Responding to a proposal while setting capacity limits | Learn Danish in English

Danish lesson set in a contemporary Copenhagen everyday setting: After a professional networking exchange, two adults discuss interest in a proposal while keeping capacity limits and follow-up pressure clear..

EN → DA / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Responding to a proposal while setting capacity limits to practice Danish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Jeg modtog din besked og satte pris på detaljerne i forslaget.

yai moh-TOH deen beh-SGAY oh SAH-tuh prees poh day-TAL-yer-nuh ee foh-SLAH-yuh I received your message and appreciated the detail in the proposal.
B

Jeg er glad for, at det var nyttigt, og jeg tager gerne imod feedback.

yai air glah foh ah deh vahr NUH-tigt oh yai TAY-uh YAIR-nuh ee-MOH FEED-bak I am glad it was useful, and I would welcome any feedback.
A

Ideen interesserer mig.

ee-DAY-en in-teh-reh-SAIR-uh my The idea interests me.
A

Men jeg har ikke meget plads til at påtage mig mere lige nu.

men yai hahr EG-uh MAY-uhd plahs teel ah POH-tay-uh my MAY-uh LEE-uh NOO But I do not have much room to take on more right now.
B

Det giver mening; tidspunktet kan være lige så vigtigt som interessen.

deh GHEE-vuh MAY-ning; TEETH-spong-duh kan VAI-uh LEE-uh soh VIG-tigt som in-teh-reh-SAIR-en That makes sense; timing can matter as much as interest.
A

Kunne vi tage det op igen, når mit nuværende projekt bliver mindre krævende?

KOO-nuh vee TAY-uh deh ohp ee-GAIN nair meet NOO-vair-nuh proh-YEGD BLEE-vuh MEN-druh KRAY-vuh-nuh Could we revisit it after my current project becomes less demanding?
B

Jeg kan sende en venlig påmindelse senere uden at lægge pres på dig.

yai kan SEN-uh en VEN-lee POH-mine-uhl-suh SAY-nuh-ruh OO-en ah LEG-uh press poh dai I can send a gentle reminder later without adding pressure.
A

Hold den kort, så bliver det lettere for mig at gennemgå den.

hol den koht soh BLEE-vuh deh LED-uh-uh foh my ah GREM-goh den Keep it brief, and it will be easier for me to review.
B

Jeg opsummerer det vigtigste og holder mulighederne åbne.

yai op-SOO-muh-ruh deh VIG-uh-stuh oh HOL-uh MOO-lee-hay-duh-nuh OHB-nuh I will summarize the essentials and leave the options open.

