phrase it qualifies, here before “kan følge med os”.
følge med “Følge med” means “keep up with” in “kan følge med os”. “Følge” contributes the idea of following, while “med” completes the expression and connects it to the people being kept up with. Use the construction “følge med” plus a person or group, as in “følge med os”, when discussing whether someone can keep pace with them.
os “Os” means “us” in “følge med os”. It identifies the group that the server needs to keep up with. It is used after the expression “følge med” to name the people being followed or kept pace with.
samme “Samme” means “same” in “Den samme tjener”. It emphasizes that the server for the new corner is the one already serving the group. It is used before the noun being identified, in the pattern “den samme” plus a noun.
dækker “Dækker” means “covers” in “tjener dækker det hjørne”, meaning that the server is responsible for that area. It explains why service should continue smoothly after the move. In a restaurant context, “dækker” can be used with an area or table section as its object.
hjørne “Hjørne” means “corner” in “det hjørne”. It identifies the corner area covered by the same server. It is used after “det” when referring to a specific corner, as in “det hjørne”.
så “Så” means “so” in “så betjeningen burde stadig gå som planlagt”, linking the server’s coverage with the expected result for service. It presents the second statement as a consequence of the first. At the start of the final line, “Så” instead means “then” in “Så lad os flytte os”, introducing the next action.
betjeningen “Betjeningen” means “the service” in “betjeningen burde stadig gå som planlagt”. It refers to the restaurant service provided to the group. The definite form is used here because the conversation concerns the specific service for this table.
burde “Burde” means “should” in “betjeningen burde stadig gå som planlagt”. It expresses an expectation that service will continue properly, rather than an absolute guarantee. It is useful before an action or result that is expected to happen.
gå “Gå” means “go” in “gå som planlagt”, where the expression means that service proceeds as planned. Its meaning here is about how an arrangement functions, not about walking. Keep it with “som planlagt” when describing an event or service proceeding according to the plan.
som “Som” means “as” in “gå som planlagt”. It connects the way service proceeds with the plan used as the standard. A reusable pattern is a verb such as “gå” followed by “som” and a description of the intended manner.
planlagt “Planlagt” means “planned” in “som planlagt”. It describes the intended way the service should proceed. The phrase “gå som planlagt” is useful when saying that an arrangement or process is proceeding according to the plan.
lad “Lad” means “let” in “lad os flytte os”. Together with “os”, it forms a suggestion to do something together. It is useful for proposing a joint action, followed by the action in “lad os flytte os”.
før “Før” means “before” in “før alle sætter sig”. It introduces the event that should not happen before the group moves. Use it before a clause describing an earlier deadline or sequence, as in “før alle sætter sig”.
alle “Alle” means “everyone” in “alle sætter sig”. It refers to all the people who are about to sit down. It can be used as the subject before an action that applies to the whole group.
sætter “Sætter” contributes the action “sits down” in “sætter sig”. The meaning comes from using it with the reflexive word “sig”, which shows that each person sits themselves down. It is used in the pattern “sætter sig” for this action.
sig “Sig” refers back to the people who are sitting in “alle sætter sig”. Together with “sætter”, it forms the expression “sætter sig”, meaning “sits down”. Keep it with the verb when describing someone taking a seated position.
får “Får” means “gets” or “has done” in “Jeg får bordet gjort klar igen”. It shows that the speaker arranges for someone else to prepare the table. A reusable pattern is “får” plus the object, followed by what is done to it, as in “får bordet gjort klar”.
bordet “Bordet” means “the table” in “får bordet gjort klar igen”. It refers to the specific table that is being prepared for the guests. The form is used when the table is already identified in the situation.
gjort “Gjort” means “made” or “done” in “får bordet gjort klar”. Together with “får” and “klar”, it expresses arranging for the table to be made ready. It is useful in the pattern “får” plus an object plus “gjort” and the resulting state.
klar “Klar” means “ready” in “gjort klar”. It describes the state the table should be put into before the guests use it. The pattern “gøre noget klar” or, as here, “får noget gjort klar”, is used when preparing something.
igen “Igen” means “again” in “gjort klar igen”. It shows that the table will be prepared once more after the seating change. It can be placed after an action or result when something is repeated.
nu “Nu” means “now” in “Jeg får bordet gjort klar igen nu”. It indicates that the preparation will happen immediately. It is useful at the end of a statement when emphasizing when an action is taking place.

Grammar Points

sætter sig

Gruppen sætter sig ved hjørnebordet.

GROO-ben SET-uh sai vehd YUR-nuh-bohr-ehd.

The group sits down at the corner table.

sætter sig is a reflexive verb: the subject does the action to itself, so sig is required.

så længe + ledsætning

Så længe der er plads, sætter gruppen sig.

Soh LANG-uh dah air pless, SET-uh GROO-ben sai.

As long as there is space, the group sits down.

så længe introduces a condition. In the subordinate clause, the subject comes before the verb: der er.

Danish Vocabulary

beklager verb
beh-KLEH-uh am sorry; regret
bord noun
BOHR table
Gender
neuter
del noun
del section; part
Gender
common
forventet adj
foh-VENT-uhd expected
fyldt op phrase
filt OHP filled up
gruppe noun
GROO-beh group
Gender
common
område noun
OH-moh-rthuh area
Gender
neuter
reserverede verb
reh-sehr-VEH-uh-deh reserved
stille adj
STEL-uh quiet
Gender
neuter
støjende adj
STOY-uh-nuh noisy

meget mere støjende

svært adj
SVAIRD difficult; hard
Gender
neuter
tidligere adv
TEE-theh-lee-uh earlier

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

expected

Show Answerforventet

am sorry; regret

Show Answerbeklager

reserved

Show Answerreserverede

area

Show Answerområde