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Den and det in Danish

you know how 'it is an egg' translates to 'det er en æg', would the same for a common noun, for example, 'it is a/the cat' be 'den er en kat/katten'?

May 12, 2016



"It is an egg" translates to "Det er et æg".

Regarding your actual question it is a bit tricky and depends on context. But in most cases you would use "Det er en kat"

Example 1: "What is that behind the bush? It is a cat" Translation: "Hvad er det bag busken? Det er en kat"

But if it has been clearly established in an earlier sentence that we are talking specifically about a cat, then you can also use "den" (although it is optional).

Example 2: "Why does a cat meow? Because it is a cat" Translation: "Hvorfor mjaver en kat? Fordi den er en kat"

Conclusion: If in doubt use "Det er..."


This is what I find ridiculous, here are real 'corrections' in the danish lessons that misuse 'dens' and were never fixed

You are drinking its water = Du drikker dens vand. It is its food = Det er dens mad.

These two questions will not accept 'det'


I think 'it' is always 'det', irrespective of whether the noun is common or neutral.


I think the same.

If my understanding is correct, "Det" should function both as "it" and "that", for neuter gender. "That" as neuter gender in danish becames "Den".

Den/Det is both a pronoun and a definitive article, this can be sometimes confusing.


"Det er en æg" is also correct danish but it has a different meaning, or rather two:
1) The sharp edge of a knife, sword, razorblade etc.
1) The edge of a piece of cloth that cannot fray.

in both cases there can be more than one on each item.


Meget interessant. Tak.


Today I did the possessive pronouns, and now I am doing the object pronouns. It is a complete mystery to me when it's den/dens and when det/dets, it looks like they occur randomly. Is there any reason to it?

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