før (konjunktion)

Before (Før/inden)

Level 2

Use før or inden to say 'before' when connecting two actions. Note that they change the word order of the sentence that follows.

How It Works

The conjunctions før and inden are used to indicate that one event happens earlier than another.

1. Før vs. Inden
In modern Danish, inden is significantly more common than før when used as a conjunction to connect two clauses. While they are often interchangeable, før is more frequently used as a preposition (e.g., 'før middag').

2. Word Order and Commas
Because these are subordinating conjunctions, the clause they introduce follows subordinate clause word order. This means that sentence adverbs like ikke must be placed before the verb. In written Danish, you should place a comma before the conjunction when it starts a new clause (the 'startkomma' rule).

3. Tense Usage
When talking about the future, Danish uses the present tense in the clause starting with før or inden, even if the main clause uses a future construction like skal or vil. For example: Jeg ringer, før han kommer (I will call before he arrives).

4. 'Not Until'
To express 'not until', Danish often uses ikke før. However, a very common single-word alternative is først (e.g., 'Han kommer først i morgen' - He isn't coming until tomorrow).

5. Formal Variant
You may occasionally see førend in older books or very formal writing, but it is rarely used in modern spoken Danish.

Examples (4)

  1. Jeg vasker hænder, før jeg spiser.

    I wash hands before I eat.

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

    A simple sequence of two actions using 'før'.

  2. Vi skal gå, inden det begynder at regne.

    We must go before it starts to rain.

    Word by Word: We shall go, before it begins to rain.

    Here 'inden' is used, suggesting a deadline before the rain starts.

  3. Han kommer ikke, før han er færdig med arbejdet.

    He isn't coming until he is finished with work.

    Word by Word: He comes not, before he is finished with the work.

    Notice how 'ikke før' translates to 'not until' in English.

  4. Vi må spise, før maden ikke er varm længere.

    We must eat before the food is no longer warm.

    Word by Word: We must eat, before the food not is warm longer.

    This demonstrates subordinate clause word order: the adverb ikke comes before the verb 'er' inside the 'før'-clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using main clause word order after 'før'.

    Jeg går hjem, før det bliver ikke mørkt.
    Jeg går hjem, før det ikke bliver mørkt.

    In a subordinate clause, the adverb 'ikke' must come before the verb. You cannot use the standard V2 word order here.

  • Adding 'at' after 'før'.

    Vi spiser, før at vi går.
    Vi spiser, før vi går.

    Unlike 'efter at' (after), 'før' and 'inden' do not require the word 'at' when they function as conjunctions.

How It Connects

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

før (konjunktion)Level 2Before (Før/inden)

Learn This First

To use 'før' or 'inden' as conjunctions, you need to understand how to build subordinate clauses in Danish, as these words introduce a dependent clause that describes an event happening after the main clause. Familiarity with basic temporal markers and general subordinate clause word order is essential.

Words in This Pattern

før