Breakdown of Slibningen er faktisk vigtigere end karaten.
være
to be
vigtig
important
faktisk
actually
end
than
Questions & Answers about Slibningen er faktisk vigtigere end karaten.
The word slibningen refers to "the cut" here. What is the root verb, and what else can it mean?
It comes from the verb at slibe, which means to grind, sharpen, or sand. When talking about gems or diamonds, slibningen specifically refers to the cut or polishing of the stone.
If I want to use this statement in an indirect question with hvorvidt (whether), how does the word order change?
Hvorvidt introduces a subordinate clause, which triggers a shift in word order. The adverb faktisk must move before the verb. So it becomes: Jeg spurgte, hvorvidt slibningen faktisk er vigtigere end karaten (I asked whether the cut is actually more important than the carat).
The adjective vigtig (important) becomes vigtigere here. Does Danish ever use mere (more) for comparisons instead of the -ere ending?
Yes, but typically only for long adjectives (three or more syllables) or those ending in -isk or -et. Because vigtig is short, it takes the standard -ere ending, whereas a longer word like interessant would become mere interessant.
How is the "g" in vigtigere pronounced?
The "g" in vigtig and its comparative form vigtigere is completely silent. You pronounce it almost as if it were spelled "viktier". This is a common pronunciation exception to keep in mind.