Questions & Answers about Du kan regne med mig.
Wait, doesn't regne usually mean "to rain" or "to calculate"?
It does! However, when you pair it with the preposition med (with), it forms the fixed expression regne med. This translates to "to count on" or "to rely on". It's similar to how we use "count" for math in English, but "count on" for trusting someone.
Why does this sentence use med (with) instead of på (on) for "count on"?
Prepositions rarely translate perfectly between languages. While English says you count on someone, the Danish logic is that you calculate with them (regne med). You just have to memorize this specific preposition combination!
Why is regne in the infinitive (dictionary) form here instead of the present tense regner?
Because it comes right after the modal verb kan (can). Just like in English, when you use a modal verb, the main verb that follows it must be in the infinitive form without the word at (to).
Can I use regne med to mean "expect" as well?
Yes, absolutely! Besides meaning "to count on" a person, regne med is very commonly used to mean "to expect" or "to plan on" something happening. For example, jeg regner med at komme means "I expect to come".