Negating Modal Verbs
When you want to say that you cannot or will not do something, you use a modal verb paired with the negative word ikke (not).
In a standard statement, ikke is placed exactly between the modal verb and the main action verb. Remember that the main verb always remains in its bare infinitive form.
- Subject + Modal verb + ikke
- Infinitive verb
| I cannot drink the wine. | Jeg kan ikke drikke vinen. |
| She will not eat the meat. | Hun vil ikke spise kødet. |
Expressing Prohibition with "må ikke"
The modal verb må generally means "may," "to be allowed to," or "must." When you negate it to form må ikke, it translates strictly to "must not" or "not allowed to." It is very commonly used for rules, prohibitions, and giving strong warnings.
| You must not smoke here. | Du må ikke ryge her. |
| You must not park here. | I må ikke parkere her. |
| You must not disturb the doctor. | Du må ikke forstyrre lægen. |
Asking Negative Questions
To ask a negative question, such as "Will you not...?" or "Can she not...?", swap the subject and the modal verb, just as you do for regular questions. The word ikke comes directly after the subject, followed by the main verb.
- Modal verb + Subject + ikke
- Infinitive verb
| Will you not drink the wine? | Vil du ikke drikke vinen? |
| Can the girl not sing loudly? | Kan pigen ikke synge højt? |
