Vi griller, selv når det regner.

It can mean both, depending on context.

In Danish, the present tense often covers:

• general habits: We grill
• something happening now: We are grilling

So Vi griller, selv når det regner most naturally means We grill, even when it rains or We still grill when it rains. It sounds like a general statement about habit or attitude.

Because Danish does not form the present continuous the way English does.

English often uses:

• we grill
• we are grilling

Danish usually just uses the simple present:

• vi griller

If Danish speakers need to make it extra clear that something is happening right now, they may add other words, but very often the plain present tense is enough.

Selv når means even when.

In this sentence:

• selv = even
• når = when

So:

• Vi griller, selv når det regner = We grill, even when it rains

It adds the idea that the action continues despite a condition that might normally stop it.

This is a very common learner question.

• når usually means when
• hvis usually means if

In Danish, når is used for things that happen repeatedly or are expected as real situations:

• Selv når det regner = Even when it rains

That suggests rain is a real, recurring situation.

Hvis would sound more like a possibility:

• selv hvis det regner = even if it rains

That version is also possible, but it has a slightly different feel.

• selv når det regner = this happens whenever rain occurs
• selv hvis det regner = this would still be true in the event of rain

In Danish, weather expressions often use det as a dummy subject, just like English uses it:

• det regner = it rains / it is raining
• det sner = it snows
• det blæser = it’s windy

The det does not refer to a real thing. It is just there because the sentence needs a subject.

Because selv når det regner is a subordinate clause, and Danish word order changes in subordinate clauses.

In a main clause, Danish often follows the verb-second pattern:

• Nu regner det = Now it’s raining

But in a subordinate clause introduced by words like når, the subject usually comes before the verb:

• når det regner

So:

• selv når det regner is the normal order

The comma marks off the subordinate clause.

However, this is a useful thing to know: in Danish, comma use before subordinate clauses depends on the comma system being used.

So you may see both:

• Vi griller, selv når det regner.
• Vi griller selv når det regner.

The version with the comma is very common and fully understandable. If you encounter both styles, that is normal.

Yes, absolutely.

That version means the same thing, but it puts more emphasis on even when it rains:

• Selv når det regner, griller vi.

Notice what happens in the main clause after the fronted phrase:

• griller vi
  not
• vi griller

That is because Danish main clauses usually keep the finite verb in second position.

No, Danish verbs do not change form for person or number in the present tense.

So:

• jeg griller = I grill
• du griller = you grill
• vi griller = we grill
• de griller = they grill

The verb form griller stays the same.

A rough guide is something like GRI-luh in standard Danish, but the exact pronunciation can be tricky for English speakers.

A few tips:

• gr at the start is pronounced together, similar to English gr
• the i is a short vowel
• the final -er in Danish is often reduced, not pronounced like a strong English er

Also, the r in Danish is not usually like a strong American English r.

If you are learning pronunciation, it is best to listen to native audio, because Danish spelling and pronunciation do not always match in an obvious way.

Most likely it describes a general habit or characteristic behavior:

• We grill, even when it rains

It sounds like:

• we are the kind of people who grill regardless of weather
• this happens regularly

If the speaker meant something happening right now, context would usually make that clear. On its own, the sentence feels more general than immediate.