Breakdown of Hvad end der sker, holder vi kursen mod kysten.
vi
we
hvad
what
holde
to hold, to keep / to take (a break)
ske
to happen
Questions & Answers about Hvad end der sker, holder vi kursen mod kysten.
How does the phrase hvad end work here?
In Danish, combining a question word like hvad (what) with the word end creates a meaning similar to adding "-ever" in English. Here, hvad end means "whatever" or "no matter what." It introduces a condition that won't change the outcome of the main action.
Why do we need the word der in hvad end der sker? Could I just say hvad end sker?
You must include der. When a question word like hvad acts as the subject of a subordinate clause, Danish grammar requires the placeholder der right after it. Since "whatever" is the subject that is "happening," der is mandatory to connect it to the verb sker.
Why is the word order inverted to holder vi instead of vi holder?
This is the Danish V2 (verb-second) rule. The entire first clause (Hvad end der sker) takes up the first position in the main sentence structure. Because the main verb must come second, holder comes immediately after the comma, pushing the subject vi to the third position.
The preposition mod is used here for "towards." Doesn't it also mean "against"?
Yes, mod is a versatile preposition that can mean both "towards" and "against" depending on the context. With directional phrases like kursen (the course), it naturally translates to "towards." If you were talking about weather or a conflict, it would mean "against."