Breakdown of Du skal stige af her.
her
here
du
you
skulle
to have to / must / to be going to
stige af
to get off (a bus, a train)
Questions & Answers about Du skal stige af her.
Why is stige used here? Doesn't it normally mean 'to rise' or 'climb'?
Yes, on its own at stige usually means 'to rise' or 'to climb.' However, in Danish, it is combined with prepositions to talk about getting in and out of vehicles. At stige af means 'to get off' (a bus, train, or bike), and at stige på means 'to get on.'
Why does skal translate to 'must' here instead of 'will'?
The modal verb skal can be used for future intentions ('will' or 'am going to') or for obligations ('must' or 'have to'). In this context, it is giving a direct instruction or rule, so it translates best as an obligation: 'You must get off here.'
Why is the verb in the infinitive form (stige) instead of the present tense (stiger)?
Because it comes directly after the modal verb skal. In Danish, just like in English, modal verbs are followed by the infinitive (dictionary) form of the main verb without the word at (to). Therefore, it is Du skal stige, not Du skal stiger.
When speaking this sentence out loud, which word gets the emphasis in stige af?
In Danish, when a verb and a short preposition work together to create a new meaning (a phrasal verb), the stress almost always falls on the preposition. You should put the vocal emphasis on af, rather than on stige.
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