hvornår
When
Hvornår is the Danish word for 'when' used exclusively in questions. It asks for a specific point in time.
How It Works
Hvornår is an interrogative adverb. Its primary job is to seek information about time.
1. Direct Questions
When starting a question with hvornår, Danish follows the V2 rule. This means the verb must be the second element in the sentence, coming immediately after hvornår.
Example: Hvornår spiser vi? (When do we eat?)
2. Indirect Questions
You also use hvornår when reporting a question or expressing uncertainty about a time. In these cases, the word order changes to subordinate word order (Subject + Verb).
Example: Jeg ved ikke, hvornår han kommer. (I don't know when he is coming.)
3. The 'When' Trap
English speakers often use hvornår in places where it doesn't belong. You cannot use it as a conjunction to link two events (e.g., 'I will call you when I arrive'). For those situations, you need når (for future/repeated events) or da (for single past events).
Examples (4)
- Hvornår kommer bussen?
When is the bus coming?
Word by Word: When comes bus-the?
A standard direct question using the V2 rule where the verb 'kommer' follows the question word.
- Hvornår har du fødselsdag?
When is your birthday?
Word by Word: When have you birthday?
Used to ask about a specific date or time.
- Jeg ved ikke, hvornår filmen starter.
I don't know when the movie starts.
Word by Word: I know not, when movie-the starts.
An indirect question. Notice that the subject 'filmen' comes before the verb 'starter'.
- Fra hvornår kan vi tjekke ind?
From when can we check in?
Word by Word: From when can we check in?
Hvornår can be used with prepositions like 'fra' (from) or 'til' (until).
Common Mistakes
Using hvornår as a conjunction instead of når.
Jeg ringer til dig, hvornår jeg er hjemme.Jeg ringer til dig, når jeg er hjemme.Hvornår is only for questions. If you are making a statement about a future event, use når.
Using English 'do-support' word order.
Hvornår gør du spise?Hvornår spiser du?Danish does not use a helping verb like 'do' to form questions. The main verb moves to the second position.
Incorrect word order in indirect questions.
Hun spurgte, hvornår kommer han.Hun spurgte, hvornår han kommer.In indirect questions (subordinate clauses), the subject must come before the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'hvornår' (when) correctly, you need to understand basic Danish word order in questions, how to conjugate verbs in the present tense, and be familiar with the general structure of 'hv-' question words.
Related Patterns
- Question Word Questions
Hvornår is part of the family of 'hv-' question words used to form open-ended questions.
Level 1 - nårWhen / Whenever (Når)
Når is the conjunction used for 'when' in statements regarding the future or habits, often confused with hvornår.
Level 2 - da (konjunktion)When (Single Past Event) (Da)
Da is the conjunction used for 'when' referring to a specific point in the past.
Level 2 - Verb-Second Word Order
The V2 rule dictates that the verb must follow hvornår in direct questions.
Level 2 - Indirect Questions
Hvornår is frequently used to start indirect questions, which require a different word order.
Level 2 - Telling Time
Hvornår is the primary way to ask for the time or specific schedules.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice hvornår in Bubblegum
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