ellers

Otherwise / or Else (Ellers)

Level 4

Ellers is a versatile Danish word primarily used to mean 'otherwise' or 'or else'. It is also used to ask if there is 'anything else' or to transition between topics.

How It Works

Ellers serves several distinct functions in Danish:

  • Conditional ('Otherwise'): It warns of a consequence if a condition isn't met. Example: Skynd dig, ellers kommer vi for sent.
  • Additive ('Besides/Anything else'): Frequently used in shops or at the end of conversations to check for additional items. Example: Var der ellers noget?
  • Interrogative ('Else'): Used with question words like hvem or hvad to ask for other options. Example: Hvem ellers? (Who else?)
  • Normally/Usually: Used to describe a general state that contrasts with a specific, current situation. Example: Han er ellers meget flink. (He is normally/usually very kind.)
  • Temporal Nuance ('Until then/Previously'): It can describe a state that existed up until a change occurred. Example: Det var ellers gået godt. (It had been going well until then.)
  • Emphasis/Surprise: Acts as an intensifier in casual speech to emphasize a statement or express that something is better than expected. Example: Det var ellers billigt! (That was actually/really cheap!)
  • Conversational Transition: Used to shift focus to a general state after discussing a specific detail. Example: Hvordan går det ellers?
  • Polite Refusal: The fixed phrase ellers tak is a standard way to say 'no thank you' to an offer.

Syntax Note: Because ellers is an adverb, it follows the V2 word order. If you start a clause with ellers, the verb must follow immediately: Ellers skal jeg... (Otherwise I shall...), not Ellers jeg skal...

Examples (6)

  1. Du skal tage din jakke på, ellers fryser du.

    You should put your jacket on, otherwise you will be cold.

    Word by Word: You shall take your jacket on, otherwise freeze you.

    Here 'ellers' introduces a consequence. Notice the inversion: 'fryser' (verb) comes before 'du' (subject).

  2. Jeg vil gerne have en kop kaffe. Var der ellers noget?

    I would like a cup of coffee. Was there anything else?

    Word by Word: I will gladly have a cup coffee. Was there otherwise something?

    In this context, 'ellers' means 'besides that' or 'anything else'.

  3. Hvem ellers kommer til festen i aften?

    Who else is coming to the party tonight?

    Word by Word: Who otherwise comes to the party in evening?

    When used with question words like 'hvem' (who) or 'hvad' (what), 'ellers' functions like the English 'else'.

  4. Han er ellers meget rolig, men i dag er han sur.

    He is normally very calm, but today he is grumpy.

    Word by Word: He is otherwise very calm, but in day is he sour.

    In this usage, 'ellers' describes a general state or characteristic that contrasts with the current situation.

  5. Det var ellers en flot bil!

    That was actually a nice car!

    Word by Word: It was otherwise a nice car!

    In casual speech, 'ellers' can act as an intensifier to emphasize a statement or express surprise.

  6. Vil du have et stykke kage? Ellers tak, jeg er mæt.

    Do you want a piece of cake? No thanks, I'm full.

    Word by Word: Will you have a piece cake? Otherwise thanks, I am full.

    'Ellers tak' is a fixed polite expression for declining an offer.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the V2 word order after 'ellers'.

    Ellers vi kommer for sent.
    Ellers kommer vi for sent.

    In Danish, 'ellers' is an adverb. When it starts a clause, the verb must come in the second position.

  • Confusing 'ellers' with 'eller'.

    Vil du have kaffe ellers te?
    Vil du have kaffe eller te?

    'Eller' is used for choices between two things. 'Ellers' means 'otherwise'.

  • Using 'ellers tak' to mean 'thanks anyway'.

    Tak for hjælpen, selvom det ikke virkede. Ellers tak.
    Tak for hjælpen, selvom det ikke virkede. Tak alligevel.

    'Ellers tak' is specifically for declining an offer. To say 'thanks anyway' for help that didn't work, use 'tak alligevel'.

How It Connects

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

ellersLevel 4Otherwise / or Else (Ellers)

Learn This First

To understand 'ellers', you need to be familiar with the basic conjunction 'eller' (or) and how Danish word order (V2) shifts when an adverbial like 'ellers' starts a sentence. It is also helpful to know basic politeness markers for common phrases like 'Ellers tak'.

Words in This Pattern

ellers