Månen lyser op på himlen.

The moon lights up the sky.

Breakdown of Månen lyser op på himlen.

• på: on
• månen: the moon
• lyse op: to light up
• himlen: the sky

Questions & Answers about Månen lyser op på himlen.

Why is the noun Månen in the definite form here?

In Danish, if we’re talking about a specific entity that both the speaker and listener recognize (like the moon), we use the definite form. So Månen indicates it’s the moon everyone knows, rather than a moon in general.

Is lyser op treated as one phrase or two separate words?

Lyser op functions somewhat like a phrasal verb in Danish. You can think of it as a multi-word verb meaning to shine up or illuminate. However, in writing, it remains two words, but conceptually it works together to convey the action.

Could we say Månen skinner instead of Månen lyser op?

While skinner also means shines, lyser op emphasizes the idea that the moon is illuminating or lighting up something. It paints a slightly different picture, focusing on the effect of the moon’s light on the surroundings, rather than just stating that the moon shines.

Why do we say på himlen instead of i himlen?

In Danish, på is used for surfaces or broad areas, and i is typically used for enclosed spaces or when you’re inside something. Since we perceive the sky as an expanse above us, the idiomatic way to say it is på himlen (literally on the sky), although in English we would say “in the sky.”

Do we ever change the word order to emphasize something else?

Yes, Danish allows fronting or moving elements for emphasis. You could say På himlen lyser månen op to emphasize the sky, but in everyday usage, Månen lyser op på himlen is the more straightforward word order.