{"id":1821,"date":"2019-06-29T15:22:57","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T15:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/danish\/?p=1821"},"modified":"2019-06-29T15:22:57","modified_gmt":"2019-06-29T15:22:57","slug":"3-ways-to-think-in-danish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/danish\/2019\/06\/29\/3-ways-to-think-in-danish\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Ways To Think in Danish"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Free image from Pixabay; no copyright<\/a>.)<\/p><\/div>\n

As a Danish-learner recently pointed out to me, \u201dto think\u201d<\/em> is tricky in Danish \u2013 especially if English is your first language. Look in a dictionary, and you\u2019ll find at least three different translations: at t\u00e6nke, at tro, at synes<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The thing is, even in English \u201dto think\u201d is a wide concept with many shades of meaning. The \u201dthinks\u201d in I think it is going to rain<\/em> and I think you\u2019re cute<\/em> are not entirely the same. The first one expresses your belief\/assumption (I believe\/assume it is going to rain<\/em>), while the second example is all about your opinion (or feelings). \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

In Danish, at tro <\/strong>is used for believing, and at synes<\/strong> for opinions: Jeg tror det kommer til at regne <\/strong>vs. Jeg synes du er s\u00f8d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Further examples:<\/p>\n

Hvad synes du om min ny frisure?<\/strong> (What do you think about my new haircut? [asking for an opinion])<\/p>\n

Jeg synes billetterne til koncerten er alt for dyre.<\/strong> (I think the concert tickets are way too expensive. [voicing an opinion])<\/p>\n

Tror du p\u00e5 Gud? <\/strong>(Do you believe in God? [asking about a belief])<\/p>\n

De tror det bliver bedre i morgen.<\/strong> (They think it will get better tomorrow. [stating a belief])<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another trick \u2013 if a think<\/em> phrase can be rewritten as a find<\/em> phrase, use synes:<\/strong> I think the house is ugly > I find the house ugly = <\/em>Jeg synes huset er grimt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

If, on the other hand, a believe<\/em> phrase makes more sense, go for tro<\/strong>: He thinks the bottle is empty > He believes the bottle is empty = <\/em>Han tror flasken er tom<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As you can see, there\u2019s actually quite a difference between Hun tror han er sk\u00f8r<\/strong> (She thinks\/believes he\u2019s crazy) and Hun synes han er sk\u00f8r <\/strong>(She finds him crazy)! Which is why Danes will smile ever so lightly when you mess up these two words\u2026 But don\u2019t worry, we will understand you anyway. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

What about at t\u00e6nke<\/strong>? As a rule, that\u2019s the neutral word for thinking \u2013 as opposed to opining (synes<\/strong>) or believing (tro<\/strong>):<\/p>\n