Common Irregular Verbs

Level 1

While most Danish verbs add -r to the infinitive (e.g., spise → spiser), about a dozen essential verbs have unique present-tense forms like er, har, and kan.

How It Works

In Danish, the present tense is usually very simple: just add -r to the infinitive form of the verb. However, the most frequent verbs are exceptions. These fall into three main categories:

1. Suppletion (Total Change): The verb være (to be) becomes er. It looks nothing like its infinitive.

2. Contraction (Shortening): Some verbs shorten their root but still end in -r. For example, have becomes har (not haver), and gøre (to do/make) becomes gør.

3. Preterite-Present (No -r suffix): These are mostly modal verbs. They do not take the standard -r suffix. Examples include kunne → kan, skulle → skal, ville → vil, vide → ved, måtte → må, and turde → tør. Note that while some (like bør) might end in 'r', it is part of the stem, not an added suffix.

Important Note: Unlike English, Danish verbs do not change based on the person (I, you, he, we). Jeg er, du er, and vi er all use the same form.

Examples (6)

  1. Jeg ved ikke, hvor han er.

    I don't know where he is.

    Word by Word: I know not, where he is.

    Uses 'ved' (from vide) and 'er' (from være), two of the most common irregular forms.

  2. Hun gør sit bedste hver dag.

    She does her best every day.

    Word by Word: She does her best every day.

    'Gør' is the irregular present tense of 'gøre'. Note that it still ends in -r.

  3. Vi kan tale dansk nu.

    We can speak Danish now.

    Word by Word: We can speak Danish now.

    'Kan' is a modal verb and does not take the -r suffix in the present tense.

  4. De har en stor bil.

    They have a big car.

    Word by Word: They have a big car.

    'Har' is the shortened irregular form of 'have'. Like 'gør', it still ends in -r.

  5. Jeg vil gerne have en kaffe.

    I would like a coffee.

    Word by Word: I will gladly have a coffee.

    'Vil' (from ville) is a common irregular verb that does not take the -r suffix.

  6. Jeg skal hjem nu.

    I am going home now / I must go home now.

    Word by Word: I shall home now.

    'Skal' (from skulle) is irregular and often implies movement when used without a main verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding -r to modal verbs or 'vide'.

    Jeg vider det ikke. / Han kanr svømme.
    Jeg ved det ikke. / Han kan svømme.

    Learners often try to apply the regular -r rule to verbs like 'vide' (ved) and 'kunne' (kan). These verbs must end in a consonant.

  • Adding an -s for the third person (he/she/it).

    Hun ers glad.
    Hun er glad.

    English speakers often carry over the 's' from 'is' or 'has'. In Danish, the verb form is identical for all subjects.

  • Confusing 'vide' and 'kende'.

    Jeg ved ham.
    Jeg kender ham.

    Use 'ved' for facts and information. Use 'kender' (which is a regular verb) for people, places, or being acquainted with something.

How It Connects

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Common Irregular VerbsLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand irregular verbs, you first need to know the standard rule for forming the present tense in Danish. It is also helpful to be familiar with the infinitive forms of the most common verbs like 'to be' and 'to have' before learning their unique present tense conjugations.

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Patterns that build on this one.