Han rykker spillebrikken uden at kaste terningen; det tæller ikke.

it

Breakdown of Han rykker spillebrikken uden at kaste terningen; det tæller ikke.

• han: he
• ikke: not
• tælle: to count

Questions & Answers about Han rykker spillebrikken uden at kaste terningen; det tæller ikke.

Why is rykker used here, and what form is it?

Rykker is the present tense form of at rykke.

In this sentence, han rykker spillebrikken means something like he moves the game piece or he advances the token.

A useful point for English speakers:

• Danish present tense often ends in -r
• so:
  • at rykke = to move
  • rykker = moves / is moving

Depending on context, rykke can mean different kinds of movement, but here it clearly means moving a piece in a game.

Why is it spillebrikken and not just spillebrik?

Because spillebrikken is the definite form: the game piece.

Danish usually adds the definite article to the end of the noun:

• en spillebrik = a game piece
• spillebrikken = the game piece

So instead of using a separate word like English the, Danish often attaches it as an ending.

What exactly is spillebrikken made of?

Spillebrikken is a compound noun:

• spille- = game / playing
• brik = piece, token, counter, tile

So spillebrik means a game piece, token, or playing piece. In board-game contexts, this is a very natural word.

Why is it ?