Negotiating lease renewal terms | Learn Danish in English

About This Lesson

Use Negotiating lease renewal terms to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Jeg har modtaget meddelelsen om fornyelse og vil gerne drøfte vilkårene.

yai ha moh-TAI-uhd meh-DAI-luh-sun om foh-NOO-uhl-suh uh vel YAIR-nuh DRUHF-duh VEL-kaw-nuh. I received the renewal notice and would like to discuss terms.

Vi kan gennemgå fornyelsen sammen og se, hvor der er mulighed for at justere noget.

vee kan GEM-muh-goh foh-NOO-uhl-sun SAM-un uh say voh dair air MOO-lee-hayd foh uh yoo-STAIR-uh NOH-uh. We can look at the renewal together and see where there is room to adjust.

Jeg har været en pålidelig lejer og vedligeholder lejligheden omhyggeligt.

yai ha VAIR-uhd en POH-lee-thuh-lee LYE-uh uh VETH-lee-haw-luh LYE-lee-hay-thn om-HOO-guh-lee. I have been a reliable tenant and maintain the apartment carefully.

Det giver mig nyttig baggrund, før jeg taler med ejeren.

deh GEE-vuh my NUHT-ee BAIR-grohn, fur yai TAI-luh meh EYE-uh-n. That gives me helpful context before I speak with the owner.

Jeg håber på en længere lejeaftale med mere stabile vilkår.

yai HOH-buh poh en LENG-uh LYE-uhf-TAI-luh meh MAIR-uh stah-BEE-luh VEL-kaw. I am hoping for a longer lease with more stable terms.

Hvis du kan forpligte dig til en længere lejeaftale, kan jeg spørge om mere forudsigelige vilkår.

ves doo kan foh-PLEG-duh day til en LENG-uh LYE-uhf-TAI-luh, kan yai SPUR-uh om MAIR-uh foh-oo-SEE-uh-lee VEL-kaw. If you can commit to a longer lease, I can ask about more predictable terms.

Kunne du gennemgå, hvilke vilkår der faktisk kan forhandles?

KON-uh doo GEM-muh-goh, vel-kuh VEL-kaw dair FAK-tisk kan foh-HAN-luhs? Could you outline which terms are actually negotiable?

Den overordnede politik ligger fast, men der kan være lidt fleksibilitet i betingelserne for fornyelsen.

den OH-vuh-OR-nuh-thuh poh-lee-TEEG LIG-uh fast, men dair kan VAIR-uh lit flex-uh-bee-lee-TAID et buh-TENG-uhl-suh-nuh foh foh-NOO-uhl-sun. The general policy is fixed, but the renewal conditions may have some flexibility.

Word by Word

Jeg 'Jeg' means 'I' and identifies the speaker as the person who received the notice and wants to discuss the terms. Use 'Jeg' as the subject when describing your own actions or situation.

har 'har' means 'have' as part of the construction 'har modtaget', expressing that the speaker has received something. It is also used in 'har været' for a completed experience or state. A reusable pattern is 'Jeg har ...' followed by a past participle.

modtaget 'modtaget' means 'received' in 'Jeg har modtaget meddelelsen'. It is the form used with 'har' in this completed-action construction. A reusable pattern is 'Jeg har modtaget ...' with the received item after it.

meddelelsen 'meddelelsen' means 'the notice' in this housing-office context. It is the exact form used for a specific notice that the speaker has received. Use 'meddelelsen om ...' when identifying what a notice concerns.

om 'om' means 'about' or 'concerning' in 'meddelelsen om fornyelse'. It links the notice to the subject it concerns. A reusable pattern is 'en meddelelse om ...' for a notice about a particular matter.

fornyelse 'fornyelse' means 'renewal' in 'meddelelsen om fornyelse'. Here it refers to renewing the lease. Use 'fornyelse' after 'om' when naming the subject of a notice or discussion.

og 'og' means 'and' and joins the received notice with the speaker's next request. It connects two coordinated parts of the sentence. Use 'og' to link related actions or statements.

vil 'vil' contributes to the polite request 'vil gerne drøfte', meaning 'would like to discuss'. Its meaning here comes from the combination with 'gerne', not from 'vil' alone. A reusable pattern is 'Jeg vil gerne ...' when stating what you would like to do.

gerne 'gerne' adds the idea of willingness or desire in 'vil gerne drøfte', making the phrase mean 'would like to discuss'. It follows 'vil' in this expression. Use 'vil gerne' before an infinitive for a polite statement of what you want to do.

drøfte 'drøfte' means 'discuss' in 'vil gerne drøfte vilkårene'. It is the action the speaker would like to carry out. Use 'drøfte' with the topic being discussed, such as 'drøfte vilkårene'.

vilkårene 'vilkårene' means 'the terms' in the lease-renewal discussion. It refers to the specific conditions that the parties want to discuss. Use 'drøfte vilkårene' when discussing the terms of an agreement.

