samme

Same (Samme)

Level 2

The Danish word samme means 'same'. Unlike most adjectives, it never changes its ending, regardless of the noun's gender or number.

How It Works

In Danish, samme is a unique adjective because it is invariable. While other adjectives change based on the noun (like stor, stort, store), samme always stays the same.

1. Usage with Articles
In most cases, you use the free-standing definite article before samme:

  • Den samme + common gender noun (e.g., den samme bil)
  • Det samme + neuter gender noun (e.g., det samme hus)
  • De samme + plural noun (e.g., de samme sko)

Note: The article is often omitted in fixed time expressions, such as samme dag (the same day) or samme aften (the same evening).

2. Comparisons with 'Som'
To say something is the 'same as' something else, use the construction samme ... som. For example: Jeg har den samme bil som dig (I have the same car as you).

3. Idiomatic Use: 'Med det samme'
A very common adverbial phrase is med det samme, which means 'immediately' or 'right away'.

4. Word Order
It follows the standard definite adjective pattern, appearing between the article and the noun. Note that Danish does not use double definiteness here; the noun remains in the indefinite form (den samme bil, not den samme bilen).

Examples (6)

  1. Jeg har den samme trøje på som i går.

    I am wearing the same sweater as yesterday.

    Word by Word: I have the same sweater on as in yesterday.

    This shows the 'samme ... som' construction, used to compare identity with something else.

  2. Vi bor i det samme hus.

    We live in the same house.

    Word by Word: We live in the same house.

    Since 'hus' is neuter gender, we use the article 'det' before 'samme'.

  3. De ankom samme dag.

    They arrived the same day.

    Word by Word: They arrived same day.

    In certain time expressions, the definite article is omitted before 'samme'.

  4. Du skal gøre det med det samme.

    You must do it immediately.

    Word by Word: You shall do it with the same.

    The phrase 'med det samme' is a common idiom meaning 'immediately' or 'right away'.

  5. Det er det samme for mig.

    It is the same to me (I don't mind).

    Word by Word: It is the same for me.

    This is a common idiomatic expression using 'samme' as a pronoun.

  6. Vi har de samme interesser.

    We have the same interests.

    Word by Word: We have the same interests.

    Shows 'samme' used with a plural noun to indicate shared characteristics.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a neuter '-t' ending to 'samme'.

    Det er det sammet hus.
    Det er det samme hus.

    Learners often try to apply the neuter adjective rule, but 'samme' is invariable and never takes a -t.

  • Forgetting the definite article in general descriptions.

    Vi har samme bil.
    Vi har den samme bil.

    While time expressions like 'samme dag' drop the article, standard descriptions usually require den, det, or de before 'samme'.

  • Using double definiteness with 'samme'.

    Den samme bilen.
    Den samme bil.

    When using an article like 'den' before an adjective, the noun must be in its indefinite form. See no double definiteness.

How It Connects

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

sammeLevel 2Same (Samme)

Learn This First

To use 'samme' correctly, you need to understand how Danish handles definite noun phrases with adjectives. Unlike most adjectives that change endings based on gender and number, 'samme' remains invariant, but it still requires the preceding definite articles (den, det, or de) which are determined by the noun's gender and number.

Words in This Pattern

samme