Bunken står ved siden af huset.

The pile stands next to the house.

Breakdown of Bunken står ved siden af huset.

• huset: the house
• af: of
• stå: to stand
• bunken: the pile
• ved: by

Questions & Answers about Bunken står ved siden af huset.

Why is Bunken used instead of en bunke?

Bunken is the definite form of the noun. In Danish, adding the suffix -en or -et to a noun makes it definite (similar to adding "the" in English). Therefore, bunken means "the pile," whereas en bunke simply means "a pile."

What is the function of ved siden af in this sentence?

Ved siden af is a Danish prepositional phrase that literally translates to "by the side of." It indicates a position or location relative to something else (in this case, the house).

Why do we say ved siden af huset and not ved siden af hus?

In Danish, when we refer to "the house" specifically, we need to use the definite form huset. If you just say "hus," it means "a house" in a general sense. The sentence Bunken står ved siden af huset clarifies that the pile is next to "the house," not "a house."

How do I pronounce the "d" in ved and af in Danish?

The "d" after a vowel in Danish can often sound quite soft or be partially silent. In ved, you might hear a softer "d," almost like "ve" (with the tongue touching just behind the teeth). In af, the "d" is not present, so you simply pronounce it like "a" (with a short vowel sound). This can take practice to master, but listening to native speakers and repeating can help.

Does ved siden af always come together as one phrase, or can it be separated?

Ved siden af is treated as one fixed prepositional phrase meaning "next to" or "beside." You generally won’t separate it into parts in normal usage. We usually keep it together to indicate location: Ved siden af + a noun.