Når du skal afhente en pakke, skal du udfylde en formular hos posthuset.

When you need to pick up a package, you must fill out a form at the post office.

Breakdown of Når du skal afhente en pakke, skal du udfylde en formular hos posthuset.

• en: a
• når: when
• du: you
• afhente: to pick up
• pakken: the package
• udfylde: to fill out
• formularen: the form
• posthuset: the post office

Questions & Answers about Når du skal afhente en pakke, skal du udfylde en formular hos posthuset.

What is the structure of this sentence, and how is the comma used?

The sentence is divided into two parts: a subordinate clause and a main clause. The subordinate clause “Når du skal afhente en pakke” (When you are going to pick up a package) sets the condition, and the comma separates it from the main clause “skal du udfylde en formular hos posthuset” (you must fill out a form at the post office). This separation is typical in Danish when a dependent clause comes first.

How is the modal verb skal used in both parts of the sentence?

In Danish, skal is used to indicate obligation or necessity. In this sentence, it appears twice: first with afhente to imply that you are scheduled or expected to pick up a package, and then with udfylde to state that you must fill out a form. The repetition reinforces that both actions are required.

What does the verb afhente mean in this context?

The verb afhente translates to “to pick up” or “to collect.” In the context of this sentence, it refers to the action of retrieving a package.

What is the meaning of udfylde en formular?

Udfylde means “to fill out” or “complete,” and en formular means “a form.” Together, udfylde en formular instructs you to fill out a form, which is required when picking up a package.

What role does the preposition hos play in the phrase hos posthuset?

In Danish, hos is used to indicate a location or that something is associated with a place. In the phrase hos posthuset, it means “at the post office,” showing where the form must be filled out.

Why does the main clause begin with the modal verb skal instead of the subject du?

When a sentence begins with a subordinate clause in Danish, the main clause typically features inversion—placing the verb before the subject. That’s why the main clause is structured as "skal du udfylde ..." instead of "du skal udfylde ..." This inversion helps maintain clarity and proper sentence flow after the introductory clause.