til
To
Use til when moving toward a destination, giving something to a recipient, or describing the purpose of an object.
How It Works
The preposition til is one of the most common words in Danish. Its usage can be broken down into these main categories:
- Direction: It marks movement toward a destination like a city or building. Once you arrive, you usually switch to i or på. However, for relative directions like til venstre (to the left), til is used for both motion and static position.
- Recipient & Purpose: It identifies who is receiving something (e.g., 'en gave til dig') or what something is for (e.g., 'nøglen til huset').
- Relationships: It describes family or professional roles, such as far til to (father of two).
- Addition: It can mean 'more' or 'another' when placed after a noun or quantity, as in en kop til (another cup).
- Time: It marks the end of a duration, meaning 'until' or 'by'.
- Fixed Phrases: Many common verbs require til, such as have lyst til (want to) or glæde sig til (look forward to).
Note: Some old idiomatic phrases like til fods (on foot) keep an archaic '-s' ending.
Examples (6)
- Jeg rejser til København.
I am traveling to Copenhagen.
Word by Word: I travel to Copenhagen.
Here, 'til' indicates the destination of the movement.
- Denne gave er til dig.
This gift is for you.
Word by Word: This gift is to you.
In this context, 'til' identifies the recipient of the gift.
- Jeg vil gerne have en øl til.
I would like another beer.
Word by Word: I will gladly have a beer more.
When used after a noun, 'til' can mean 'more' or 'another'.
- Jeg glæder mig til ferien.
I am looking forward to the vacation.
Word by Word: I gladden me to vacation-the.
Many verbs are paired with 'til' in fixed expressions, like 'at glæde sig til'.
- Han er far til tre børn.
He is the father of three children.
Word by Word: He is father to three children.
Danish uses 'til' to describe family relationships where English often uses 'of'.
- Bilen holder til højre.
The car is parked to the right.
Word by Word: Car-the holds to right.
Unlike destinations, relative directions like 'til højre' (to the right) use 'til' for both motion and position.
Common Mistakes
Using 'til' for a static location.
Jeg er til arbejde.Jeg er på arbejde.You use 'til' to go to work, but once you are there, you must use 'på' (on/at).
Using 'til' with verbs that don't need it.
Jeg besøger til min ven.Jeg besøger min ven.The verb 'besøge' (to visit) takes a direct object and does not require a preposition.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'til' effectively, you need to understand how to form basic sentences in the present tense and how to use object pronouns when 'til' indicates a recipient.
Related Patterns
- iIn
Used for location (inside) once you have arrived at a destination.
Level 1 - påOn / at
Used for location (on/at) once you have arrived at a destination.
Level 1 - fraFrom
The opposite of 'til', indicating the starting point or origin.
Level 1 - forFor (For)
Also translates to 'for', but used for doing something on someone's behalf rather than giving to a recipient.
Level 1 - hvorhen/hvorfraWhere to / Where from
Question words used to ask 'where to' (hvorhen) which often triggers a 'til' response.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- have lyst tilFeel Like (Have Lyst Til)Level 2
- kommer til atGoing to (Kommer Til at)Level 2
- Modal With A Direction WordLevel 2
- for ... til atToo ... to (For ... Til at)Level 3
- få lov til atBe Allowed to (Få Lov Til at)Level 3
- indtilUntil (Indtil)Level 3
- skal til atAbout to (Skal Til at)Level 3
- Fixed Verb-Preposition CombinationsLevel 3
And 5 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice til in Bubblegum
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