Adjective Endings

Danish adjectives change form to match the noun they describe. There are three forms based on gender, number, and definiteness.

The three forms

Base form — with en-words (indefinite)

en stor bil — a big car

-t form — with et-words (indefinite)

et stort hus — a big house

-e form — plural or definite

store biler — big cars, den store bil — the big car

Examples

en-word
et-word
Plural/def.
English
en stor bil
et stort hus
store biler
big
en ny bog
et nyt bord
nye bøger
new
en rød stol
et rødt æble
røde stole
red
en god ven
et godt liv
gode venner
good
lightbulb

The -e rule is the most common

Whenever the noun is definite (den store bil) or plural (store biler), the adjective takes the -e ending. This covers most situations in everyday speech.

Try it yourself

Pick the correct adjective form for each sentence.

Exercises for this topic are coming soon.