Word
Det dårlige omdømme er et stort problem.
Meaning
The bad reputation is a big problem.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Questions & Answers about Det dårlige omdømme er et stort problem.
Why is it Det dårlige omdømme instead of using the definite suffix on the noun, like Det dårlige omdømmet?
In Danish, you do not use double definiteness. When an adjective modifies a definite noun, the noun drops its definite suffix. Instead, you use the front article Det (for neuter nouns) or Den (for common gender nouns) and leave the noun in its basic form. So 'the reputation' is omdømmet, but 'the bad reputation' is det dårlige omdømme.
Why does dårlig end with an -e here?
The added -e is the definite adjective ending. Because the sentence specifies 'the' bad reputation using Det, the adjective must match that definite state. Almost all Danish adjectives take an -e when they follow the definite articles Den, Det, or De.
Why does stort end with a -t while dårlige ends with an -e? They are both describing neuter words!
This is a great reminder of indefinite versus definite rules. Problem is indefinite here (et stort problem), so its adjective receives the standard neuter -t ending. However, omdømme is definite in this sentence, and the definite -e ending on an adjective always overrides the gender-specific endings.
How does a word like omdømme translate to 'reputation'?