eller

Or

Level 1

Eller means "or." It is used to offer a choice between two or more things, like "kaffe eller te" (coffee or tea).

How It Works

The word eller is a fundamental conjunction in Danish used to provide alternatives.

1. Linking Words and Phrases
You can use eller to link nouns, adjectives, or verbs directly (e.g., "rød eller blå"). Danish usually only places a comma before eller when it connects two full main clauses.

2. Linking Main Clauses
When eller connects two full sentences, the second sentence follows V2 word order. Unlike subordinate clauses where the adverb comes first, here the verb stays in the second position, and adverbs like ikke follow the verb (e.g., "...eller jeg vil ikke med").

3. Spoken Variations: "Eller også" and Tag Questions
In natural speech, Danes often use eller også to connect clauses. You will also hear eller hvad? (or what?) or a trailing eller? at the end of sentences to seek confirmation or show impatience.

4. Eller vs. Ellers
It is important to distinguish eller (or) from ellers (otherwise). Use eller for choices and ellers for consequences (e.g., "Spis nu, ellers bliver maden kold").

5. Exclusive Choice
To emphasize that only one of two options is possible, use the pair enten ... eller (either ... or).

Examples (6)

  1. Vil du have kaffe eller te?

    Do you want coffee or tea?

    Word by Word: Will you have coffee or tea?

    A simple choice between two nouns.

  2. Vi kan se en film, eller også kan vi gå en tur.

    We can watch a movie, or else we can go for a walk.

    Word by Word: We can see a movie, or also can we go a walk.

    The phrase 'eller også' is very common in spoken Danish when connecting two main clauses.

  3. Kommer du nu, eller hvad?

    Are you coming now, or what?

    Word by Word: Come you now, or what?

    A common casual tag question used in spoken Danish to express urgency.

  4. Skal vi spise nu, eller?

    Should we eat now, or...?

    Word by Word: Shall we eat now, or?

    In casual speech, a trailing 'eller?' is often used to leave a question open-ended.

  5. Jeg ved ikke, om han er glad eller trist.

    I don't know if he is happy or sad.

    Word by Word: I know not, if he is happy or sad.

    A choice between two adjectives.

  6. Du skal skynde dig, ellers kommer du for sent.

    You must hurry, otherwise you will be late.

    Word by Word: You shall hurry you, otherwise come you too late.

    Note the difference: 'ellers' (otherwise) indicates a consequence, not just a choice.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'eller' (or) with 'ellers' (otherwise).

    Skynd dig, eller kommer vi for sent.
    Skynd dig, ellers kommer vi for sent.

    Use 'eller' to offer choices. Use ellers to mean 'otherwise' or 'or else' when describing a consequence.

  • Using subordinate word order after 'eller'.

    ...eller jeg ikke kommer.
    ...eller jeg kommer ikke.

    'Eller' is a coordinating conjunction, so it follows V2 word order. Unlike subordinate clauses, the adverb ikke must come after the verb.

  • Using 'eller' instead of 'heller ikke' in negative sentences.

    Jeg vil eller ikke have mad.
    Jeg vil heller ikke have mad.

    In Danish, heller ikke is used for 'not either/neither', while 'eller' is only for choices between alternatives.

How It Connects

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

ellerLevel 1Or

Learn This First

To use 'eller' (or) effectively, you should first understand how to connect simple ideas using 'og' (and) and be familiar with basic question structures, as 'eller' is often used to offer choices in questions.

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eller