Likes And Preferences

Level 1

Danish uses the fixed phrase kan godt lide to say 'like' and elsker to say 'love'. For opinions, use synes om.

How It Works

In Danish, expressing what you like involves a few specific constructions:

  • Kan godt lide: This is the standard way to say 'like'. While you can technically say kan lide, adding godt makes it sound natural and idiomatic. In the negative, godt is usually dropped: Jeg kan ikke lide...
  • Holder af: This is a common 'middle ground' expression. It is stronger and more affectionate than kan lide, but less intense than elsker. It is often used for people you care about or things you are fond of.
  • Elsker: This means 'love'. Danes use this more sparingly than English speakers, typically reserving it for family, partners, or very deep passions. For things you just 'really like', use kan rigtig godt lide instead.
  • Synes om: This is used when you are giving an opinion or evaluation of something you have experienced, like a movie or a book. It is slightly more formal than kan lide.
  • Bryde sig om: This is almost always used in the negative (bryder mig ikke om) to express a polite or formal dislike, similar to 'I don't care for...'.

Grammar Note: In the phrase kan lide, only the verb kan changes for tense. The word lide is a frozen infinitive and never takes an ending (no -r or -t). When followed by an activity, use at + infinitive.

Examples (6)

  1. Jeg kan godt lide kaffe.

    I like coffee.

    Word by Word: I can well like coffee.

    This is the standard, most natural way to express a simple preference for a noun.

  2. Jeg kan ikke lide at løbe.

    I don't like running.

    Word by Word: I can not like to run.

    In negative sentences, 'godt' is usually removed. We use 'at' before the verb 'løbe'.

  3. Min søster elsker sin hund.

    My sister loves her dog.

    Word by Word: My sister loves her dog.

    Using 'elsker' shows a deep emotional connection, appropriate for a pet or family member.

  4. Hvad synes du om filmen?

    What do you think of the movie?

    Word by Word: What think you about the-movie?

    'Synes om' is used here because it asks for an opinion or evaluation of a specific experience.

  5. Jeg kan rigtig godt lide at svømme.

    I really like swimming.

    Word by Word: I can really well like to swim.

    Adding 'rigtig' (really) is the natural way to show strong preference without using the word 'love'.

  6. Jeg bryder mig ikke om hans tone.

    I don't care for his tone.

    Word by Word: I break me not about his tone.

    This uses 'bryde sig om' in the negative to express a polite or formal dislike.

Common Mistakes

  • Conjugating the word 'lide'.

    Jeg lider kaffe.
    Jeg kan godt lide kaffe.

    'Lide' is a fixed part of the idiom and never changes. Only the modal verb 'kan' (or 'kunne' in the past) is conjugated.

  • Using 'elsker' when you mean a milder 'like'.

    Different MeaningJeg elsker denne sandwich.
    Jeg kan rigtig godt lide denne sandwich.

    'Jeg elsker denne sandwich' is natural and common, but it is a stronger word. 'Kan rigtig godt lide' says the same thing in a milder way.

  • Keeping 'godt' in negative sentences.

    Jeg kan ikke godt lide te.
    Jeg kan ikke lide te.

    In Danish, 'godt' is typically dropped when using 'ikke' (not), unless you specifically mean 'not very well'.

How It Connects

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

Likes And PreferencesLevel 1

Learn This First

To express likes and preferences in Danish, you need to be familiar with subject pronouns to identify the person, the use of 'ikke' for negative preferences, and the 'at + infinitive' structure for expressing likes regarding activities.

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Words in This Pattern

kunne lideelskesynes om