Lyset forsvinder hurtigt, når solen går ned i horisonten.

the sun

Breakdown of Lyset forsvinder hurtigt, når solen går ned i horisonten.

• når: when
• lyset: the light
• forsvinde: to disappear
• hurtigt: quickly
• gå ned: to set
• horisonten: the horizon

Questions & Answers about Lyset forsvinder hurtigt, når solen går ned i horisonten.

Why is there a comma before ‘når’?

In Danish, a comma is often placed before når (meaning when) because it introduces a subordinate clause. It’s a grammatical convention in Danish to separate the main clause (Lyset forsvinder hurtigt) from the subordinate clause (når solen går ned i horisonten).

What’s the difference between ‘når’ and ‘da’ in Danish?

Both når and da can be translated as when, but når is used for repeated or general actions and future references, whereas da refers to a single event in the past. In this sentence, we talk about a recurring event (the sun setting), so når is correct.

Why do we use ‘går ned’ for the sun setting, instead of something else?

Går ned literally means goes down and is a common idiomatic expression for sets in Danish when talking about the sun. It’s part of everyday language, just like saying the sun goes down in English. Other words could be used poetically, but går ned is the typical phrasing.

What does ‘i horisonten’ imply here?

I horisonten literally means in the horizon. It suggests that the sun is disappearing behind the line where the sky meets the earth (or sea). This is the usual Danish way to describe the sun setting at that visible boundary.

Is there any special pronunciation tip for ‘forsvinder’ and ‘hurtigt’?

For forsvinder (disappears), make sure to emphasize the second syllable slightly and soften the final r. For hurtigt (quickly), keep in mind the Danish r is often softer than in English, and the t at the end can sound gentler or be slightly muted, depending on regional accent.