Breakdown of Elektriske biler kører uden benzin.
bilen
the car
køre
to drive / to ride (a bike) / to run (of a train or bus service)
uden
without
benzinen
the petrol
Questions & Answers about Elektriske biler kører uden benzin.
Why is there an -e at the end of elektriske?
Adjectives in Danish must agree with the noun they describe. Because biler (cars) is plural, the base adjective elektrisk takes the plural ending -e.
Why do we use kører here when the English translation says "run"?
In English, engines and machines "run". In Danish, you cannot use the verb for physically running on foot (at løbe) for vehicles. Instead, you use at køre, which means to drive. So literally, this sentence says electric cars "drive" without petrol.
Should I use the definite form bilerne to talk about electric cars in general?
No. Just like in English, Danish uses the indefinite plural to make general statements about an entire category. You use elektriske biler (electric cars) rather than the definite form when stating a universal fact.
Why doesn't benzin have an article before it?
Benzin (petrol or gasoline) is an uncountable noun here. It refers to a mass substance rather than individual countable items. Just like in English, you do not put an article in front of it in this context.