Maden står på bordet ved vinduet.

on

Breakdown of Maden står på bordet ved vinduet.

• bordet: the table
• vinduet: the window
• maden: the food
• ved: by

Questions & Answers about Maden står på bordet ved vinduet.

Why is Maden used here instead of Mad?

Maden is the definite form of the noun “mad” (meaning “food”) in Danish. Adding -en at the end of the noun means “the food” rather than just “food,” so it specifies that we’re talking about particular food, not food in general.

Why do we use står to describe the food’s location?

In Danish, står can be used for objects placed upright or for objects resting on a surface, especially if they are in a set or stable position. Maden står på bordet suggests the food is placed on the table in an upright or arranged manner (like a plate of food). In English, you might say “the food is on the table,” but in Danish, står is the common verb for something located on a surface.

Why is it på bordet and not another preposition?

The preposition på is typically used in Danish to indicate something is on top of a surface. Maden står på bordet means “The food is on the table.” Other options like i (“in”) or ved (“by”) wouldn’t make sense for something sitting on the table’s surface.

What does ved vinduet mean in this sentence?

The phrase ved vinduet means “by the window” or “near the window.” In Danish, ved here indicates closeness or adjacency. So the full sentence Maden står på bordet ved vinduet tells us the food is on the table located by or close to the window.