Learn Hardcore Danish: Glæden er stor, når hunden ser mig. - The joy is great when the dog sees me.

In Danish, nouns typically add a definite article at the end of the word instead of placing the article in front (as in English). Glæde is the base form meaning joy, and glæden is the definite form, meaning the joy.

Why is the verb er used right after Glæden?

In Danish, er is simply the present tense form of to be (at være). When you make a statement like The joy is great, you need the linking verb er to connect the subject (Glæden) with the adjective describing it (stor).

What does stor agree with in the sentence?

Stor is an adjective describing the noun glæden. Adjectives in Danish can appear in a slightly different form depending on the gender, number, and definiteness of the noun, but in this case, stor remains unchanged because it is in its singular, common-gender form and follows a linking verb (making it a predicative adjective).

Why do we use når instead of da for when?

In Danish, når is used for repeated or general events in the present or future. Da is used for single events in the past. Since this sentence talks about something that happens regularly whenever the dog sees you, når is the right choice.

Why do we use mig instead of jeg in the sentence?

Jeg means I and is used for subjects. Mig means me and is used for objects. In the sentence, the dog is the one doing the seeing (subject), and me is the object of that action, so the object form mig is required.