Spatial adverbs of source (-fra)

Spatial Adverbs of Source with "-fra"

To indicate the direction or location from which an action originates, Danish attaches the suffix -fra to spatial adverbs. This acts like "from" in English, combining location and direction into a single word.

From Below and Above

When describing perspectives or actions at different heights—like looking at a skyscraper or operating a crane—use nedefra (from below) and oppefra (from above).

The window cleaner controls the lift from below.
Vinduespudseren styrer liften nedefra.
The crane lifts the equipment from above.
Kranen løfter udstyret oppefra.
It is easier to clean the pane from above than from below.
Det er nemmere at pudse ruden oppefra end nedefra.

From Inside and Outside

For boundaries like windows and walls, add -fra to the adverbs for inside (inde) and outside (ude) to get indefra (from the inside) and udefra (from the outside).

We clean the pane from the outside, and they clean it from the inside.
Vi pudser ruden udefra, og de pudser den indefra.
The skyscraper looks impressive from the outside.
Skyskraberen ser imponerende ud udefra.

From Home

This pattern also applies to everyday locations. By adding -fra to hjemme (at home), you get hjemmefra, meaning "from home."

The window cleaner brought his own coffee from home.
Vinduespudseren tog sin egen kaffe med hjemmefra.
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