Breakdown of Frihedskæmperen vil læse det illegale flyveblad, koste hvad det vil.
det
it (neuter)
læse
to read
hvad
what
ville
want to / will
koste
to cost
frihedskæmperen
the freedom fighter
illegal
illegal (loanword)
flyvebladet
the leaflet
Questions & Answers about Frihedskæmperen vil læse det illegale flyveblad, koste hvad det vil.
Why does koste hvad det vil use the form koste instead of the present tense koster?
In modern Danish, koste here is a fossilized subjunctive form. It survives in fixed expressions to express a hypothetical or inevitable situation, translating roughly to may it cost what it will. Because it is an old fixed phrase, it does not take the standard present tense -r ending.
Does vil in vil læse indicate the future tense, or does it mean wants to?
Both interpretations are possible, but in this high-stakes context, vil carries a strong sense of volition and determination. The freedom fighter does not just happen to be reading it in the future; they actively want to or are determined to read it, regardless of the consequences.
Why do we add an -e to illegal in the phrase det illegale flyveblad?
When you place an adjective before a definite noun in Danish, you must use a front article like det, and the adjective must take the definite -e ending. Notice that the noun itself, flyveblad, stays in its basic form rather than taking a definite suffix.
What is the function of the s in the middle of Frihedskæmperen?
The s is a binding letter used to glue two words together in a compound noun. Here, it connects frihed (freedom) and kæmper (fighter), before adding the definite suffix -en. This linking consonant makes the compound word flow better when spoken and is incredibly common in Danish.
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