A2 Danish GrammarPrepositions (Location & Direction)
Master Danish prepositions for location, direction, and time. Learn the difference between 'i' and 'på', and when to use 'til' vs 'mod'.
1I vs På (In/On/At)
'I' is for enclosed spaces, 'på' for surfaces and activities. Many uses are idiomatic.
I vs På Usage
| Use 'i' | Use 'på' | English |
|---|---|---|
| i København | på landet | in Copenhagen / countryside |
| i værelset | på gulvet | in the room / on the floor |
| i skolen | på universitetet | at school / university |
| i bilen | på bussen | in car / on bus |
Examples
Jeg bor i Aarhus.
I live in Aarhus.
Cities use 'i'
Hun arbejder på kontoret.
She works at the office.
Workplaces use 'på'
Bogen ligger på bordet.
The book is on the table.
Surfaces use 'på'
Vi ses på fredag.
See you on Friday.
Days use 'på'
2Direction: Til, Mod, Fra
'Til' for destination, 'mod' for direction, 'fra' for origin.
Direction Prepositions
| Danish | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| til | to | destination |
| mod | towards | direction |
| fra | from | origin |
| gennem | through | passing through |
Examples
Jeg går til butikken.
I'm going to the store.
til = to
Hun løber mod parken.
She runs towards the park.
mod = towards
Toget kommer fra Malmø.
The train comes from Malmø.
fra = from
Vi kørte gennem tunnelen.
We drove through the tunnel.
gennem = through
3Position Prepositions
Prepositions for describing relative position.
Position
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| under | under/below |
| over | over/above |
| bag | behind |
| foran | in front of |
| ved siden af | next to |
| mellem | between |
Examples
Katten sidder under sofaen.
The cat sits under the sofa.
under = under
Fuglen flyver over søen.
The bird flies over the lake.
over = over
Bilen holder bag huset.
The car is behind the house.
bag = behind
Vent foran indgangen.
Wait in front of the entrance.
foran = in front of
4Time Prepositions
Danish time prepositions differ from English.
Examples
Vi ses om en time.
See you in an hour.
om = in (future)
Hun kom for to dage siden.
She came two days ago.
for...siden = ago
Jeg har ventet siden klokken tre.
I've waited since three o'clock.
siden = since
Vi spiser efter filmen.
We eat after the movie.
efter = after