Vi 'Vi' means 'we' and identifies the housing-office side as the group offering to review the renewal. It is the subject of 'Vi kan gennemgå ...'. Use 'Vi' when the speaker includes themself and at least one other person.

kan 'kan' means 'can' in 'Vi kan gennemgå fornyelsen'. It expresses that the speakers are able or willing to carry out the review. A reusable pattern is 'Vi kan ...' followed by an infinitive.

gennemgå 'gennemgå' means 'go through' or 'review' in 'kan gennemgå fornyelsen'. It describes examining the renewal together. Use 'gennemgå' with the document, agreement, or subject being reviewed.

fornyelsen 'fornyelsen' means 'the renewal' as the specific renewal being reviewed. The form refers back to the lease-renewal matter in the conversation. Use 'gennemgå fornyelsen' when reviewing that renewal.

sammen 'sammen' means 'together' and shows that the speakers will review the renewal jointly. It modifies the action in 'gennemgå fornyelsen sammen'. Use 'sammen' after an action when emphasizing shared participation.

se 'se' means 'see' in 'se, hvor der er mulighed ...'. Here it introduces finding out where adjustments may be possible. A reusable pattern is 'se, hvor ...' when investigating where something applies or is available.

hvor 'hvor' means 'where' in 'hvor der er mulighed for at justere noget'. It introduces the part of the sentence that identifies the area in which adjustment may be possible. Use 'se, hvor ...' to ask or explain where something can happen.

der 'der' is the marker used in 'hvor der er mulighed', introducing the statement that there is a possibility. In this sentence it is not the location word 'there'; the location is supplied by 'hvor'. Use 'der er ...' to state that something exists or is available.

er 'er' means 'is' or 'are' in 'der er mulighed'. Together with 'der' it states that a possibility exists. A reusable pattern is 'der er ...' followed by the thing that exists or is available.

mulighed 'mulighed' means 'possibility' or 'room' in 'der er mulighed for at justere noget'. It presents adjustment as something that may be possible. Use 'mulighed for at' before an action that may be possible.

for 'for' links 'mulighed' to the action in 'mulighed for at justere noget'. In this construction it introduces what the possibility is for. Use the pattern 'mulighed for at' followed by an infinitive.

at 'at' marks the infinitive in 'at justere'. It connects the possibility with the action that may be possible. Use 'at' before an infinitive after the pattern 'mulighed for'.

justere 'justere' means 'adjust' in 'at justere noget'. It refers to changing a term or another part of the renewal. Use 'justere' with the thing being changed, for example 'justere noget'.

noget 'noget' means 'something' and is the unspecified object of 'justere' in 'justere noget'. It leaves open which part of the renewal may be changed. Use 'noget' when the object is not specified or does not need to be named.

været 'været' means 'been' in 'Jeg har været en pålidelig lejer'. It is used with 'har' to describe the speaker's experience or status as a reliable tenant. A reusable pattern is 'Jeg har været ...' followed by a description or role.

en 'en' means 'a' or 'an' before 'pålidelig lejer'. It introduces the speaker as one tenant with the stated quality. Use 'en' before a singular noun of this type when introducing a person or role.

pålidelig 'pålidelig' means 'reliable' and describes the speaker as a tenant who can be trusted. It appears before 'lejer' in 'en pålidelig lejer'. Use 'pålidelig' before a person or role you describe as dependable.

lejer 'lejer' means 'tenant' in 'en pålidelig lejer'. It identifies the person who rents the apartment. Use 'lejer' when talking about the person renting a home or other property.

vedligeholder 'vedligeholder' means 'maintain' or 'look after' in 'vedligeholder lejligheden omhyggeligt'. It describes the speaker's regular care of the apartment. Use 'vedligeholder' with the property or object that is being maintained.

lejligheden 'lejligheden' means 'the apartment' and is the object of 'vedligeholder'. It refers to the specific apartment rented by the speaker. Use 'vedligeholde lejligheden' when talking about maintaining a particular apartment.

omhyggeligt 'omhyggeligt' means 'carefully' and describes how the speaker maintains the apartment. It comes after the object in 'vedligeholder lejligheden omhyggeligt'. Use it to describe an action carried out with care.