Word by Word

Jeg “Jeg” means “I” in “Jeg modtog din besked” and identifies the person who received the message. Use it when describing your own action, opinion, or situation.
modtog “Modtog” means received in “Jeg modtog din besked.” It reports that the speaker got the message, and it can be used when reporting receipt of a message or document.
din “Din” means your in “din besked” and shows that the message belongs to the person being addressed. Use “din” before an item associated with the person you are speaking to.
besked “Besked” means message in “din besked.” It can refer to written communication, such as a message received after a professional exchange.
og “Og” means and and joins “Jeg modtog din besked” with “satte pris på detaljerne.” Use it to connect two related actions, descriptions, or ideas.
satte pris på “Satte pris på” means appreciated or valued in “satte pris på detaljerne i forslaget.” The whole expression combines “satte” with “pris” and “på” to express appreciation, rather than describing a literal price. Use “sætte pris på” with something you appreciate, while this dialogue uses the form “satte pris på” for something already appreciated.
detaljerne “Detaljerne” means the details in “detaljerne i forslaget.” It refers to the specific information contained in the proposal, and you can use it when discussing the individual points of a document or plan.
i “I” means in here and places “detaljerne” within “forslaget.” Use “i” to locate information inside a document, proposal, or other context.
forslaget “Forslaget” means the proposal in “detaljerne i forslaget.” It refers to a particular plan or suggestion already known in the conversation, and it is useful when discussing a proposed project or arrangement.
er “Er” links the speaker with a state in “Jeg er glad for, at det var nyttigt.” Here it means am, and it is used to describe the speaker’s present reaction or condition.
glad “Glad” means pleased or happy in “Jeg er glad for, at det var nyttigt.” The expression “glad for” presents a positive reaction to something, such as useful feedback or information.
for “For” is part of “glad for, at det var nyttigt” and introduces what the speaker is pleased about. Use “glad for” before a thing or a clause that explains the reason for the positive reaction.
at “At” introduces the clause “at det var nyttigt” after “glad for.” Here it means that, not the infinitive marker to, and it is useful for adding a statement about what was useful.
det “Det” means it in “det var nyttigt” and refers back to something already discussed. Use it as a subject when the thing being discussed is understood from the context.
var “Var” means was in “det var nyttigt” and describes the usefulness of something in the past situation. Use it when describing how something was at an earlier time.
nyttigt “Nyttigt” means useful in “det var nyttigt.” It evaluates the earlier message, proposal, or information as helpful, and it can be used when describing the practical value of something.
tager “Tager” contributes to the expression “tager gerne imod feedback,” which means accepts or receives feedback. Use this expression when saying that you are willing to accept something offered or provided.
gerne “Gerne” means gladly or willingly in “tager gerne imod feedback.” It shows that the speaker is happy to accept the feedback, and it can be used with an action someone is willing to perform.
imod “Imod” completes “tager gerne imod feedback,” giving the expression the meaning accepts or receives feedback. Use “tage imod” with the thing being accepted, such as feedback, an offer, or help.
feedback “Feedback” means feedback in “tager gerne imod feedback.” It refers to comments or an evaluation of the proposal, and it is useful in professional discussions about improving an idea or document.
Ideen “Ideen” means the idea in “Ideen interesserer mig.” It refers to a particular proposal or concept already under discussion, and it can be used as the subject when evaluating that concept.
interesserer “Interesserer” means interests in “Ideen interesserer mig.” The idea is presented as the thing that holds the speaker’s interest, and the pattern can be used to say that a topic interests someone.
mig “Mig” means me in “Ideen interesserer mig.” It identifies the person whose interest is affected, and it is used here after “interesserer” as the person who finds the idea interesting.
Men “Men” means but in “Men jeg har ikke meget plads...” and introduces a limitation after expressing interest. Use it to contrast a positive reaction with a restriction or different fact.
ikke “Ikke” makes the statement negative in “jeg har ikke meget plads.” It denies that the speaker has much available capacity, and it is useful in short statements about what is not available or not happening.
meget “Meget” means much in “ikke meget plads” and describes a limited amount of room or capacity. Use it before an amount that is understood as large, especially when saying that the amount is limited by “ikke.”
plads “Plads” means room or space in “meget plads til at påtage mig mere.” Here it refers to capacity for additional work, and it can be used with “til” to describe what the available capacity is for.
til “Til” means for or to in “plads til at påtage mig mere.” It marks the activity that the available capacity would be used for, and the pattern “plads til at” introduces an action that there is room for.
påtage “Påtage” is part of “at påtage mig mere,” meaning to take on more work or responsibility. It appears after “at” here, and it is useful when describing accepting an additional task or obligation.
mere “Mere” means more in “påtage mig mere” and refers to additional work or responsibility that is understood from the context. Use it when adding to an already known amount or workload.
lige In “lige så vigtigt som interessen,” “lige” helps form the comparison as important as; in “lige nu,” it contributes to the meaning right now. Use it as part of these fixed patterns when comparing importance or referring to the immediate moment.
nu “Nu” means now in “lige nu” and refers to the present moment. Use “lige nu” when emphasizing that a situation applies at this exact time.
giver mening “Giver mening” means makes sense in “Det giver mening.” The whole expression combines “giver,” meaning gives, with “mening,” meaning sense or meaning, and together they show that an explanation or situation is reasonable. Use it to acknowledge that another person’s point is understandable.
tidspunktet “Tidspunktet” means the timing or the time in “tidspunktet kan være lige så vigtigt som interessen.” It refers to when something happens, and it is useful when discussing whether a particular moment is suitable.
kan “Kan” means can or may in “tidspunktet kan være...” and presents importance as a possibility. Use it before another verb when saying that something may be the case or may happen.
