Måltidet bestod af brød og vand.

The meal consisted of bread and water.

Breakdown of Måltidet bestod af brød og vand.

• og: and
• vandet: the water
• af: of
• måltidet: the meal
• bestå: to consist
• brødet: the bread

Questions & Answers about Måltidet bestod af brød og vand.

Why is måltidet used instead of måltid in this sentence?

In Danish, the definite form of nouns is typically created by adding an ending, as in måltid (meal) becoming måltidet (the meal). So måltidet is the definite form, emphasizing that we are talking about a specific meal.

How is the verb bestod af typically used, and does it directly translate to 'consisted of'?

Yes, it closely matches 'consisted of' in English. When you want to say something is made up of or is composed of certain elements, you use består af in its present tense or bestod af in the past tense.

Why do we say brød og vand without any definite or indefinite article?

In Danish, uncountable or mass nouns like brød (bread) and vand (water) often appear without an article, especially when speaking about them in a general sense. It’s similar to how English says "bread and water" rather than "the bread and the water" in certain contexts.

Is there any specific rule for the word order here—Måltidet bestod af brød og vand—and could I say Måltidet af brød og vand bestod instead?

Danish word order generally places the subject first, followed by the verb and then the objects or phrases that complete the meaning. While Danish can allow some flexibility, saying Måltidet af brød og vand bestod would sound unnatural. Sticking to subject + verb + other elements is recommended for clarity.

Can bestod af be exchanged with another verb for a similar meaning?

You could use inkluderede (included), but it slightly changes the emphasis. Bestod af highlights the complete composition, while inkluderede might suggest additional elements could be present beyond those mentioned.