Temporal Expressions in Danish

Overview

Temporal Expressions (Tidsudtryk) is an important grammar concept at the A2 level in Danish. Time connectors and expressions: i går (yesterday), i morgen (tomorrow), om lidt (in a moment), for...siden (ago), i...tid (for...time).

At the elementary level, understanding this concept allows you to express yourself with greater accuracy and nuance. This grammar point builds on foundations you have established at earlier levels and connects to several related areas of Danish grammar.

As you work through this topic, pay attention to how it functions in authentic Danish texts and conversations. The patterns you learn here will become more natural with regular practice and exposure to the language.

How It Works

Core rules

Time connectors and expressions: i går (yesterday), i morgen (tomorrow), om lidt (in a moment), for...siden (ago), i...tid (for...time).

Key patterns

Danish	English
Jeg rejste for to år siden.	I traveled two years ago.
Vi har ventet i tre timer.	We have waited for three hours.
Hun kommer om lidt.	She's coming in a moment.
Jeg bor her i to måneder.	I'm living here for two months.

Key time expression patterns

Pattern	Example	Translation
for...siden	for to ar siden	two years ago
i + duration	i tre timer	for three hours
om + future	om en time	in an hour
i gar	i gar	yesterday
i dag	i dag	today
i morgen	i morgen	tomorrow
om morgenen	om morgenen	in the morning
om aftenen	om aftenen	in the evening

Duration vs. point in time

Duration (how long)	Point in time (when)
i to timer (for two hours)	klokken to (at two o'clock)
i tre dage (for three days)	pa mandag (on Monday)
i mange ar (for many years)	i 2020 (in 2020)

Examples in Context

Danish	English	Note
Jeg rejste for to år siden.	I traveled two years ago.
Vi har ventet i tre timer.	We have waited for three hours.
Hun kommer om lidt.	She's coming in a moment.
Jeg bor her i to måneder.	I'm living here for two months.

Common Mistakes

Transferring English patterns directly

• Wrong: Using English word order or structure when expressing temporal expressions in Danish.
• Right: Follow Danish-specific rules for this grammar point.
• Why: Danish and English handle temporal expressions differently. Learning the Danish pattern as its own system prevents interference from English.

Neglecting subordinate clause word order

• Wrong: Keeping main clause word order when temporal expressions appears in a subordinate clause.
• Right: Remember that adverbs like ikke move before the verb in subordinate clauses.
• Why: The main clause/subordinate clause word order distinction is fundamental in Danish and affects how all grammar structures are used.

Overgeneralizing rules

• Wrong: Applying one pattern to all cases of temporal expressions without considering exceptions.
• Right: Learn both the regular patterns and the common exceptions.
• Why: Danish grammar has regular patterns but also important exceptions, particularly with frequently used words.

Practice Tips

• Write short paragraphs. Practice using temporal expressions in connected text rather than isolated sentences. This builds fluency and helps you internalize the patterns.
• Practice transformations. Take simple sentences and transform them to practice temporal expressions: change tenses, switch between positive and negative, or rephrase using different structures.
• Find a language partner. Practice temporal expressions in conversation with a Danish speaker or fellow learner. Speaking practice is essential for making grammar automatic.

Related Concepts

• Numbers and Time - Parent concept