end
Than (End)
In Danish, end is the standard word for 'than'. It is used after a comparative adjective (like større or bedre) to introduce the second part of a comparison.
How It Works
The word end is essential for making comparisons of inequality. Here is how to use it correctly:
- With Comparative Forms: It follows the comparative degree of adjectives, adverbs, or quantifiers. For regular adjectives, this means adding -ere (e.g., hurtigere end - faster than). It also follows irregular comparatives like bedre (better) or flere (more).
- Long Adjectives: Adjectives with three or more syllables usually use mere + the base adjective (e.g., mere interessant end) rather than an ending.
- Emphasis with 'endnu': You can add endnu (even/still) before the comparative to emphasize the difference, such as endnu bedre end (even better than).
- Pronoun Case: In modern spoken Danish, it is standard to use object pronouns after end (e.g., større end mig). Using subject pronouns (større end jeg) sounds very formal.
- Clauses: End can also introduce a full sentence or a phrase starting with at. For example: Det er sværere end jeg troede (It is harder than I thought).
Examples (6)
- Kaffe er bedre end te.
Coffee is better than tea.
Word by Word: Coffee is better than tea.
Here, 'end' follows the irregular comparative 'bedre' (better).
- Min bror er højere end mig.
My brother is taller than me.
Word by Word: My brother is taller than me.
In casual Danish, the object pronoun 'mig' is used after 'end'.
- Denne film er mere spændende end den anden.
This movie is more exciting than the other one.
Word by Word: This movie is more exciting than the other.
For long adjectives like 'spændende', we use 'mere' instead of a suffix before 'end'.
- Det er endnu billigere at købe mad end at gå på restaurant.
It is even cheaper to buy food than to go to a restaurant.
Word by Word: It is even cheaper to buy food than to go on restaurant.
The word 'endnu' is used here to add emphasis to the comparison.
- Huset er smukkere, end vi huskede.
The house is more beautiful than we remembered.
Word by Word: House-the is more-beautiful, than we remembered.
'End' can introduce a whole clause (subject + verb) to compare a current state to a past one.
- Jeg har flere bøger end dig.
I have more books than you.
Word by Word: I have more books than you.
'End' is used here with the quantifier 'flere' (more), the comparative of 'mange'.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'end' with 'en'.
Han er større en mig.Han er større end mig.Because they sound the same in speech, many people accidentally write the article 'en' (a/an) instead of the comparison word 'end' (than).
Using 'end' for equality (as... as).
Han er lige så gammel end mig.Han er lige så gammel som mig.Use 'end' only for 'more/less than'. For 'as... as', you must use the pattern lige så ... som.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'end' (than) correctly, you first need to understand how to form comparative adjectives in Danish, as 'end' always follows a comparative form. Additionally, knowing object pronouns is essential because they are used when the object of the comparison is a person.
Related Patterns
- -ere/-estComparative and Superlative -ere/-est
'End' is used exclusively with the comparative degree, which for most adjectives is formed by adding the '-ere' suffix.
Level 2 - mere/mestMore / Most (Mere/mest)
For longer adjectives, 'end' follows the comparative form 'mere' (more).
Level 2 - lige så ... somAs ... as (Lige Så ... Som)
This is the counterpart to 'end'; use 'som' for equality (as... as) and 'end' for inequality (than).
Level 2 - Irregular Comparatives
'End' is used with irregular comparative forms like 'bedre' (better) and 'flere' (more).
Level 2 - hellere ... endRather ... than (Hellere)
A specific construction meaning 'rather... than' that uses 'end' to show preference.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice end in Bubblegum
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