A2 Danish GrammarParticle Verbs (Phrasal Verbs)
Learn Danish particle verbs (partikelverber) where a verb combines with a particle (small word like 'op', 'ned', 'ud') to create new meanings. Understand when the particle separates from the verb and how placement affects meaning. Master common phrasal verbs for everyday Danish.
1What Are Particle Verbs?
Danish particle verbs consist of a verb + a particle (adverb/preposition) that together create a new meaning. Common particles include: op (up), ned (down), ud (out), ind (in), på (on), af (off). The particle can be stressed and often changes or intensifies the verb's meaning.
Common Particle Verbs
| Base Verb | Particle Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| stå (stand) | stå op | get up |
| gå (go) | gå ud | go out |
| tage (take) | tage af | take off |
| sætte (put) | sætte ind | put in/insert |
Examples
Jeg står op klokken syv.
I get up at seven o'clock.
stå + op = get up (wake up)
Hun går ud i haven.
She goes out into the garden.
gå + ud = go out
Tag jakken af!
Take off your jacket!
tage + af = take off
Vi lukker vinduet op.
We open the window.
lukke + op = open (lit. close up)
2Particle Position in Main Clauses
In main clauses with a simple verb, the particle usually comes after the verb and any unstressed pronouns. With noun objects, the particle can come before or after the object. When the particle is stressed, it tends to come at the end. Word order is flexible but the verb must be in second position (V2).
Particle Position with Objects
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pronoun object | V + pron + particle | Jeg tager den af |
| Noun object | V + particle + noun | Jeg tager af jakken |
| Noun object (alt) | V + noun + particle | Jeg tager jakken af |
| No object | V + particle | Jeg står op |
Examples
Sluk lyset.
Turn off the light.
Particle fused: slukke = turn off
Ring mig op i morgen.
Call me tomorrow.
ringe op = call (phone)
Skriv det ned!
Write it down!
skrive ned = write down
Han tændte fjernsynet.
He turned on the TV.
tænde = turn on (fused verb)
3Particles in Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses, the particle stays attached to the verb at the end. Since the verb moves to final position in subordinate clauses, the particle goes with it. This is different from main clauses where they can be separated.
Main vs Subordinate Position
| Main Clause | Subordinate Clause |
|---|---|
| Jeg står op | ...når jeg står op |
| Hun går ud | ...fordi hun går ud |
| Vi tager jakken af | ...at vi tager jakken af |
| De lukker op | ...når de lukker op |
Examples
Jeg ved, at han står op klokken seks.
I know that he gets up at six.
Subordinate: particle with verb
Fordi hun ikke går ud, bliver hun hjemme.
Because she doesn't go out, she stays home.
'ikke' before 'går ud'
Når vi tager tøjet af, er vi klar til sengen.
When we take off our clothes, we are ready for bed.
Subordinate clause word order
Jeg tror, at butikken lukker op klokken ni.
I think that the store opens at nine.
lukke op = open
4Common Particle Verbs List
Here are essential Danish particle verbs to learn. Some create predictable meanings (gå ind = go in), while others are idiomatic (finde ud af = find out). Pay attention to which combinations are common and learn them as vocabulary units.
Essential Particle Verbs
| Danish | English | Category |
|---|---|---|
| vågne op | wake up | daily routine |
| lægge sig ned | lie down | movement |
| komme ind | come in | movement |
| finde ud af | find out | idiomatic |
Examples
Børnene vågner op tidligt.
The children wake up early.
vågne + op = wake up
Kom ind og sæt dig ned!
Come in and sit down!
Two particle verbs: ind, ned
Jeg skal finde ud af det.
I need to find out.
finde ud af = find out (idiomatic)
De går tilbage til kontoret.
They go back to the office.
gå + tilbage = go back