Danish Verb Mastery
Build your fluency by practicing 514+ core verbs. Master the conjugations used in daily life and professional Danish environments.
The Logic of Danish Verbs
Why Danish verbs are easier than you think—and where the real challenge lies.
In the landscape of Germanic languages, Danish verbs stand out for their simplicity in conjugation. Unlike English, which distinguishes between "I am" and "He is," or German, which has unique endings for every person, Danish verbs do not change based on the subject. Whether the subject is jeg, du, han, hun, vi, I, or de, the verb form remains static.
The primary challenge for learners is not person-agreement, but the V2 Rule (Verb Second). In a standard Danish main clause, the finite verb must always be the second element. If you start a sentence with a time expression like "I dag" (Today), the verb must come before the subject: "I dag spiser jeg brød" (Today eat I bread). Mastery of this "inversion" is what separates beginners from fluent speakers.
The Four Conjugation Groups
Group 1 (Weak)
-ede / -et
The most predictable group. Used for verbs with two consonants in the stem.
at hente → hentede
Group 2 (Weak)
-te / -t
Common for verbs with a long vowel or one consonant in the stem.
at læse → læste
Group 3 (Short)
-ede / -et
Short verbs ending in a stressed vowel like 'bo' or 'nå'.
at bo → boede
Group 4 (Strong)
Vowel Shift
Irregular verbs that change their stem vowel in the past tense.
at se → så
Modal Verbs & The "Null" Infinitive
Danish modal verbs (kan, skal, vil, må, bør) are the powerhouse of the language. When a modal verb is used, the main verb follows in its "short" infinitive form—meaning you drop the "at". For instance, "I want to sleep" becomes "Jeg vil sove". In the past tense, modal verbs often indicate hypothetical situations or advice. Understanding the nuance between "skulle" (should/was supposed to) and "ville" (would/wanted to) is a critical component of the B1 and B2 curriculum.
The Complexity of Stød and Pronunciation
While this page focuses on writing, the relationship between verb forms and the stød (a glottal stop) is vital. Often, the imperative form of a verb (the command form) is created by removing the final '-e' from the infinitive. This shift doesn't just change the spelling; it often introduces a stød or changes the vowel length. For example, "at løbe" (to run) vs. "Løb!" (Run!). Practicing these forms helps learners develop a more "Danish" rhythm in their speech.
Verb Library & Reference
Explore all 514 verbs categorized by usage. Use the audio buttons to hear the correct pronunciation.
Common Verbs
20 total| English | Infinitive | Present | Past | Perfect | Imperative | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| use | at at anvende | anvender | anvendte | anvendt | anvend | |
| work | at at arbejde | arbejder | arbejdede | arbejdet | arbejd | |
| be situated | at at befinde | befinder | befandt | befundet | - | |
| begin | at at begynde | begynder | begyndte | begyndt | begynd | |
| use | at at benytte | benytter | benyttede | benyttet | benyt | |
| describe | at at beskrive | beskriver | beskrev | beskrevet | beskriv | |
| become | at at blive | bliver | blev | blevet | bliv | |
| use | at at bruge | bruger | brugte | brugt | brug | |
| dominate | at at dominere | dominerer | dominerede | domineret | dominer | |
| leave behind | at at efterlade | efterlader | efterlod | efterladt | efterlad | |
| find | at at finde | finder | fandt | fundet | find | |
| take place | at at foregå | foregår | foregik | foregået | foregå | |
| undertake | at at foretage sig | foretager sig | foretog sig | foretaget sig | foretag dig | |
| negotiate | at at forhandle | forhandler | forhandlede | forhandlet | forhandl | |
| behave | at at forholde sig | forholder sig | forholdt sig | forholdt sig | forhold dig |
Irregular Verbs
84 total| English | Infinitive | Present | Past | Perfect | Imperative | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| relieve | at at afløse | afløser | afløste | afløst | afløs | |
| be situated | at at befinde | befinder | befandt | befundet | - | |
| begin | at at begynde | begynder | begyndte | begyndt | begynd | |
| treat | at at behandle | behandler | behandlede | behandlet | behandl | |
| keep | at at beholde | beholder | beholdt | beholdt | behold | |
| describe | at at beskrive | beskriver | beskrev | beskrevet | beskriv | |
| visit | at at besøge | besøger | besøgte | besøgt | besøg | |
