Breakdown of Det er skam vigtigt for det gode naboskab.
være
to be
god
good
det
the (neuter, before adjective)
vigtig
important
Questions & Answers about Det er skam vigtigt for det gode naboskab.
How does skam change the tone of this sentence?
It adds a gentle but firm emphasis, translating to 'indeed' or 'certainly.' By using skam, the speaker is usually correcting an assumption, implying someone else might think it is not important, but they are emphasizing that it actually is.
Where does skam sit in the sentence structure here?
It acts as a central adverb. In a main clause, central adverbs like skam, ikke, or ofte must be placed immediately after the first conjugated verb, which is er in this sentence.
Why is the noun in det gode naboskab not in its definite form, such as det gode naboskabet?
Standard Danish does not use the double definite form. When an adjective like gode is present, you use the free-standing definite article det and keep the noun in its basic indefinite form naboskab.
Does naboskab refer to the physical neighborhood?
No, naboskab refers to the abstract relationship between neighbors, which translates to 'neighborliness.' If you wanted to talk about the physical streets or area, you would use a word like nabolag or kvarter.