🇩🇰A2

A2 Danish GrammarParticle Verbs (Phrasal Verbs)

Learn Danish particle verbs (partikelverber) where a verb combines with a particle (small word like 'op', 'ned', 'ud') to create new meanings. Understand when the particle separates from the verb and how placement affects meaning. Master common phrasal verbs for everyday Danish.

1What Are Particle Verbs?

Danish particle verbs consist of a verb + a particle (adverb/preposition) that together create a new meaning. Common particles include: op (up), ned (down), ud (out), ind (in), på (on), af (off). The particle can be stressed and often changes or intensifies the verb's meaning.

Common Particle Verbs

Base Verb	Particle Verb	Meaning
stå (stand)	stå op	get up
gå (go)	gå ud	go out
tage (take)	tage af	take off
sætte (put)	sætte ind	put in/insert

Examples

Jeg står op klokken syv.

I get up at seven o'clock.

stå + op = get up (wake up)

Hun går ud i haven.

She goes out into the garden.

gå + ud = go out

Tag jakken af!

Take off your jacket!

tage + af = take off

Vi lukker vinduet op.

We open the window.

lukke + op = open (lit. close up)

2Particle Position in Main Clauses

In main clauses with a simple verb, the particle usually comes after the verb and any unstressed pronouns. With noun objects, the particle can come before or after the object. When the particle is stressed, it tends to come at the end. Word order is flexible but the verb must be in second position (V2).

Particle Position with Objects

Type	Pattern	Example
Pronoun object	V + pron + particle	Jeg tager den af
Noun object	V + particle + noun	Jeg tager af jakken
Noun object (alt)	V + noun + particle	Jeg tager jakken af
No object	V + particle	Jeg står op

Examples

Sluk lyset.

Turn off the light.

Particle fused: slukke = turn off

Ring mig op i morgen.

Call me tomorrow.

ringe op = call (phone)

Skriv det ned!

Write it down!

skrive ned = write down

Han tændte fjernsynet.

He turned on the TV.

tænde = turn on (fused verb)

3Particles in Subordinate Clauses

In subordinate clauses, the particle stays attached to the verb at the end. Since the verb moves to final position in subordinate clauses, the particle goes with it. This is different from main clauses where they can be separated.

Main vs Subordinate Position

Main Clause	Subordinate Clause
Jeg står op	...når jeg står op
Hun går ud	...fordi hun går ud
Vi tager jakken af	...at vi tager jakken af
De lukker op	...når de lukker op

Examples

Jeg ved, at han står op klokken seks.

I know that he gets up at six.

Subordinate: particle with verb

Fordi hun ikke går ud, bliver hun hjemme.

Because she doesn't go out, she stays home.

'ikke' before 'går ud'

Når vi tager tøjet af, er vi klar til sengen.

When we take off our clothes, we are ready for bed.

Subordinate clause word order

Jeg tror, at butikken lukker op klokken ni.

I think that the store opens at nine.

lukke op = open

4Common Particle Verbs List

Here are essential Danish particle verbs to learn. Some create predictable meanings (gå ind = go in), while others are idiomatic (finde ud af = find out). Pay attention to which combinations are common and learn them as vocabulary units.