Questions & Answers about Jeg hilser på min nabo om morgenen.
Why is it hilser på and not just hilser?
In Danish, at hilse på nogen means to greet someone or to say hello to someone.
So in this sentence:
- Jeg hilser på min nabo = I greet my neighbor
The preposition på is part of the expression here.
Without på, hilse can be used differently, for example in meanings like send regards:
- Hils din mor = Say hello to your mother from me
So for directly greeting a person you meet, hilse på is very common.
What does på mean here? Does it literally mean on?
Not really. Although på often means on, in hilse på it is just part of the fixed verb expression.
So you should learn:
- at hilse på nogen = to greet someone
It is better not to translate på word-for-word in this sentence.
Why is it min nabo and not min naboen?