Adjectives of Absence
When you want to describe a product or concept by what it lacks, Danish uses two common suffixes added to the end of nouns: -løs and -fri. These function very much like the English suffixes "-less" and "-free".
The Suffix "-løs"
The suffix -løs indicates that something is missing or absent. Often, this carries a negative tone (like being "tasteless" or "meaningless"). However, in modern technology, it is simply a neutral description of how a product works.
Like regular Danish adjectives, words ending in -løs must agree with the noun they describe. You will add a -t when describing a neuter noun (et-word).
The Suffix "-fri"
The suffix -fri corresponds to the English "-free". It indicates a positive exclusion—meaning that something unwanted, harmful, or annoying has been removed. You will see this suffix frequently in advertising for modern consumer products, diets, and appliances.
Comparing the Nuances
It is common to see both suffixes used together in the same sentence to contrast a positive exclusion with a negative lack. For example, a diet product might be beneficially free of an ingredient (-fri), but unfortunately lacking in flavor (-løs).
You can also use both types of adjectives to describe the different features of a single everyday experience, such as technology that lacks wires but also avoids problems: