Hvis vi skynder os, er der stadig en chance for at nå toget.

Questions & Answers about Hvis vi skynder os, er der stadig en chance for at nå toget.

Why does the sentence start with Hvis?

Hvis means if and introduces a condition.

So Hvis vi skynder os means If we hurry.

This is a very common pattern in Danish:

Hvis + clause, main clause

Example pattern:

  • Hvis det regner, bliver vi hjemme = If it rains, we stay home

So in your sentence, the first part sets up the condition, and the second part gives the result.

Why is it skynder os and not just skynder?

Because the Danish verb is at skynde sig, which is a reflexive verb. That means it normally needs a reflexive pronoun.

Here are the forms:

  • jeg skynder mig
  • du skynder dig
  • han/hun skynder sig
  • vi skynder os
  • I skynder jer
  • de skynder sig

So:

  • vi skynder os = we hurry

You cannot normally just say vi skynder with this meaning.

Why is the word order er der instead of der er?

This is because of the Danish V2 rule in main clauses: the finite verb usually comes in the second position.

The sentence begins with the if-clause:

Hvis vi skynder os, ...

Because that whole clause comes first, the main clause must begin with the finite verb:

  • er der stadig en chance ...

If the sentence started directly with the main clause, you would normally get:

  • Der er stadig en chance ...

So both are correct, but the word order changes depending on what comes first.

Compare:

  • Der er stadig en chance = There is still a chance
  • Hvis vi skynder os, er der stadig en chance = If we hurry, there is still a chance
What does der mean here? Is it the same as English there?

Yes, here der works like the existential there in English.

So:

  • Der er ... = There is ...
  • Der var ... = There was ...

In this sentence, der does not mean a physical place. It is not about location. It is just the word Danish uses in this kind of there is / there are structure.

So:

  • er der stadig en chance = there is still a chance
What does stadig mean, and why is it placed there?

Stadig means still.

So:

  • er der stadig en chance = there is still a chance

Its position is normal Danish word order. In a main clause, adverbs like stadig often come after the verb and subject-like element, and before the rest of the phrase.

Very roughly:

  • er = is
  • der = there
  • stadig = still
  • en chance = a chance

So the order matches natural Danish sentence structure.

Why does Danish use en chance for at ... here?

After a noun like chance, Danish often uses for at + infinitive to express a chance to do something or a chance of doing something.

So:

  • en chance for at nå toget

means:

  • a chance to catch the train
  • or more literally, a chance to reach the train in time

This is a very natural Danish structure.

Another example:

  • Jeg har en plan for at løse problemet = I have a plan to solve the problem

So for at here links chance to the action.

What is at doing here?

Here at is the infinitive marker, like English to.

So:

  • = catch / reach in time
  • at nå = to catch / to reach in time

In for at nå toget, the at is part of the infinitive structure.

A useful way to see it is:

  • for at nå = in order to catch / to catch

Even though English may translate the whole phrase more naturally as a chance of catching the train, Danish uses for at + infinitive.

What does nå toget mean exactly? Does it literally mean reach the train?

At nå often means to reach in time, to make it, or to catch in context.

So nå toget is most naturally understood as:

  • catch the train
  • make the train

It is not just physically reaching the train. The idea is reaching it before it leaves, so that you can get on it.

That is why English often translates nå toget as catch the train rather than just reach the train.

Why is it toget and not et tog?

Because toget is the definite form of tog.

  • et tog = a train
  • toget = the train

Danish usually adds the definite ending to the noun itself:

  • en bilbilen
  • et hushuset
  • et togtoget

Here toget means the train, probably a specific train that both speakers already know about from the situation.

Why is there a comma after os?

Because Hvis vi skynder os is a subordinate clause, and it is followed by the main clause.

So the sentence is divided like this:

  • Hvis vi skynder os,
  • er der stadig en chance for at nå toget.

The comma helps show the boundary between the two clauses.

This is very common in Danish when a subordinate clause comes first.

Why are the verbs in the present tense: skynder and er?

Danish often uses the present tense for real, immediate conditions and results.

So:

  • Hvis vi skynder os = If we hurry
  • er der stadig en chance = there is still a chance

This sounds completely natural in Danish. English often works similarly here.

The sentence is about a present situation with a possible immediate outcome, so present tense is the normal choice.

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