synes/tror/mener

Think (Synes/tror/mener)

Level 2

Danish uses three different verbs for 'to think' depending on the source of the thought: personal taste (synes), belief/guessing (tror), or a reasoned stance (mener).

How It Works

In Danish, the English word 'think' is split into three distinct categories:

1. Synes (Subjective Opinion): Use this when you have direct experience with something and are expressing a personal taste or impression. It is like saying 'I find...' or 'In my opinion...'.
Example: Jeg synes, kagen smager godt. (I think/find the cake tastes good).

2. Tror (Belief/Guess): Use this for assumptions or predictions about facts that could be proven true or false. You haven't experienced the result yet, or you are guessing about a reality.
Example: Jeg tror, det regner i morgen. (I think/believe it will rain tomorrow).

3. Mener (Reasoned View): Use this for a considered stance, a professional opinion, or a point of view in a debate. It implies a firmer conviction than a gut feeling.
Example: Jeg mener, at skatten er for høj. (I think/hold the view that the tax is too high).

Grammar Note: Synes is a deponent verb, meaning it ends in -s in the present tense but is active. Its past tense is syntes. The other two follow standard present tense rules.

Examples (5)

  1. Jeg synes, filmen er kedelig.

    I think the movie is boring (based on my experience watching it).

    Word by Word: I think, the movie is boring.

    Use 'synes' because this is a subjective evaluation after watching the film.

  2. Jeg tror, filmen er kedelig.

    I think the movie is boring (I haven't seen it, but I'm guessing).

    Word by Word: I believe, the movie is boring.

    Use 'tror' because you are making a guess about a fact you haven't experienced yet.

  3. Hvad mener du om den nye lov?

    What do you think about the new law?

    Word by Word: What mean you about the new law?

    Use 'mener' because you are asking for a reasoned, political, or formal stance.

  4. Jeg synes om din nye bil.

    I like your new car.

    Word by Word: I think about your new car.

    When using 'synes' to mean 'to like', you must include the preposition om.

  5. Han tror, at han har ret.

    He thinks that he is right.

    Word by Word: He believes, that he has right.

    These verbs often introduce a clause starting with at (that).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'tænke' for opinions.

    Jeg tænker, at maden er god.
    Jeg synes, at maden er god.

    'Tænke' refers to the cognitive process of thinking (like 'I am thinking about a problem'). For opinions, use 'synes'.

  • Confusing 'synes' (present) with 'syntes' (past).

    Jeg syntes, det er sjovt.
    Jeg synes, det er sjovt.

    'Synes' is the present tense. 'Syntes' (with a 't') is the past tense. This is a very common spelling error even for natives.

  • Using 'synes' for future predictions.

    Jeg synes, det bliver solskin.
    Jeg tror, det bliver solskin.

    You cannot have a 'subjective taste' of the future. Predictions must use 'tror'.

How It Connects

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synes/tror/menerLevel 2Think (Synes/tror/mener)

Learn This First

To use 'synes', 'tror', and 'mener' correctly, you need to understand how to form the present tense and how to link these verbs to the thoughts that follow them, often using the conjunction 'at'. You also need basic subject pronouns to attribute these thoughts to a person.

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Words in This Pattern

synesmenetro