under
Under / During (Under)
Under is a versatile Danish preposition. It primarily means under/below (spatial), during (temporal), or less than (quantity).
How It Works
The preposition under is essential for Level 2 learners because it covers three distinct areas of communication:
1. Spatial (Location): It indicates that something is physically beneath something else.
Example: Hunden ligger under bordet (The dog is lying under the table).
2. Temporal (Time): It describes an action happening within the duration of an event. In this context, it translates to 'during'.
Example: Vi talte ikke under filmen (We didn't talk during the movie).
3. Quantity and Condition: It is used to express 'less than' with numbers, ages, or prices, and to describe being in a specific state.
Example: Det koster under 100 kroner (It costs under 100 kroner).
Grammar Note: under is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or a noun phrase. If you want to say 'during' followed by a full sentence (subject + verb), you must use the conjunction mens instead.
Examples (5)
- Katten gemmer sig under sengen.
The cat is hiding under the bed.
Word by Word: The cat hides itself under the bed.
A classic spatial use of 'under' indicating physical location.
- Han faldt i søvn under mødet.
He fell asleep during the meeting.
Word by Word: He fell in sleep during the meeting.
Here 'under' indicates a time period (the meeting).
- Børn under 12 år skal følges med en voksen.
Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Word by Word: Children under 12 years shall be followed with an adult.
Using 'under' to indicate a numerical limit (age).
- Vi spiste frokost under åben himmel.
We ate lunch under the open sky (outdoors).
Word by Word: We ate lunch under open sky.
A common idiomatic expression for eating outside.
- Patienten er under behandling.
The patient is under treatment.
Word by Word: The patient is under treatment.
Using 'under' to describe a state or condition.
Common Mistakes
Using 'under' as a conjunction before a clause.
Under jeg læste, ringede telefonen.Mens jeg læste, ringede telefonen.'Under' is a preposition and needs a noun. Use 'mens' (while) if you are following it with a subject and a verb.
Confusing 'under' (preposition) with 'nedenunder' (adverb).
Han bor under.Han bor nedenunder.'Under' requires an object (under what?). If you just want to say 'downstairs' or 'below' without naming the object, use 'nedenunder'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'under', a learner needs to be familiar with basic spatial prepositions and how to form the definite singular of nouns, as 'under' is most commonly used to describe a position relative to a specific object or a duration during a specific event.
- -en/-etDefinite Suffix (-en/-et)
The preposition 'under' is frequently used with nouns in the definite form to specify particular locations or events (e.g., 'under bordet', 'under krigen').
Level 2 - iIn
Understanding basic spatial prepositions like 'i' provides the conceptual foundation for learning more specific spatial and temporal prepositions like 'under'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- mensWhile (Mens)
'Mens' is the conjunction equivalent of 'under' (during), used before a full clause.
Level 2 - i løbet afDuring / in the Course of (I Løbet Af)
Also means 'during' or 'in the course of', often used for longer durations like 'during the night'.
Level 3 - påOn / at
The spatial opposite of 'under' when something is on top of a surface.
Level 1 - foran/bag/mellemIn Front of / Behind / Between
Other common spatial prepositions used to describe relative positions.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice under in Bubblegum
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