Larmen kan dæmpes, hvis vinduerne lukkes.

The noise can be reduced if the windows are closed.

Breakdown of Larmen kan dæmpes, hvis vinduerne lukkes.

• vinduet: the window
• hvis: if
• kunne: can
• larmen: the noise
• lukkes: to be closed

Questions & Answers about Larmen kan dæmpes, hvis vinduerne lukkes.

Why is dæmpes in the passive form rather than an active form like dæmper?

In Danish, adding -s often forms the passive voice. Larmen kan dæmpes means that the noise can be reduced—implying by someone or something—without explicitly saying who does it. Using dæmper would focus on an active agent who is doing the reducing, but in this sentence, the focus is on the possibility of reducing the noise in general.

Why do we use kan before dæmpes?

Kan here signifies possibility or ability. So kan dæmpes translates to can be reduced. It expresses that there is a potential action that could take place, rather than a certainty.

Is hvis the same as når in this sentence?

No, hvis is used to express a condition (if/when), with an element of uncertainty—if the windows are closed, then the noise can be reduced. Når typically indicates something habitual or certain—when something happens. Since it’s conditional here, hvis fits better.

Why do we say vinduerne lukkes instead of vi lukker vinduerne?

It’s another use of the passive form. Vinduerne lukkes focuses on what happens to the windows (they are being closed) rather than on who is closing them. In everyday Danish, passive constructions are quite common, especially when the agent is not the focus or is unknown.