Det 'Det' means 'that' in 'Det giver mig nyttig baggrund' and refers to the information just given about the tenant. It is the subject of 'giver'. Use 'Det' to refer back to a situation, fact, or statement.

giver 'giver' means 'gives' in 'Det giver mig nyttig baggrund'. The information gives the listener useful context before speaking with the owner. A reusable pattern is '[something] giver mig ...' when something provides a benefit or information.

mig 'mig' means 'me' and identifies the person receiving the useful background in 'giver mig nyttig baggrund'. It follows 'giver' as the recipient. Use 'giver mig' when saying that something gives or provides something to you.

nyttig 'nyttig' means 'useful' or 'helpful' and describes the background as valuable for the upcoming conversation. It comes before 'baggrund' in 'nyttig baggrund'. Use 'nyttig' before information, advice, or context that helps with a task.

baggrund 'baggrund' means 'background' or 'context' in 'nyttig baggrund'. It refers to information that helps the listener understand the tenant's position. Use 'give nogen baggrund' when providing someone with relevant context.

før 'før' means 'before' and introduces the time relation in 'før jeg taler med ejeren'. It shows that the useful context is given before the conversation with the owner. Use 'før' before a clause or event that happens later.

taler 'taler' means 'speak' or 'talk' in 'før jeg taler med ejeren'. It describes the conversation the speaker will have with the owner. Use 'tale med' when naming the person you speak with.

med 'med' means 'with' in 'taler med ejeren'. It identifies the other participant in the conversation. Use the pattern 'tale med nogen' for speaking with someone.

ejeren 'ejeren' means 'the owner' in this housing context. It refers to the person who owns the apartment or property and will be consulted. Use 'tale med ejeren' when referring to speaking with the specific owner.

håber 'håber' means 'hope' in 'Jeg håber på en længere lejeaftale'. It expresses the speaker's desired outcome for the renewal. Use 'håbe på' before the thing you hope to obtain or experience.

på 'på' completes the expression 'håber på' and links the hope to its desired result. In this sentence the desired result is 'en længere lejeaftale'. Use the pattern 'Jeg håber på ...' when naming what you hope for.

længere 'længere' means 'longer' in 'en længere lejeaftale'. It describes a lease agreement with greater length or duration than the current or expected one. Use 'længere' before the noun whose duration or length is being compared.

lejeaftale 'lejeaftale' means 'lease agreement' in 'en længere lejeaftale'. It refers to the agreement governing the rental arrangement. Use 'lejeaftale' when discussing the agreement between a tenant and the property owner.

mere 'mere' means 'more' in 'mere stabile vilkår'. It increases the degree of stability being requested. Use 'mere' before an adjective when asking for a greater degree of a quality.

stabile 'stabile' means 'stable' in 'mere stabile vilkår'. It describes terms that would provide greater steadiness or predictability for the tenant. Use 'mere stabile' before a plural noun when comparing the desired degree of stability.

vilkår 'vilkår' means 'terms' in 'mere stabile vilkår'. It refers to the conditions of the longer lease agreement. Use 'stabile vilkår' when describing agreement terms as steady or dependable.

Hvis 'Hvis' means 'if' and introduces the condition in 'Hvis du kan forpligte dig ...'. It connects a possible longer commitment with the office's willingness to ask about terms. Use 'Hvis' at the beginning of a conditional clause.

du 'du' means 'you' and refers to the tenant who may make the longer commitment. It is the subject of 'kan forpligte'. Use 'du' when addressing one person directly.

forpligte 'forpligte' means 'commit' in 'forpligte dig til en længere lejeaftale'. It describes making a commitment to the longer lease agreement. Use 'forpligte sig til' with the commitment or arrangement that someone agrees to undertake.

dig 'dig' means 'yourself' in the reflexive construction 'forpligte dig til'. It refers back to the person addressed by 'du'. Use 'du kan forpligte dig til ...' when saying that someone can commit themself to something.

til 'til' means 'to' in 'forpligte dig til en længere lejeaftale'. It introduces the agreement or obligation to which the person commits themself. Use the pattern 'forpligte sig til' followed by a commitment or arrangement.

spørge 'spørge' means 'ask' in 'kan jeg spørge om mere forudsigelige vilkår'. It describes requesting information or consideration about the terms. Use 'spørge om' when asking about a subject or possibility.

forudsigelige 'forudsigelige' means 'predictable' in 'mere forudsigelige vilkår'. It describes terms whose effects or conditions would be easier to anticipate. Use 'mere forudsigelige vilkår' when asking for terms that provide greater predictability.

