skal + Infinitive

Shall / Going to (Skal)

Level 2

In Danish, skal is the most common way to express the future when you have a plan or an appointment. It also expresses a general 'must' or 'have to'.

How It Works

The verb skal is the present tense of at skulle. It is one of the most common words in Danish and has several common uses:

  • Obligation: This is the standard, everyday word for 'must' or 'have to'. Learners often mistakenly use må for obligation, but må can express both permission and necessity. Skal is a useful choice for requirements and obligations. Example: Jeg skal arbejde nu (I have to work now).
  • Planned Future: Use skal when something is already decided or on your calendar. Example: Jeg skal til lægen i morgen (I am going to the doctor tomorrow).
  • Hearsay: It can report what others say about someone. Example: Han skal være meget rig (He is said to be very rich).
  • Suggestions and Offers: Skal vi spise sammen? (Shall we eat together?) proposes an activity; Skal jeg hjælpe dig? (Shall I help you?) offers help.
  • Promises: Jeg skal nok hjælpe dig reassures someone that you will help.

The 'Motion Verb' Shortcut:
As with several other modal verbs, you can omit the main verb if it involves movement (like gå, køre, or rejse) and is followed by a direction. Instead of saying Jeg skal gå hjem, you can say Jeg skal hjem.

Past Form: Skulle is the past form: Jeg skulle arbejde i går (I had to work yesterday). It also appears in tentative suggestions, such as Skulle vi gå en tur? (How about going for a walk?).

Examples (5)

  1. Jeg skal spise aftensmad nu.

    I am going to eat dinner now / I have to eat dinner now.

    Word by Word: I shall eat evening-meal now.

    Here, 'skal' indicates a planned action that is about to happen.

  2. Skal vi se en film i aften?

    Shall we watch a movie tonight?

    Word by Word: Shall we see a film in evening?

    Using 'skal' in a question is the standard way to suggest a plan.

  3. Vi skal til Danmark i næste uge.

    We are going to Denmark next week.

    Word by Word: We shall to Denmark in next week.

    Notice the verb 'rejse' (travel) is omitted because the direction 'til Danmark' makes the movement clear.

  4. Du skal huske din nøgle.

    You must remember your key.

    Word by Word: You shall remember your key.

    In this context, 'skal' expresses a necessary obligation.

  5. Jeg skal nok hjælpe dig.

    I will certainly help you.

    Word by Word: I shall probably help you.

    When paired with 'nok', 'skal' creates a firm promise or reassurance.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'at' before the infinitive.

    Jeg skal at sove.
    Jeg skal sove.

    Modal verbs like 'skal' are followed by the bare infinitive. Never use 'at' (to) with 'skal'.

  • Using hearsay 'skal' when you mean your own neutral prediction.

    Different MeaningDet skal regne i morgen.
    Det kommer til at regne i morgen.

    For your own neutral forecast, use kommer til at. 'Det skal regne' can instead report what the forecast says; it is not ungrammatical and does not mean that rain has intentions.

  • Confusing an arrangement with wanting or intending to work.

    Different MeaningJeg vil arbejde klokken otte.
    Jeg skal arbejde klokken otte.

    For an arrangement, 'skal' is a clear choice. Vil can express wanting or intention as well as future prediction. 'Jeg vil arbejde klokken otte' is grammatical, but can emphasize what you want or intend rather than an appointment.

How It Connects

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skal + InfinitiveLevel 2Shall / Going to (Skal)

Learn This First

To use 'skal + infinitiv', you need to understand how to identify the infinitive form of a verb and how to structure a basic sentence with a subject and a verb.

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Words in This Pattern

skulle