nu/så

Now / Then

Level 1

Nu means 'now' and så means 'then' or 'next'. They are essential for telling stories and giving instructions.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
Nu refers to the immediate present or a very near future intention. Så is used to describe a sequence of events (first this, then that).

2. The V2 Rule (Word Order)
Danish follows a strict Verb-Second (V2) rule. When nu or så starts a main clause, the subject and verb swap places (inversion):

  • Jeg spiser nu. (Standard order)
  • Nu spiser jeg. (Inverted order - Verb is still 2nd)
  • Først sover jeg, så arbejder jeg. (First I sleep, then I work)

3. Nu vs. Så in Commands
In imperatives, these words add different nuances:

  • Kom nu: Pleading or encouraging ("Come on, please!").
  • Kom så: Pushing for action or cheering ("Come on, let's go!").

4. Så vs. Da
Be careful not to confuse så with da. Use så for sequences ("and then...") and da for specific points in the past ("back when...").

Examples (5)

  1. Jeg går nu.

    I am leaving now.

    Word by Word: I go now.

    A simple sentence where 'nu' is placed at the end.

  2. Nu går jeg.

    Now I am leaving.

    Word by Word: Now go I.

    When 'nu' starts the sentence, the verb 'går' must come second, pushing the subject 'jeg' to the third position.

  3. Først drikker vi kaffe, og så spiser vi kage.

    First we drink coffee, and then we eat cake.

    Word by Word: First drink we coffee, and then eat we cake.

    'Så' indicates the next step in the sequence and triggers inversion (spiser vi).

  4. Kom nu, det bliver sjovt!

    Come on, it will be fun!

    Word by Word: Come now, it becomes fun!

    'Nu' here acts as an encouraging particle.

  5. Nu skal jeg nok gøre det.

    I'll do it right away / now.

    Word by Word: Now shall I probably do it.

    'Nu' can signal an immediate future intention.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the V2 rule (inversion) after 'nu' or 'så'.

    Nu jeg spiser.
    Nu spiser jeg.

    In Danish, the verb must be the second element. If 'nu' is first, the verb must follow immediately.

  • Using 'da' instead of 'så' for a sequence of events.

    Jeg vågnede, da drak jeg kaffe.
    Jeg vågnede, så drak jeg kaffe.

    'Da' is for a specific time in the past, while 'så' is for 'next' in a sequence.

How It Connects

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

nu/såLevel 1Now / Then

Learn This First

To use 'nu' (now) and 'så' (then/after that), you need to understand basic sentence structure, how to conjugate verbs in the present tense, and how to use subject pronouns. Specifically, 'så' often requires you to swap the subject and verb (inversion) when it starts a sentence.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

nuså