A1 Danish GrammarNegation
Learn to make negative sentences in Danish using 'ikke' (not) and other negative words. Master the correct placement of 'ikke' in main clauses and subordinate clauses, and use words like 'aldrig' (never), 'ingen' (no/none), and 'intet' (nothing).
1Basic Negation with 'ikke'
The main negation word in Danish is 'ikke' (not). In main clauses, 'ikke' comes after the verb. Danish follows V2 (verb second) rule, so in statements: subject + verb + ikke + rest. This is different from English where 'not' often comes before the verb with 'do'.
Positive vs. Negative
| Positive | Negative | English |
|---|---|---|
| Jeg taler dansk. | Jeg taler ikke dansk. | I don't speak Danish. |
| Han er lærer. | Han er ikke lærer. | He is not a teacher. |
| Vi kommer i dag. | Vi kommer ikke i dag. | We're not coming today. |
| Hun kan svømme. | Hun kan ikke svømme. | She cannot swim. |
Examples
Jeg forstår ikke.
I don't understand.
'ikke' after verb 'forstår'
Det er ikke dyrt.
It is not expensive.
'ikke' after 'er'
Vi bor ikke i København.
We don't live in Copenhagen.
'ikke' between verb and place
Jeg vil ikke have kaffe.
I don't want coffee.
'ikke' after modal 'vil'
2Negation in Questions
In questions, 'ikke' typically comes after the subject. The word order is: verb + subject + ikke + rest. This applies to both yes/no questions and questions with question words. Negative questions often express surprise or expectation.
Negative Questions
| Type | Danish | English |
|---|---|---|
| Yes/No | Kommer du ikke? | Aren't you coming? |
| Hv-word | Hvorfor spiser du ikke? | Why don't you eat? |
| Modal | Kan du ikke hjælpe? | Can't you help? |
| Surprise | Er det ikke fint? | Isn't it nice? |
Examples
Har du ikke tid?
Don't you have time?
'ikke' after subject 'du'
Hvorfor arbejder du ikke?
Why aren't you working?
Question word + verb + subject + ikke
Ved du det ikke?
Don't you know that?
Expresses mild surprise
Vil du ikke have mere?
Don't you want more?
'ikke' after subject in question
3Other Negative Words
Danish has several other negative words: 'aldrig' (never), 'ingen' (no one/none), 'ingenting/intet' (nothing), 'hverken...eller' (neither...nor). These words make the sentence negative without needing 'ikke'. You cannot use double negatives in Danish.
Negative Words
| Danish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| aldrig | never | Jeg kommer aldrig for sent. |
| ingen | no one/none | Ingen ved det. |
| ingenting/intet | nothing | Der er intet at spise. |
| heller ikke | neither/not either | Jeg kommer heller ikke. |
Examples
Jeg har aldrig været i Danmark.
I have never been to Denmark.
'aldrig' replaces 'ikke'
Ingen forstår mig.
No one understands me.
'ingen' as subject = no one
Der er ingenting at gøre.
There is nothing to do.
'ingenting' = nothing
Hun er heller ikke sulten.
She is not hungry either.
'heller ikke' = not...either
4Negation in Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses (after words like 'at', 'fordi', 'når'), 'ikke' comes before the verb. This is different from main clauses. The word order changes to: conjunction + subject + ikke + verb. This is important for complex sentences.
Main vs. Subordinate Clause
| Type | Word Order | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main | S + V + ikke | Jeg taler ikke dansk. |
| Subordinate | at S + ikke + V | ...at jeg ikke taler dansk. |
| Main | Han kommer ikke. | He is not coming. |
| Subordinate | fordi han ikke kommer | because he is not coming |
Examples
Jeg ved, at hun ikke kommer.
I know that she is not coming.
'ikke' before 'kommer' in subordinate
Fordi jeg ikke forstår dansk...
Because I don't understand Danish...
'ikke' before verb after 'fordi'
NÃ¥r du ikke har tid, siger du det.
When you don't have time, you say so.
'ikke' before 'har' after 'når'
Han siger, at han aldrig har været der.
He says that he has never been there.
'aldrig' before verb in subordinate