Learn Hardcore Danish: Selvom jeg stadig er lidt forkølet, hjælper medicinen med at holde feberen nede. - Even though I am still a bit under the weather, the medicine helps keep the fever down.

The comma separates the subordinate clause "Selvom jeg stadig er lidt forkølet" from the main clause "hjælper medicinen med at holde feberen nede." This punctuation clarifies the structure, much like how commas are used in English to divide dependent and independent parts of a sentence.

What does forkølet mean, and how is it used here?

Forkølet means “having a cold.” It’s an adjective describing the speaker’s state, indicating that they are experiencing symptoms of a cold even though they are benefiting from the medicine.

What is the role of stadig in this sentence?

Stadig means “still.” It emphasizes that the condition of being a bit cold persists into the moment being described, despite the medicine’s effect on the fever.

How is the phrase med at holde feberen nede structured, and what does it mean?

The phrase translates to “to keep the fever down.” It is structured with med (“with” or a marker for the method), followed by the infinitive at holde (“to keep”), then feberen (“the fever”), and nede (“down”). Together, they describe the action of maintaining a lowered fever.

Why does the sentence begin with a subordinate clause?

Starting with the subordinate clause "Selvom jeg stadig er lidt forkølet" allows the speaker to present a contrasting context. It highlights that despite still being a bit cold, there is a positive outcome—namely, that the medicine is effective in keeping the fever down. This structure emphasizes the contrast between the ongoing condition and the beneficial effect of the medicine.