Fødselsdagsgaven ligger på bordet.

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Breakdown of Fødselsdagsgaven ligger på bordet.

• bordet: the table
• ligge: to lie
• fødselsdagsgaven: the birthday gift

Questions & Answers about Fødselsdagsgaven ligger på bordet.

Why does the sentence use ligger instead of er?

In Danish, verbs like ligger (lies), står (stands), or sidder (sits) often replace a simple “is” when describing the position or placement of an object. Fødselsdagsgaven ligger på bordet implies the present is physically lying or resting on the table. This is more specific than just saying it is there.

How can I tell that Fødselsdagsgaven means “the birthday present” and not “a birthday present”?

Danish typically adds the definite article as a suffix rather than a separate word. Gave is “present,” and with -n or -en attached, it becomes gaven (“the present”). Likewise, fødselsdag means “birthday,” forming the compound fødselsdagsgave. Add -n at the end, and you get the definite form fødselsdagsgaven (“the birthday present”).

What exactly does på usually mean in Danish, and why is it used here to say “on the table”?

På is a versatile preposition in Danish and can mean “on,” “in,” or even “at,” depending on context. In this sentence, it indicates that the gift is resting on top of the table's surface.

Is the word order here flexible, or does Danish have a fixed pattern that requires Fødselsdagsgaven at the start?

Danish has relatively strict word order, especially in main clauses, often subject–verb–adverb–object. Here, Fødselsdagsgaven is the subject, ligger is the verb, and på bordet is a prepositional phrase describing location. Placing the subject first is the most common pattern and sounds natural.

How is Fødselsdagsgaven typically pronounced, and should I emphasize each part of the compound separately?

Danish compounds are usually pronounced as one continuous word but with a slight stress on the first part of the compound. So you might slightly emphasize Fød- in Fødselsdagsgave, then end on a relaxed -gave. The definite ending -n is lightly pronounced, almost blending with the last syllable.