Log inSign up

Jeg tjekker først adressen på kortet, før jeg kører til byen.

Jeg tjekker først adressen på kortet, før jeg kører til byen.
I first check the address on the map before I drive to the city.

Breakdown of Jeg tjekker først adressen på kortet, før jeg kører til byen.

jeg
I
på
on
til
to
før
before
byen
the city
tjekke
to check
adressen
the address
kortet
the map
køre
to drive
først
first
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Danish grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Danish now

Questions & Answers about Jeg tjekker først adressen på kortet, før jeg kører til byen.

Why is før used twice: først …, før …?

They’re two different words/functions that just look similar:

  • først = first (an adverb describing the order of actions)
  • før = before (a conjunction introducing a time clause)

So the structure is: I first check X, before I do Y.

Why is there a comma before før jeg kører til byen?

In Danish, you normally put a comma before a subordinate clause introduced by conjunctions like før, når, da, fordi, etc.
Here, før jeg kører til byen is a subordinate clause, so it’s separated by a comma:

  • Jeg tjekker først adressen på kortet, før jeg kører til byen.

(Some writing styles also allow a “no-comma” system, but many learners will meet the comma here in standard materials.)

Why doesn’t the word order change after før? Should it be like English inversion?

Danish does not do English-style inversion after before. After før, you get normal subordinate-clause word order.
Here it’s simple because there’s no extra adverb, but the key rule is: in subordinate clauses, sentence adverbs (like ikke) come before the verb.

Compare:

  • Main clause: Jeg kører ikke til byen.
  • Subordinate clause: … før jeg ikke kører til byen (meaning-wise odd, but shows the rule)

A more natural example:

  • … før jeg ikke har tid (again odd), or better with another conjunction:
  • … fordi jeg ikke har tid.
Could you drop the second jeg to avoid repeating it?

No—Danish generally requires an explicit subject in each clause.
So you normally say:

  • …, før jeg kører til byen.

You can avoid repetition by restructuring, but not by simply deleting the subject.

Why is it adressen and not en adresse?

adressen is the definite form: the address. Danish often prefers the definite when it’s a specific, known thing in the situation (the address you need for this trip).

  • en adresse = an address (unspecified/one of many)
  • adressen = the address (the specific one)
What does på kortet mean here—map or card? And why på?

kort can mean map or card, but in this context på kortet usually means on the map (checking the address by looking at a map).
på is used because you see the information “on” the surface/display:

  • på kortet = on the map
    Whereas i often means “inside/within” something (physical or conceptual), and isn’t the normal choice with kort in this meaning.
Is tjekker a real Danish word, or is it borrowed from English?

It’s common modern Danish, originally influenced by English check. It’s widely used in everyday speech and writing.
More formal/neutral alternatives include:

  • Jeg kontrollerer adressen … (more formal)
  • Jeg kigger på adressen … (more like “I look at the address …”)
Why is the verb tjekker in the present tense? Does Danish use present for “I’m going to …” as well?

Yes. Danish present tense often covers:

  • habitual actions (“I usually…”)
  • actions in progress (“I’m …” in context)
  • near future (“I’m going to …” when it’s planned/obvious)

So Jeg tjekker først… can naturally mean something like “I’ll check first…” depending on context.

Why is it kører til byen and not går til byen or tager til byen?

kører specifically implies traveling by vehicle (driving or riding).
Other options change the meaning:

  • går til byen = walk to town
  • tager til byen = go/head to town (neutral; doesn’t specify transport)
  • kører til byen = go to town by car/bus/etc. (often understood as driving)
What’s the difference between til byen and i byen?
  • til byen = movement to town (destination)
  • i byen = being/doing something in town (location)

So:

  • Jeg kører til byen = I drive to town.
  • Jeg kører i byen = I drive around/in town.
Why is it byen (definite) instead of en by?

byen means the town/city, often referring to the local town center or the town that’s understood in context (like “into town”). This is very common in Danish:

  • til byen ≈ “into town / to the city center”

til en by would mean “to a (some) town” and sounds more like you’re going to an unspecified town.

Can I replace før with inden?

Often, yes:

  • Jeg tjekker først adressen på kortet, inden jeg kører til byen.

inden is also “before,” and can sound slightly more formal/neutral in some contexts. Both are common and correct here.