Efter festen samler vi pant i køkkenet.

After the party, we collect deposit bottles in the kitchen.

Breakdown of Efter festen samler vi pant i køkkenet.

• i: in
• vi: we
• køkkenet: the kitchen
• efter: after

Questions & Answers about Efter festen samler vi pant i køkkenet.

Why is it festen and not fest?

Because festen is the definite form of fest: fest = party, festen = the party.

In Danish, definiteness is often added as an ending:

• en fest = a party
• festen = the party

So Efter festen means after the party, referring to a specific party.

Why is vi after samler instead of before it?

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

Here, Efter festen has been placed first:

• Efter festen | samler | vi pant i køkkenet.

So once Efter festen takes the first slot, the verb samler must come next, and the subject vi comes after that.

Compare:

• Vi samler pant i køkkenet efter festen.
• Efter festen samler vi pant i køkkenet.

Both are correct, but the word order changes because of the V2 rule.

What exactly does pant mean here?