Min ven er sen til mødet.

My friend is late for the meeting.

Breakdown of Min ven er sen til mødet.

• være: to be
• min: my
• til: for
• mødet: the meeting
• sen: late

Questions & Answers about Min ven er sen til mødet.

Why is the possessive form min used here instead of mit?

In Danish, the choice between min and mit depends on the gender of the noun being modified. Min is used with common gender nouns, while mit is used with neuter nouns. Since ven (meaning friend) is a common gender noun, min ven is the proper form.

What is the role of the word er in this sentence?

Er is the present tense form of the verb at være, which means to be. It functions as the linking verb that connects the subject (min ven) with the predicate adjective (sen), similar to how is works in English.

How is the adjective sen used in this sentence, and does it change form?

Sen is a predicate adjective describing the state of the subject (min ven), meaning late. In Danish, adjectives in the predicate position (following a linking verb like er) generally do not change to reflect gender or number, so sen remains in its base form regardless of the subject.

Why is mødet written with an ending, and how does Danish indicate the definite article?

In Danish, the definite form of a noun is typically formed by adding a suffix to the base noun instead of placing a separate word for the. Mødet is the definite form of møde (meeting), so it means the meeting. When referring to an indefinite meeting, you would say et møde.

What does the preposition til indicate in this sentence?

Til translates to to in English. It is used to show direction or relation, linking the state of being late with the meeting. In this sentence, it tells us that the friend is running late to the meeting.

Does the word order in this Danish sentence resemble English structure?

Yes, the sentence follows a similar structure to English: the subject (min ven) comes first, followed by the verb (er), and then the predicate (sen til mødet). This similarity can help English speakers understand and construct basic Danish sentences more easily.