# Study Notes: Danish Nouns and Their Articles Understanding the correct use of articles ("en" and "et") in Danish is essential for mastering the language. Below is a comprehensive guide to the 100 most commonly used Danish nouns, categorized by their articles. This will help you learn patterns, avoid common mistakes, and build a strong foundation in Danish grammar. --- ## Key Concepts: Articles in Danish ### What Are Articles? In Danish, nouns are accompanied by definite or indefinite articles. The indefinite articles are **"en"** and **"et"**, which correspond to "a" or "an" in English. The choice of article depends on the grammatical gender of the noun: - **"En"** is used for common gender nouns. - **"Et"** is used for neuter gender nouns. ### Why Are Articles Important? Articles are crucial because they: - Indicate the gender of the noun. - Help form definite and indefinite forms of nouns. - Influence adjective endings in sentences. Memorizing the article with the noun is the best way to learn Danish vocabulary effectively. --- ## Common Danish Nouns with Articles Below is a categorized list of the 100 most commonly used Danish nouns, along with their correct articles. ### **People and Relationships** - **en mand** (a man) - **en kvinde** (a woman) - **et barn** (a child) - **en ven** (a friend) - **en veninde** (a female friend) - **en lærer** (a teacher) - **en elev** (a student) Example sentence: "En mand og en kvinde har et barn." (A man and a woman have a child.) --- ### **Animals** - **en hund** (a dog) - **en kat** (a cat) Animals typically use "en" unless referring to specific neuter nouns like "et dyr" (an animal). --- ### **Objects and Everyday Items** - **en bil** (a car) - **et hus** (a house) - **et bord** (a table) - **en stol** (a chair) - **en telefon** (a phone) - **et vindue** (a window) - **et træ** (a tree) - **et blad** (a leaf/magazine) - **en blomst** (a flower) - **et æble** (an apple) - **en frugt** (a fruit) - **en sko** (a shoe) - **et tøj** (clothing) - **en taske** (a bag) - **en jakke** (a jacket) - **et ur** (a watch) Many learners confuse "et blad" (a leaf or magazine) with "en blomst" (a flower). Remember, "blad" is neuter while "blomst" is common gender. --- ### **Places** - **en by** (a city) - **en vej** (a road) - **et skilt** (a sign) - **en butik** (a shop) - **et supermarked** (a supermarket) - **et hotel** (a hotel) - **en restaurant** (a restaurant) Example sentence: "Jeg bor i en by med et hotel og en restaurant." (I live in a city with a hotel and a restaurant.) --- ### **Food and Drinks** - **en mad** (food) - **et måltid** (a meal) - **en kaffe** (coffee) - **en te** (tea) - **en øl** (beer) - **et glas** (a glass) - **en flaske** (a bottle) When ordering drinks, remember the article: "Jeg vil gerne have en kaffe." (I would like a coffee.) --- ### **Technology and Media** - **en computer** (a computer) - **et fjernsyn** (a television) - **en radio** (a radio) - **et kamera** (a camera) - **et program** (a program) - **en film** (a movie) - **et billede** (a picture) - **et maleri** (a painting) Media-related nouns often use "et," such as "et fjernsyn" and "et program." --- ### **Nature and Geography** - **et land** (a country) - **et hav** (a sea) - **en sø** (a lake) - **en flod** (a river) - **et bjerg** (a mountain) Example sentence: "Danmark er et land med en flod og en sø." (Denmark is a country with a river and a lake.) --- ### **Abstract Concepts** - **en drøm** (a dream) - **en idé** (an idea) - **et håb** (a hope) - **en glæde** (a joy) - **en sorg** (a sorrow) - **en følelse** (a feeling) - **et udtryk** (an expression) - **et sprog** (a language) - **en samtale** (a conversation) - **et emne** (a topic) - **en diskussion** (a discussion) - **en beslutning** (a decision) - **et valg** (a choice) - **et koncept** (a concept) - **en teori** (a theory) - **et faktum** (a fact) - **en viden** (knowledge) - **en erfaring** (experience) - **et resultat** (a result) Abstract nouns like "en idé" and "et koncept" are often confused. Pay attention to their articles. --- ## Patterns and Tips for Learning Articles ### **General Patterns** 1. **Common Gender ("en")**: - Used for most living beings (e.g., "en mand," "en hund"). - Applies to many everyday objects (e.g., "en bil," "en stol"). 2. **Neuter Gender ("et")**: - Often used for abstract concepts (e.g., "et håb," "et resultat"). - Applies to many larger structures or items (e.g., "et hus," "et bord"). When in doubt, memorize nouns with their articles as a pair (e.g., "en bil," "et hus"). --- ## Practice Questions 1. What is the correct article for "bil"? - **Answer:** "en bil" 2. Translate: "A child and a dog are playing in the house." - **Answer:** "Et barn og en hund leger i et hus." 3. Which article is used for "sprog"? - **Answer:** "et sprog" --- ## Key Takeaways - Danish nouns are paired with either "en" or "et" based on their gender. - Memorizing nouns with their articles is essential for fluency. - Abstract concepts often use "et," while living beings and everyday objects tend to use "en." - Practice regularly to internalize patterns and avoid common mistakes. Mastering articles will significantly improve your Danish grammar and sentence construction skills.