Min computer er funktionel.

to be

Breakdown of Min computer er funktionel.

• min: my
• computeren: the computer
• funktionel: functional

Questions & Answers about Min computer er funktionel.

What does the possessive adjective min mean here, and why is it used instead of mit?

In Danish, min means my. Danish possessive adjectives must agree with the grammatical gender of the noun. Since computer is a common gender noun (introduced with en), min is used. If the noun were neuter (introduced with et), you would use mit instead.

How does the word order of Min computer er funktionel compare with the English sentence My computer is functional?

Both sentences follow the same basic order: subject + verb + complement. In Danish, Min computer is the subject, er is the linking verb (equivalent to is), and funktionel is the adjective complement describing the state of the subject. This structure is very similar to English.

Does the adjective funktionel change form based on gender, number, or definiteness in Danish?

It can. In this sentence, funktionel is in its base (uninflected) form, which is used with an indefinite common gender noun. Danish adjectives may receive an -e ending when used with definite nouns, plural forms, or sometimes neuter nouns, so you’ll find different forms in other contexts.

What role does the verb er play in the sentence?

Er is the present tense form of the Danish verb at være, which means to be. It acts as the linking verb, connecting the subject Min computer with the adjective funktionel, thereby describing the state or quality of the computer.

Why doesn’t the sentence include an additional article before computer?

In Danish, when a possessive adjective like min is used, it serves as a determiner, so there’s no need for a separate indefinite article. The noun computer is understood to be en computer (a computer), with min specifying possession.

How would you pronounce funktionel, and are there any pronunciation differences compared to the English functional?

While pronunciation can vary with accent, funktionel is generally pronounced similar to the English functional; however, Danish vowel sounds and intonation tend to be a bit different. For example, the first syllable might sound slightly more rounded, and the ending is typically softer in Danish. Listening to native speakers or using a pronunciation tool can help clarify these subtle differences.