Døren lukker kulden ude.

The door keeps the cold out.

Breakdown of Døren lukker kulden ude.

• lukke ude: to keep out
• kulden: the cold
• døren: the door

Questions & Answers about Døren lukker kulden ude.

Why does the sentence use "kulden" instead of "kulde"?

In Danish, kulden is the definite form of kulde (cold). When you use kulden, it emphasizes "the cold," making it a specific entity. This usage implies you’re talking about a particular cold—usually referring to the cold outside.

What does "lukker" mean in this context?

Lukker can literally mean "closes," but when you say "lukker noget ude," it can also mean "shuts something out" or "keeps something out." So "lukker kulden ude" is understood as "keeps the cold out."

Why does "ude" come at the end of the sentence?

In Danish, adverbs like ude often come after the direct object. The structure "lukker kulden ude" follows a common word order: subject (Døren), verb (lukker), object (kulden), then adverb/particle (ude). This word order keeps the sentence clear and flows naturally in Danish.

Is "ude" the same as "ud"?

Both relate to "out," but ude is typically an adverb meaning "outside," and ud can function as a preposition or a particle verb component. In expressions like lukker noget ude, the language convention is to use ude rather than ud.