på
On / at
På is one of the most common Danish prepositions. While it often means on (surface), it is also the standard word for at when referring to many workplaces, islands, and upcoming days.
How It Works
The preposition på is highly versatile and its usage often depends on convention rather than strict logic. Here are the primary ways to use it:
- Physical Location (Surface): Used when something is on top of a surface.
Bogen ligger på bordet (The book is on the table). - Institutions and Workplaces: Danish uses på for many public buildings and work states.
Jeg er på arbejde (I am at work).
Han er på hospitalet (He is at the hospital).
Note: Some common locations are exceptions and use i, such as i skole (at school), i kirke (at church), i biografen (at the cinema), and i banken (at the bank). - Geography: På is used for islands (på Sjælland) and specific city districts, especially those ending in -bro (på Nørrebro). However, countries and cities take i. For Island and Grønland, both på and i are accepted: på is the traditional choice and i is increasingly common.
- Time: Use på to talk about a specific day in the near future.
Vi ses på fredag (See you [this] Friday). It also indicates duration for completing a task: Jeg gjorde det på to timer (I did it in two hours). - Fixed Expressions: Many verbs require på regardless of the English translation. Common ones include vente på (wait for) and tænke på (think of/about).
Examples (5)
- Koppen står på bordet.
The cup is (standing) on the table.
Word by Word: The cup stands on the table.
Here, 'på' indicates a physical surface.
- Jeg arbejder på et kontor.
I work at an office.
Word by Word: I work on an office.
Danish uses 'på' for many types of workplaces.
- Vi skal til Bornholm på lørdag.
We are going to Bornholm on Saturday.
Word by Word: We shall to Bornholm on Saturday.
Use 'på' for upcoming days of the week.
- Han venter på bussen.
He is waiting for the bus.
Word by Word: He waits on the bus.
The verb 'vente' (to wait) always takes the preposition 'på' when you wait for something.
- De bor på en lille ø.
They live on a small island.
Word by Word: They live on a small island.
Islands almost always take 'på' in Danish.
Common Mistakes
Using 'på' for countries or cities.
Jeg bor på Danmark.Jeg bor i Danmark.Countries and cities are viewed as 'containers' and use i, whereas 'på' is for surfaces and islands.
Using 'på' for a city.
Jeg bor på København.Jeg bor i København.Cities take i, even when they lie on an island. Only the island itself takes 'på', as in 'på Sjælland'.
Translating 'waiting for' literally as 'venter for'.
Jeg venter for dig.Jeg venter på dig.In Danish, the fixed expression is 'at vente på'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'på' correctly, you need to understand how Danish nouns are structured (common vs. neuter gender) because 'på' is almost always followed by a noun in its definite form when describing locations. It is also helpful to understand the question word 'hvor' as 'på' provides the spatial answer to such inquiries.
- enIndefinite Article (Common Gender)
Understanding the indefinite article 'en' is necessary to form the definite nouns (like 'bordet' or 'biblioteket') that typically follow the preposition 'på'.
Level 1 - etIndefinite Article (Neuter)
Understanding the indefinite article 'et' is necessary to form the definite nouns (like 'hotellet') that typically follow the preposition 'på'.
Level 1 - hvorWhere
The preposition 'på' is frequently used to answer questions starting with 'hvor' (where) regarding location.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- iIn
'i' (in) is the primary alternative to 'på', used for enclosed spaces, cities, and countries.
Level 1 - vedAt / by (Ved)
'ved' means 'at' or 'by' in the sense of proximity, whereas 'på' implies being on the surface or at an institution.
Level 1 - tilTo
'til' indicates movement towards a destination, while 'på' indicates being at the location.
Level 1 - Days Of The Week
'på' is the specific preposition used to mark upcoming days of the week.
Level 1 - -en/-etDefinite Suffix (-en/-et)
Nouns following 'på' often take the definite suffix when referring to specific institutions like 'på hospitalet'.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice på in Bubblegum
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