være “Være” means be after “kan” in “kan være lige så vigtigt som interessen.” It links the timing with the quality of being important, and it is used after “kan” to state what may be true.
så In “lige så vigtigt som interessen,” “så” is part of the comparison meaning as important as. Use the pattern “lige så + description + som” when comparing two things at the same level.
vigtigt “Vigtigt” means important in “lige så vigtigt som interessen.” It describes the importance of the timing, and it can be used when evaluating how significant a factor is.
som “Som” completes the comparison in “lige så vigtigt som interessen” and corresponds to as in as important as. Use it after “lige så” and the description being compared.
interessen “Interessen” means the interest in “lige så vigtigt som interessen.” It refers to the level of interest in the idea or proposal, and it can be used when comparing interest with another factor such as timing.
Kunne “Kunne” means could in “Kunne vi tage det op igen...?” and makes the proposal polite rather than forceful. Use it at the beginning of a question when suggesting a possible shared action.
vi “Vi” means we in “Kunne vi tage det op igen?” and includes the speaker and the person being addressed. Use it when proposing an action that both people would take or discuss together.
tage “Tage” is part of “tage det op igen,” which means revisit or discuss it again. Use this expression when returning to a topic, proposal, or issue at a later time.
op “Op” completes the expression “tage det op igen,” giving it the meaning take up or revisit rather than a literal upward movement. Use it with “tage” when bringing a previously discussed topic back into the conversation.
igen “Igen” means again in “tage det op igen.” It shows that the topic has already been discussed and will be considered another time, and it is useful when repeating or resuming an action.
når “Når” means when in “når mit nuværende projekt bliver mindre krævende.” It introduces the time at which the speaker may revisit the proposal, and it is useful for connecting an action with a future or expected situation.
mit “Mit” means my in “mit nuværende projekt” and marks the project as belonging to or being associated with the speaker. Use it before an item connected to yourself.
nuværende “Nuværende” means current in “mit nuværende projekt.” It identifies the project the speaker is working on at present, and it is useful when distinguishing an ongoing project from a previous or future one.
projekt “Projekt” means project in “mit nuværende projekt.” It refers to the work currently occupying the speaker’s capacity, and it can be used for an organized piece of professional work.
bliver “Bliver” means becomes in “bliver mindre krævende” and describes a change in the project’s demands. Use “bliver” with a description when saying that something changes into a different state.
mindre “Mindre” means less in “mindre krævende” and shows a reduction in how demanding the project is. Use it before a description when comparing a lower degree with the current one.
krævende “Krævende” means demanding in “bliver mindre krævende.” It describes work that requires substantial time or effort, and it is useful when discussing workload or the effort required by a task.
sende “Sende” means send in “Jeg kan sende en venlig påmindelse.” It follows “kan” and describes the possible action of sending a reminder, and it can be used for messages, documents, or reminders.
en “En” introduces “en venlig påmindelse” as a single, unspecified reminder. Use it before a singular item when referring to one item without identifying it more specifically.
venlig “Venlig” means kind or gentle in “en venlig påmindelse.” It describes the reminder’s considerate tone, and it can be used for a message or request intended to sound polite rather than forceful.
påmindelse “Påmindelse” means reminder in “en venlig påmindelse senere.” It refers to a message that brings the proposal back to someone’s attention, and it is useful when following up without reopening the whole discussion.
senere “Senere” means later in “sende en venlig påmindelse senere.” It places the reminder after the current moment, and it is useful when postponing an action to a later time.
uden “Uden” means without in “uden at lægge pres på dig.” It shows that the reminder will be sent while avoiding the additional action of putting pressure on the other person. Use “uden at” before an action that does not take place.
lægge pres på “Lægge pres på” means put pressure on in “lægge pres på dig.” The whole expression combines “lægge,” put or place, with “pres,” pressure, and “på,” on; together they describe pressuring someone, not physically placing pressure. Use “lægge pres på” with the person who may feel pressured.
dig “Dig” means you in “lægge pres på dig” and identifies the person who would receive the pressure. It is used here after “på” as the person affected by the expression.
Hold “Hold” means keep in the instruction “Hold den kort.” It asks the other person to maintain a brief length or style, and it is useful when giving a direct instruction about how something should remain.
den “Den” means it in “Hold den kort” and refers to the reminder or message being discussed. It is also used in “gennemgå den” for the same known item, and it functions as an object pronoun for something already identified.
kort “Kort” means brief or short in “Hold den kort.” Here it describes the desired length of the reminder, and it is useful when asking someone to keep a message concise.
lettere “Lettere” means easier in “bliver det lettere for mig at gennemgå den.” It compares the effort of reviewing a brief reminder with a more demanding version, and the pattern “lettere for ... at” describes an action that becomes easier for someone.
gennemgå “Gennemgå” means review or go through in “at gennemgå den.” It describes examining the reminder or proposal, and it is useful with an object such as a document, plan, or message that needs careful review.
opsummerer “Opsummerer” means summarizes in “Jeg opsummerer det vigtigste.” It describes condensing the discussion to its key points, and it is useful when explaining that you will present only the essential information.
vigtigste “Vigtigste” means the most important things in “det vigtigste.” Together with “det,” it refers to the essential points of the proposal or discussion, and it is useful when selecting key information from a larger amount of material.
holder “Holder” means keeps in “holder mulighederne åbne.” Together with “mulighederne åbne,” it describes maintaining the options as available rather than closing them, and it is useful when leaving room for a later decision.
mulighederne “Mulighederne” means the options in “holder mulighederne åbne.” It refers to the possible ways forward in the discussion, and it is useful when several choices remain available.
åbne “Åbne” means open in “holder mulighederne åbne.” It describes the options as remaining available for consideration, and it is useful when a decision has not yet been closed off.