| pay | at at betale | betaler | betalte | betalt | betal | |
| mean | at at betyde | betyder | betød | betydet | betyd | |
| become | at at blive | bliver | blev | blevet | bliv | |
| spread | at at brede sig | breder sig | bredte sig | bredt sig | bred dig | |
| bring | at at bringe | bringer | bragte | bragt | bring | |
| break | at at bryde | bryder | brød | brudt | bryd | |
| dominate | at at dominere | dominerer | dominerede | domineret | dominer | |
| drink | at at drikke | drikker | drak | drukket | drik |
Regular Verbs
223 total| English | Infinitive | Present | Past | Perfect | Imperative | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| accept | at at acceptere | accepterer | accepterede | accepteret | accepter | |
| separate | at at adskille | adskiller | adskilte | adskilt | adskil | |
| warn | at at advare | advarer | advarede | advaret | advar | |
| decide | at at afgøre | afgør | afgjorde | afgjort | afgør | |
| deliver | at at aflevere | afleverer | afleverede | afleveret | aflever | |
| finish | at at afslutte | afslutter | afsluttede | afsluttet | afslut | |
| place | at at anbringe | anbringer | anbragte | anbragt | anbring | |
| arrest | at at anholde | anholder | anholdt | anholdt | anhold | |
| arrive | at at ankomme | ankommer | ankom | ankommet | - | |
| report | at at anmelde | anmelder | anmeldte | anmeldt | anmeld | |
| consider | at at anse | anser | anså | anset | - | |
| use | at at anvende | anvender | anvendte | anvendt | anvend | |
| work | at at arbejde | arbejder | arbejdede | arbejdet | arbejd | |
| arrange | at at arrangere | arrangerer | arrangerede | arrangeret | arranger | |
| arrest | at at arrestere | arresterer | arresterede | arresteret | arrester |
Modal Verbs
9 total| English | Infinitive | Present | Past | Perfect | Imperative | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cancel | at at aflyse | aflyser | aflyste | aflyst | aflys | |
| can | at at kunne | kan | kunne | kunnet | - | |
| may | at at måtte | må | måtte | måttet | - | |
| cancel | at at ophæve | ophæver | ophævede | ophævet | ophæv | |
| shall | at at skulle | skal | skulle | skullet | - |
Action Verbs
51 total| English | Infinitive | Present | Past | Perfect | Imperative | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| work | at at arbejde | arbejder | arbejdede | arbejdet | arbejd | |
| knock | at at banke | banker | bankede | banket | bank | |
| be situated | at at befinde | befinder | befandt | befundet | - | |
| treat | at at behandle | behandler | behandlede | behandlet | behandl | |
| visit | at at besøge | besøger | besøgte | besøgt | besøg | |
| move | at at bevæge sig | bevæger sig | bevægede sig | bevæget sig | bevæg dig | |
| spread | at at brede sig | breder sig | bredte sig | bredt sig | bred dig | |
| build | at at bygge | bygger | byggede | bygget | byg | |
| carry | at at bære | bærer | bar | båret | bær | |
| dance | at at danse | danser | dansede | danset | dans | |
| draw | at at drage | drager | drog | draget | drag | |
| turn | at at dreje | drejer | drejede | drejet | drej | |
| drink | at at drikke | drikker | drak | drukket | drik | |
| catch | at at fange | fanger | fangede | fanget | fang | |
| understand | at at fatte | fatter | fattede | fattet | fat |
Communication Verbs
58 total| English | Infinitive | Present | Past | Perfect | Imperative | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| warn | at at advare | advarer | advarede | advaret | advar | |
| recommend | at at anbefale | anbefaler | anbefalede | anbefalet | anbefal | |
| report | at at anmelde | anmelder | anmeldte | anmeldt | anmeld | |
| ask | at at bede | beder | bad | bedt | bed | |
| apologize | at at beklage | beklager | beklagede | beklaget | beklag | |
| confirm | at at bekræfte | bekræfter | bekræftede | bekræftet | bekræft | |
| describe | at at beskrive | beskriver | beskrev | beskrevet | beskriv | |
| order | at at bestille | bestiller | bestilte | bestilt | bestil | |
| quote | at at citere | citerer | citerede | citeret | citer | |
| discuss | at at diskutere | diskuterer | diskuterede | diskuteret | diskuter | |
| discuss | at at drøfte | drøfter | drøftede | drøftet | drøft | |
| suggest | at at foreslå | foreslår | foreslog | foreslået | foreslå | |
| explain | at at forklare | forklarer | forklarede | forklaret | forklar | |
| demand | at at forlange | forlanger | forlangte | forlangt | forlang | |
| tell | at at fortælle | fortæller | fortalte | fortalt | fortæl |