for

For (For)

Level 1

The Danish preposition for is used to express gratitude (thanks for), doing something on behalf of someone (for you), or indicating excess (too cold).

How It Works

The word for is one of the most common words in Danish. Its usage can be broken down into several key categories:

  • Reason and Gratitude: It is the standard way to say 'thanks for'.
    Example: Tak for maden (Thanks for the food).
  • Conjunction (Because): For connects two sentences to explain a reason. It is slightly more formal than fordi. Crucially, it introduces a coordinated explanation with main-clause order, unlike an ordinary fordi-clause. It can begin a new written sentence that explains the preceding one, but cannot be fronted as a subordinate reason clause before its own main clause.
    Example: Jeg spiser, for jeg er sulten.
  • Beneficiary (On behalf of): Use for when you do something to help someone else or in their place.
    Example: Jeg gør det for dig (I do it for you).
  • Price and Exchange: Use for to state how much something costs.
    Example: Jeg købte den for en tier (I bought it for a tenner).
  • Excess (Too): When for comes before an adjective, it means 'too'.
    Example: Det er for dyrt (It is too expensive).
  • Spatial Relations: It indicates position relative to something else, often in fixed phrases like nord for (north of) or uden for (outside of).
  • Perspective: Use it to show how something appears to a specific person.
    Example: Det er svært for mig (It is difficult for me).
  • Purpose: Use for at + verb to show human intent (in order to). Note that til at is used for the function of objects (e.g., a knife til at skære med).
  • Fixed Expressions: A very common phrase is for eksempel (for example).

Note: Be careful not to confuse for with til. Use til for the recipient of a physical gift, but for for the person you are helping.

Time: For ... Siden: Vi flyttede hertil for to år siden (We moved here two years ago). Place the duration between for and siden. This locates an event before now; it is different from i to år (for two years) describing duration and om to år (in two years) pointing forward.

Examples (6)

  1. Mange tak for hjælpen.

    Many thanks for the help.

    Word by Word: Many thanks for help-the.

    Here 'for' marks the reason for the gratitude.

  2. Jeg køber ind for min mormor.

    I am grocery shopping for my grandmother.

    Word by Word: I buy in for my grandmother.

    Using 'for' here implies you are doing the task on her behalf without saying why she is not doing it herself.

  3. Kaffen er for varm.

    The coffee is too hot.

    Word by Word: Coffee-the is too hot.

    When 'for' precedes an adjective, it indicates excess (too).

  4. Jeg købte bogen for 100 kroner.

    I bought the book for 100 kroner.

    Word by Word: I bought book-the for 100 kroner.

    'For' is used to indicate price or exchange.

  5. Vi bor nord for København.

    We live north of Copenhagen.

    Word by Word: We live north for Copenhagen.

    'For' is used in spatial relations to indicate position relative to a place.

  6. Jeg kan lide frugt, for eksempel æbler.

    I like fruit, for example apples.

    Word by Word: I can like fruit, for example apples.

    'For eksempel' is a very common fixed expression meaning 'for example'.

Common Mistakes

  • Starting a sentence with 'for' as a conjunction.

    For jeg var træt, gik jeg i seng.
    Jeg gik i seng, for jeg var træt.

    Unlike fordi, conjunction for cannot introduce a fronted subordinate reason clause. It can begin a separate explanatory sentence after an earlier statement; the restriction is structural, not a ban on capital For.

  • Using 'for' instead of 'til' for a recipient.

    Her er en gave for dig.
    Her er en gave til dig.

    If you are giving a physical object to someone, use til. For can indicate an action done on their behalf, among its other meanings.

  • Using 'for' to translate 'waiting for'.

    Jeg venter for bussen.
    Jeg venter på bussen.

    In Danish, the verb 'vente' (to wait) always takes the preposition på, never 'for'.

How It Connects

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forLevel 1For (For)

Learn This First

To understand the preposition 'for', learners should be familiar with object pronouns, as 'for' often marks a recipient. Additionally, knowing the basic word for 'thanks' is helpful since 'for' is essential for expressing gratitude for specific things in Danish.

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