før

Before (Før)

Level 2

før = before
Used for time: før jul (before Christmas), før jeg går (before I go), or før (before/previously).

How It Works

1. As a Preposition
When used before a noun or pronoun, før indicates a point in time earlier than that reference.
Example: før middag (before dinner).

2. As a Subordinating Conjunction
When før starts a clause, it triggers subordinate clause word order. This means that sentence adverbs like ikke (not) must come before the verb.
Example: ...før han ikke spiser (before he doesn't eat).

3. As an Adverb
It can stand alone at the end of a sentence to mean 'previously' or 'before now'.
Example: Jeg har set ham før (I have seen him before).

4. Før vs. Inden
While often interchangeable as conjunctions, før is strictly temporal, while inden can imply a deadline ('by the time') or a duration ('within').

Examples (5)

  1. Vi skal være færdige før klokken otte.

    We must be finished before eight o'clock.

    Word by Word: We shall be finished before clock eight.

    Here, 'før' acts as a preposition followed by a specific time.

  2. Husk at låse døren, før du går.

    Remember to lock the door before you leave.

    Word by Word: Remember to lock door-the, before you go.

    In this sentence, 'før' is a conjunction connecting two actions.

  3. Det har jeg aldrig prøvet før.

    I have never tried that before.

    Word by Word: That have I never tried before.

    Here, 'før' is an adverb referring to any time in the past.

  4. Jeg vasker hænder, før jeg spiser.

    I wash hands before I eat.

    Word by Word: I wash hands, before I eat.

    A simple example of 'før' as a conjunction.

  5. Han kommer altid før mig.

    He always arrives before me.

    Word by Word: He comes always before me.

    Using 'før' as a preposition with a pronoun.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'for' instead of 'før'.

    Jeg kommer for klokken fem.
    Jeg kommer før klokken fem.

    'For' means 'for' or 'because'. 'Før' is the word for 'before' in a temporal sense.

  • Incorrect word order in a 'før' clause.

    Jeg går, før han kommer ikke.
    Jeg går, før han ikke kommer.

    Because 'før' is a subordinating conjunction, 'ikke' must come before the verb.

  • Using 'før' with 'at' + infinitive.

    Jeg læser før at sove.
    Jeg læser, før jeg sover.

    In Danish, 'før' cannot be followed directly by 'at' + infinitive. You must use a full clause (subject + verb).

How It Connects

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

førLevel 2Before (Før)

Learn This First

To use 'før' correctly, you need to understand its dual role as both a preposition (used with nouns and time) and a conjunction (used to link clauses). Understanding how Danish structures subordinate clauses is essential for the conjunction usage.

Words in This Pattern

førførfør