Da hun ringede, var jeg på stationen og ventede.

When she called, I was at the station and waiting.

Breakdown of Da hun ringede, var jeg på stationen og ventede.

• jeg: I
• og: and
• være: to be
• hun: she

Questions & Answers about Da hun ringede, var jeg på stationen og ventede.

Why is it da and not når?

Use da for a specific point or event in the past (one time or a bounded situation). Use når for habitual/repeated times or for the future.

• Past single event: Da hun ringede, var jeg på stationen. = When she called (that time) …
• Habitual/future: Når hun ringer, tager jeg den. = Whenever she calls / When she calls (in general), I pick up.

Why is the word order var jeg and not jeg var in the main clause?

Danish main clauses follow the V2 rule: the finite verb must be in second position. The entire subordinate clause Da hun ringede sits in the first position, so the finite verb of the main clause (var) comes next, before the subject (jeg):

• Correct: Da hun ringede, var jeg …
• Incorrect: Da hun ringede, jeg var …

Then why is it hun ringede (subject before verb) in the da-clause?

Because subordinate clauses in Danish do NOT use V2. In subordinate clauses, the basic order is Subject–(adverbs like ikke)–Verb:

• Da hun ringede …
• With negation: Da hun ikke ringede … (adverb before the finite verb in a subordinate clause)

Why is there a comma after ringede?