lægge/stille/sætte
Placement Verbs
Danish doesn't have one word for 'put.' You must choose based on how the object sits: lægge (horizontal), stille (vertical/standing), or sætte (seated/broad base).
How It Works
In Danish, the choice of verb for 'placing' something depends on the physical posture the object will have once it is moved:
- Lægge: Used for objects that will lie flat or horizontally. Examples: a book on its side, a pen, a rug, or a person lying down. Conjugation: lægger, lagde, har lagt.
- Stille: Used for objects that stand upright, usually on a narrow base. Examples: a bottle, a vase, a glass, or a ladder. Conjugation: stiller, stillede, har stillet.
- Sætte: Used for objects placed on a broad base or in a 'seated' position. Examples: a cup, a bowl, a box, or a person sitting down. Conjugation: sætter, satte, har sat.
These verbs are often used as reflexive verbs when you move yourself (e.g., Jeg lægger mig - I lie down). They are strictly for the action of moving something; if the object is already there, you must use position verbs instead.
Examples (5)
- Jeg lægger bogen på bordet.
I am laying the book on the table (flat).
Word by Word: I lay book-the on table-the.
Use 'lægge' because the book is being placed horizontally.
- Vil du stille flasken i køleskabet?
Will you put the bottle in the fridge?
Word by Word: Will you stand bottle-the in fridge-the?
Use 'stille' because a bottle stands upright on a narrow base.
- Hun sætter koppen på hylden.
She sets the cup on the shelf.
Word by Word: She sets cup-the on shelf-the.
Use 'sætte' for a cup, as it has a broad base and 'sits' on the surface.
- Jeg lægger mig på sofaen nu.
I am lying down on the sofa now.
Word by Word: I lay myself on sofa-the now.
This is a reflexive use of 'lægge' to describe the action of lying down.
- Han stillede et svært spørgsmål.
He asked (posed) a difficult question.
Word by Word: He stood a difficult question.
This is a common idiomatic use of 'stille' meaning 'to pose' a question.
Common Mistakes
Using the static 'ligge' (state) instead of the active 'lægge' (action).
Jeg ligger bogen på bordet.Jeg lægger bogen på bordet.'Ligge' means the book is already lying there. 'Lægge' is the action of putting it there.
Using 'spørge' (to ask a person) instead of 'stille' for a question.
Må jeg spørge et spørgsmål?Må jeg stille et spørgsmål?In Danish, you 'stand' (stille) a question, you don't 'ask' (spørge) a question.
Confusing the past tense forms 'lå' and 'lagde'.
Jeg lå bogen på bordet i går.Jeg lagde bogen på bordet i går.'Lå' is the past of 'ligge' (was lying). 'Lagde' is the past of 'lægge' (placed/laid).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn placement verbs, you need to understand the distinction between static position (ligge/stå/sidde) and the action of placing something (lægge/stille/sætte). You also need to be familiar with common prepositions of place and how reflexive pronouns work, as 'sætte' is often used reflexively.
- ligge/stå/siddePosition Verbs
The placement verbs (lægge/stille/sætte) are the transitive counterparts to the position verbs (ligge/stå/sidde). Understanding the difference between being in a position and putting something into that position is essential.
Level 2 - Reflexive Verbs
The verb 'sætte' is frequently used reflexively ('sætte sig') to mean 'to sit down', requiring knowledge of reflexive verb structures.
Level 2
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice lægge/stille/sætte in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Danish lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