Grammar Points

Adjektiv i intetkøn: nyttig → nyttigt, vigtig → vigtigt

Det er vigtigt at gennemgå forslaget.

deh air VIG-tigt ah GREM-goh foh-SLAH-yuh

It is important to review the proposal.

Adjectives take -t when they describe an et-word or the pronoun det.

Bestemt form: forslag → forslaget, detalje → detaljerne

Jeg opsummerer forslaget og detaljerne.

yai op-SOO-muh-ruh foh-SLAH-yuh oh day-TAL-yer-nuh

I summarize the proposal and the details.

Danish often adds a suffix to nouns for the definite form: -et for singular neuter and -ne for plural.

Danish Vocabulary

besked noun
beh-SGAY message
detalje noun
day-TAL-yuh detail detaljerne
feedback noun
FEED-bak feedback
forslag noun
foh-SLAH proposal forslaget
idé noun
ee-DAY idea Ideen
interessere verb
in-teh-reh-SAIR-uh interest interesserer
modtage verb
moh-TAH-uh receive modtog
nyttig adj
NUH-tig useful nyttigt
Gender
neuter
plads noun
plahs room or space
påtage sig phrase
POH-tay-uh sigh take on or undertake påtage mig
sætte pris på phrase
SAH-tuh prees poh appreciate satte pris på
tage imod phrase
TAY-uh ee-MOH welcome or accept tager gerne imod

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

The idea interests me.

Show AnswerIdeen interesserer mig.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

proposal

Show Answerforslaget

idea

Show AnswerIdeen

receive

Show Answermodtog

feedback

Show Answerfeedback