Situating Buildings with "Ligger"
When describing where buildings and landmarks are located in a town, Danish typically uses the verb ligger (lies / is situated) rather than the simple verb "to be" (er).
To give precise locations, you will use prepositions like ved siden af (next to) and mellem (between). Notice how places usually take their definite suffix (like -et in apoteket or -en in boghandlen).
| The pharmacy is next to the bookstore. | Apoteket ligger ved siden af boghandlen. |
| The bookstore is between the pharmacy and the city hall. | Boghandlen ligger mellem apoteket og rådhuset. |
Opposite and Behind
To ask for directions, use Hvor ligger...? (Where is...?).
When pointing out a location, you will often use over for (opposite / across from) and bagved (behind). Note that while overfor can be written as one word when standing alone, it is split into two words (over for) when a noun immediately follows it.
| Where is the post office? | Hvor ligger posthuset? |
| The post office is opposite the city hall. | Posthuset ligger over for rådhuset. |
| The parking lot is behind the post office. | Parkeringspladsen ligger bagved posthuset. |
Corners and Fronts
To describe exactly where people or places are, use foran (in front of) and the phrase på hjørnet (on the corner).
| They meet each other on the corner in front of the cinema. | De møder hinanden på hjørnet foran biografen. |
| The café is on the corner opposite the station. | Caféen ligger på hjørnet over for stationen. |
| The boy is playing in front of the pharmacy. | Drengen leger foran apoteket. |
