-ning

Action Noun -ning

Level 3

The suffix -ning (or -ing) transforms a verb into a noun. While it can represent an action, it often refers to the concrete result or a specific technical process. It is similar to the English '-ing' noun (e.g., 'building', 'calculation').

How It Works

The -ning suffix is a productive way to create nouns from verbs in Danish.

1. Formation:
To form these nouns, add the suffix to the verb stem. For verbs ending in -e, remove the -e first. For verbs ending in other vowels, add the suffix directly.

  • at bygge (to build) → en bygning (a building)
  • at løse (to solve) → en løsning (a solution)
  • at sy (to sew) → en syning (a sewing/seam)

2. The -ing Suffix:
The variant -ing is used when the verb stem ends in -d, -l, -n, or -r.

  • at lære (to learn) → læring (learning)
  • at sejle (to sail) → sejling (sailing)
  • at regne (to calculate) → regning (a bill)
  • at blande (to mix) → blanding (a mixture)

3. Result vs. Process:
Nouns ending in -ning often denote the concrete result of an action. If a verb has both a -ning form and an -else form, the -ning form is usually the result or technical term, while the -else form refers to the abstract process.

4. Gender:
Nouns ending in -ning or -ing are almost exclusively common gender (en-ord).

Examples (4)

  1. Undervisningen begynder klokken ni.

    The teaching begins at nine o'clock.

    Word by Word: The-teaching begins clock-the nine.

    Here, the verb 'at undervise' (to teach) becomes the noun 'undervisning' to describe the activity of instruction.

  2. Rygning er ikke tilladt her.

    Smoking is not allowed here.

    Word by Word: Smoking is not allowed here.

    The verb 'at ryge' (to smoke) is turned into a noun to state a rule about the activity.

  3. Vi har brug for en løsning nu.

    We need a solution now.

    Word by Word: We have use for a solution now.

    'Løsning' comes from 'at løse' (to solve). It describes the result or the act of solving.

  4. Hans læring går rigtig stærkt.

    His learning is going really fast.

    Word by Word: His learning goes really fast.

    Note the use of '-ing' instead of '-ning' because the stem 'lær-' ends in 'r'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong gender (et instead of en).

    Det er et god løsning.
    Det er en god løsning.

    Nouns ending in -ning are common gender (en-ord), so they require 'en' and common-gender adjective forms.

  • Confusing -ning with the present participle -ende.

    Jeg kan godt lide læsende.
    Jeg kan godt lide læsning.

    The suffix -ende is used for adjectives (et læsende barn, a reading child), while -ning is used for the noun (læsning, the act of reading).

  • Forgetting to drop the infinitive -e.

    spisening
    spisning

    For verbs ending in -e, you must remove the final -e from the infinitive 'spise' before adding the suffix.

How It Connects

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-ningLevel 3Action Noun -ning

Learn This First

To understand the -ning suffix, you need to know how to identify the stem of a Danish verb and recognize that the resulting noun will always be common gender (en-køn). This pattern is a way of turning an action (a verb) into a thing or a concept (a noun).

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Words in This Pattern

-ning