Kunne 'Kunne' means 'could' in the polite request 'Kunne du gennemgå ...?'. It softens the request for an explanation of the negotiable terms. Use 'Kunne du ...?' before an infinitive when making a courteous request.

hvilke 'hvilke' means 'which' in 'hvilke vilkår der faktisk kan forhandles'. It asks the listener to identify the particular terms that may be negotiated. Use 'hvilke' before a plural noun when selecting among specific possibilities.

faktisk 'faktisk' means 'actually' and emphasizes the practical question of which terms really can be negotiated. It modifies the statement about negotiability in 'faktisk kan forhandles'. Use 'faktisk' when clarifying what is true in practice.

forhandles 'forhandles' means 'be negotiated' in 'vilkår der faktisk kan forhandles'. It presents the terms as the things that may be negotiated. Use 'kan forhandles' when describing conditions that are open to negotiation.

Den 'Den' means 'the' before 'overordnede politik' and identifies one specific policy. It introduces the policy that the housing office treats as fixed. Use 'Den' before a specific noun phrase of this type.

overordnede 'overordnede' means 'general' or 'overall' in 'den overordnede politik'. It describes the policy as applying at a broad level rather than to one small detail. Use 'overordnede' before a noun for a broad or governing matter.

politik 'politik' means 'policy' in 'den overordnede politik'. It refers to the general rule or approach that is fixed. Use 'politik' when discussing an organization's stated rules or general approach.

ligger fast 'ligger fast' is the expression used for something that is fixed or set: 'Den overordnede politik ligger fast'. 'ligger' contributes the idea of remaining in a position, while 'fast' contributes the idea of being fixed. Use 'ligger fast' for a rule, decision, or arrangement that is not open to change.

men 'men' means 'but' and contrasts the fixed general policy with possible flexibility in the renewal conditions. It joins two statements with different implications. Use 'men' to introduce an exception or contrasting point.

være 'være' means 'be' in 'der kan være lidt fleksibilitet'. It appears after 'kan' to describe a possible state or amount of flexibility. A reusable pattern is 'der kan være ...' when saying that something may exist or occur.

lidt 'lidt' means 'a little' or 'some' in 'lidt fleksibilitet'. It indicates a limited amount of flexibility without specifying exactly how much. Use 'lidt' before an uncountable noun when referring to a small amount.

fleksibilitet 'fleksibilitet' means 'flexibility' in 'der kan være lidt fleksibilitet'. It refers to the possibility of adapting or negotiating some conditions. Use 'fleksibilitet i ...' when identifying the area in which adjustment may be possible.

i 'i' means 'in' in 'fleksibilitet i betingelserne'. It identifies the conditions as the area where flexibility may exist. Use 'fleksibilitet i ...' to specify the part of an arrangement that may be flexible.

betingelserne 'betingelserne' means 'the conditions' or 'the terms' in 'betingelserne for fornyelsen'. It refers to the specific requirements or conditions attached to the renewal. Use 'betingelserne for ...' when describing the conditions connected with a particular agreement or process.

Grammar Points

Bestemt form med endelsen -en eller -et

meddelelsen

meh-DAI-luh-sun

the notice; the message

Danish often marks a definite noun by adding an ending. Here, meddelelse becomes meddelelsen: “the notice/message”.

Danish Vocabulary

drøfte verb

DRUHF-duh discuss

vil gerne drøfte vilkårene

fornyelse noun

foh-NOO-uhl-suh renewal fornyelsen

Gender: common

gennemgå fornyelsen

gennemgå verb

GEM-muh-goh go through; review

Vi kan gennemgå fornyelsen

justere verb

yoo-STAIR-uh adjust

mulighed for at justere noget

lejer noun

LYE-uh tenant

Gender: common

en pålidelig lejer

meddelelse noun

meh-DAI-luh-suh notice; message meddelelsen

Gender: common

meddelelsen om fornyelse

modtage verb

moh-TAI-uh receive modtaget

Jeg har modtaget meddelelsen

mulighed noun

MOO-lee-hayd possibility; opportunity

Gender: common

der er mulighed for at justere noget

pålidelig adj

POH-lee-thuh-lee reliable

en pålidelig lejer

sammen adv

SAM-un together

gennemgå fornyelsen sammen

vedligeholde verb

VETH-lee-HAWL-uh maintain vedligeholder

vedligeholder lejligheden omhyggeligt

vilkår noun

VEL-kaw terms; conditions vilkårene

Gender: neuter

drøfte vilkårene

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

receive

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modtaget

discuss

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drøfte

notice; message

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meddelelsen

renewal

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fornyelsen