siden

Since (Siden)

Level 2

Siden is primarily used to mark a starting point in time that continues to the present ('since'). It also functions as a causal marker ('because/as') and an adverb ('since then').

How It Works

1. Temporal Use (Since)
When used for time, siden indicates that something started in the past and is still relevant.

  • Preposition: Used with a specific point: siden jul (since Christmas).
  • Conjunction: Used to start a subordinate clause: siden han flyttede. In this temporal sense, the main clause usually requires the present perfect.

2. Causal Use (Seeing as / Since)
In formal or literary Danish, siden can act like eftersom or da to provide a reason that is already known or shared background information. Unlike fordi, which provides new information, causal siden sets the scene (e.g., 'Since you're already here...'). In everyday speech, da is more common for this purpose.

3. The 'Ago' Construction
One of the most common uses is the pattern for ... siden. It surrounds a time period to mean 'ago': for to timer siden (two hours ago).

4. Adverbial Use (Since then / Later)
It can stand alone to mean 'since that time' (e.g., Jeg har ikke set hende siden) or as a synonym for 'later/afterwards' (e.g., Vi ses siden).

5. Word Order
When siden introduces a clause, remember the placement of ikke: the adverb comes before the verb.

Examples (6)

  1. Jeg har boet her siden 2010.

    I have lived here since 2010.

    Word by Word: I have lived here since 2010.

    Here, 'siden' is a preposition followed by a specific point in time.

  2. Vi har været glade, siden vi fik en hund.

    We have been happy since we got a dog.

    Word by Word: We have been happy, since we got a dog.

    Here, 'siden' is a conjunction. Note the use of the perfect tense in the main clause for this temporal meaning.

  3. Siden du alligevel er her, kan du så ikke hjælpe mig?

    Since you are here anyway, couldn't you help me?

    Word by Word: Since you anyway are here, can you then not help me?

    This shows the formal causal use (seeing as), providing a reason that is already known to the listener.

  4. Jeg flyttede til Danmark for tre år siden.

    I moved to Denmark three years ago.

    Word by Word: I moved to Denmark for three years since.

    This uses the 'for ... siden' construction to mean 'ago'.

  5. Vi ses siden!

    See you later!

    Word by Word: We see-each-other later!

    In this context, 'siden' is an adverb meaning 'later' or 'afterwards', similar to 'senere'.

  6. Jeg har ikke set ham, siden han ikke bor her længere.

    I haven't seen him since he doesn't live here anymore.

    Word by Word: I have not seen him, since he not lives here longer.

    Notice how 'ikke' comes before the verb 'bor' because 'siden' starts a subordinate clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'siden' alone to mean 'ago'.

    Jeg kom til Danmark tre år siden.
    Jeg kom til Danmark for tre år siden.

    To say 'ago', you must use the circumposition for ... siden. 'Siden' alone only means 'since'.

  • Incorrect word order with 'ikke' in a 'siden' clause.

    Jeg har været syg, siden jeg kom ikke hjem.
    Jeg har været syg, siden jeg ikke kom hjem.

    In a subordinate clause starting with 'siden', sentence adverbs like 'ikke' must come before the verb.

  • Using 'da' instead of 'siden' for ongoing duration.

    Jeg har arbejdet her, da jeg var ung.
    Jeg har arbejdet her, siden jeg var ung.

    Use da for a single point in the past ('when'). Use 'siden' if the timeframe starts in the past and continues to now.

How It Connects

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

sidenLevel 2Since (Siden)

Learn This First

To use 'siden' correctly, you need to understand how to form the present perfect tense, as 'siden' often marks the starting point of an ongoing state. Additionally, because 'siden' can function as a conjunction, you must be familiar with Danish subordinate clause structure.

Words in This Pattern

sidensidensiden