Jeg vasker vinduet for at holde det rent.

I wash the window to keep it clean.

Breakdown of Jeg vasker vinduet for at holde det rent.

• jeg: I
• ren: clean
• vinduet: the window
• vaske: to wash
• for at: to
• det: it

Questions & Answers about Jeg vasker vinduet for at holde det rent.

Why is vinduet used here instead of vindue?

In Danish, vindue is the indefinite singular form (meaning "a window"), while vinduet is the definite singular form (meaning "the window"). Whenever you refer to a specific window, you use the definite form vinduet.

What does for at convey in this sentence?

For at is used to indicate purpose or intention. It’s like saying “in order to” in English. So it connects the action (vasker) with the goal (holde det rent).

Why is the object pronoun det used to refer back to the window?

Although vindue is an et-word, once it becomes vinduet, the pronoun that refers back to it remains det. In Danish, et-words take det as their default pronoun, so “the window” (vinduet) is referred to as det.

Is rent functioning as an adjective or an adverb here?

It’s functioning as an adjective describing det ("it” — the window). The word rent means “clean.” Even though you see a 't' at the end, that’s the neuter singular form in Danish, agreeing with et vindue.

Can I use another verb instead of vasker here?

Yes, you could use verbs like tørrer (wipes) or pudser (polishes), among others. However, vasker implies a more thorough cleaning with water, which fits naturally if the goal is to keep the window clean.