Questions & Answers about Hun spiser et råt løg.
Why is the adjective spelled råt instead of just rå?
Løg is a neuter noun (et løg), so the adjective describing it must also take the neuter form. For adjectives that end in a stressed vowel like rå (raw), you simply add a -t to make the neuter form, resulting in råt.
Does adding the -t to a vowel-ending adjective like rå change its pronunciation?
Yes, it does. When you add a -t to a short adjective ending in a vowel, the vowel sound is usually shortened. The å in råt is pronounced much quicker and more abruptly than the long, drawn-out vowel in the base word rå.
How would the adjective change if she were eating multiple raw onions?
It wouldn't change from the base form! Normally, Danish adjectives add an -e in the plural form. However, adjectives ending in a stressed vowel like rå, blå (blue), or grå (gray) are exceptions and do not add the -e. So "raw onions" is simply rå løg.
Since Danish doesn't have an "-ing" verb form, how do we know if she "eats" as a habit or "is eating" right now?
You have to rely on context. The Danish present tense spiser covers both the simple present (eats) and the present continuous (is eating). Because she is interacting with a single specific onion (et råt løg) in this sentence, context strongly suggests she is doing it right now.
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