Jeg skal huske paraplyen.

I must remember the umbrella.

Breakdown of Jeg skal huske paraplyen.

• jeg: I
• huske: to remember
• paraplyen: the umbrella

Questions & Answers about Jeg skal huske paraplyen.

How do I pronounce Jeg skal huske paraplyen in Danish?

• Jeg is pronounced somewhat like "yai" (but with a short, softer 'y' sound).
• skal sounds like "skahl" (the 'a' is short).
• huske is pronounced "HOOS-kuh" (with the 'u' as in "book").
• paraplyen is "PAH-rah-PLY-uhn" (where the 'r' is rolled a bit and the final 'en' is quite soft).

Why is it paraplyen and not just paraply?

In Danish, nouns typically add -en or -et to become the definite form (like the in English). Paraply means umbrella in general, but paraplyen specifically means the umbrella.

What does skal usually mean, and why is it used here?

Skal can translate roughly as shall, must, or have to. Here, it indicates a sense of obligation or necessity: I have to remember the umbrella.

Is the structure Jeg skal huske [something] common in Danish?

Yes. It's a common way to express that you must or need to remember something. Another example could be Jeg skal huske at købe mælk (I must remember to buy milk).

Does huske strictly mean "to remember," or can it also mean "not to forget"?

Huske literally means to remember, but in practice, it also implies not forgetting to do something. So the nuance is quite similar to the English phrases "remember to bring" and "don't forget to bring."