så

So (Så)

Level 2

Use så to connect two sentences where the second sentence is the result of the first. It functions like the English 'so'.

How It Works

The word så is one of the most common linkers in Danish. When used to express a result, it follows these rules:

1. Word Order: Because it is a coordinating conjunction (like og or men), the clause following it keeps its normal order: Subject + Verb + Adverb. Unlike adverbs like derfor, it does not cause the verb and subject to swap places.

2. Negation: If you want to say 'so I did not...', the word ikke must come after the verb. This is a common area of confusion for learners.

3. The 'Chameleon' Nature: Be aware that så has other functions. If it means 'then' (sequence), it acts as an adverb and triggers inversion. If it means 'so that' (purpose), it acts as a subordinator and moves the adverb before the verb. At Level 2, focus on the 'result' meaning ('so/therefore').

Examples (4)

  1. Jeg var sulten, så jeg spiste et æble.

    I was hungry, so I ate an apple.

    Word by Word: I was hungry, so I ate an apple.

    A simple cause and result. Notice the word order: Subject (jeg) then Verb (spiste).

  2. Det regnede, så vi gik ikke en tur.

    It rained, so we didn't go for a walk.

    Word by Word: It rained, so we went not a walk.

    When using negation, 'ikke' follows the verb 'gik' in the result clause.

  3. Bussen kom for sent, så han kom for sent på arbejde.

    The bus was late, so he was late for work.

    Word by Word: The bus came too late, so he came too late at work.

    The result clause maintains standard V2 order after the conjunction 'så'.

  4. Jeg har ingen penge, så jeg køber ikke noget.

    I have no money, so I am not buying anything.

    Word by Word: I have no money, so I buy not something.

    Note that 'så' links two independent thoughts here.

Common Mistakes

  • Using subordinate clause word order (placing 'ikke' before the verb).

    Jeg var træt, så jeg ikke gik til festen.
    Jeg var træt, så jeg gik ikke til festen.

    When 'så' means 'so' (result), it uses main clause word order. The adverb 'ikke' must come after the verb.

  • Mixing up 'så tog jeg' (then I put on) and 'så jeg tog' (so I put on).

    Different MeaningDet var koldt, så tog jeg min jakke på.
    Det var koldt, så jeg tog min jakke på.

    Both are correct. In 'Det var koldt, så tog jeg min jakke på', 'så' means 'then' and the verb comes before the subject. In 'Det var koldt, så jeg tog min jakke på', 'så' means 'so' (result) and the subject comes first.

How It Connects

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såLevel 2So (Så)

Learn This First

To use 'så' as a resultative conjunction, you need to understand how to construct basic Danish sentences and how the V2 word order rule applies to main clauses, as 'så' does not trigger the subordinate clause word order used by words like 'fordi'.

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så