gide

Be Bothered to (Gide)

Level 3

Gide (present: gider, past: gad) is a unique Danish verb used to express mental energy or willingness. It is most commonly used with ikke to say you 'can't be bothered' to do something.

How It Works

The verb gide is essential for natural, colloquial Danish. It describes the inclination or mental capacity to do something.

1. Negative Usage (The most common)
In the negative form, gider ikke, it means 'can't be bothered' or 'don't feel like it.' It often implies a slight laziness or lack of interest.
Example: Jeg gider ikke lave lektier. (I can't be bothered to do homework.)

2. Positive Inclination with 'godt'
While gide is often negative, you can use the modal particle godt to express a positive willingness or that you don't mind doing something.
Example: Jeg gider godt hjælpe dig. (I'm happy to help you / I don't mind helping you.)

3. Questions and Requests
In questions, Gider du...? is a very common, informal way to ask for a favor. It sounds like 'Would you mind...?' and is often softened with the modal particle lige.
Example: Gider du lige række mig saltet? (Would you mind just passing me the salt?)

4. The Idiom 'Gad vide'
The past tense gad is used in the fixed expression gad vide, which means 'I wonder.' In colloquial speech, the subject jeg is frequently omitted.
Example: (Jeg) gad vide, hvem hun er. (I wonder who she is.)

5. Grammar and Syntax

  • Conjugation: It is a strong verb with the forms: gider (present), gad (past), and gidet (past participle).
  • Bare Infinitive: Like kan or skal, it usually takes the infinitive without at.
  • Direct Objects: You can also 'gide' a noun. Jeg gider ikke den sang. (I'm not in the mood for that song.)

Examples (5)

  1. Jeg gider ikke vaske op i dag.

    I can't be bothered to do the dishes today.

    Word by Word: I bother not wash up in day.

    This uses the present tense 'gider' with 'ikke' to show a lack of willingness to do a chore.

  2. Gider du lige række mig saltet?

    Would you mind just passing me the salt?

    Word by Word: Bother you just reach me salt-the?

    A polite, informal request using 'gider' followed by the bare infinitive 'række'.

  3. Jeg gad godt se den nye film.

    I would really like to see the new movie.

    Word by Word: I bothered well see the new movie.

    When used positively, 'gad godt' expresses a strong wish or inclination.

  4. Jeg gad vide, hvornår de kommer.

    I wonder when they are coming.

    Word by Word: I bothered know, when they come.

    This is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning 'I wonder'.

  5. Han har ikke gidet svare på min besked.

    He hasn't bothered to answer my message.

    Word by Word: He has not bothered answer on my message.

    This shows the past participle 'gidet' used in the perfect tense.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong past tense form.

    Jeg gidede ikke gå i går.
    Jeg gad ikke gå i går.

    Learners often try to make 'gide' regular. The correct past tense is 'gad'.

  • Misplacing 'ikke' in the perfect tense.

    Jeg har gidet ikke.
    Jeg har ikke gidet.

    In compound tenses, the negation 'ikke' must come before the past participle 'gidet'.

  • Using 'gide' when you mean you lack the energy.

    Different MeaningJeg gider ikke løbe en maraton.
    Jeg orker ikke løbe en maraton.

    'Gide' is about mental willingness/laziness, while 'orke' is about physical or mental stamina/energy.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

gideLevel 3Be Bothered to (Gide)

Learn This First

To use 'gide' correctly, you need to understand how it behaves like a modal verb (taking an infinitive without 'at') and how it interacts with negation, as it is most commonly used to express a lack of motivation or energy to do something.

Words in This Pattern

gide