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anstrengende

B1 adjective 10 Min. Lesezeit

anstrengende

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Erklärung anstrengende in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'anstrengende' is a bit advanced, but you can understand it as a way to say something is 'very hard' or 'tiring.' Imagine you are climbing a lot of stairs. You might say 'Det er hårdt.' 'Anstrengende' is just a more specific way to say that. You don't need to worry about the grammar because the word never changes. Whether you are talking about one thing or many things, it is always 'anstrengende.' You can use it to talk about sports, a long walk, or a busy day. It's a useful word to know when you want to tell someone why you are tired. Just remember: 'Det er anstrengende' (It is tiring/strenuous).

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For A2 learners, 'anstrengende' becomes a useful tool for describing your daily life and routines. You can start using it to qualify tasks. For example, instead of just saying 'Arbejdet er svært' (The work is difficult), you can say 'Arbejdet er anstrengende' to show that it makes you feel exhausted. At this level, you should notice that it's an adjective that often follows 'er' (is) or 'var' (was). It’s also good to learn it in contrast with 'afslappende' (relaxing). If your weekend wasn't relaxing because you had to clean the whole house, you can say 'Min weekend var ikke afslappende, den var anstrengende.'

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'anstrengende' to describe not just physical tasks, but also mental and social situations. This is where the word really shines. You might describe a person who talks too much as 'anstrengende,' or a complex legal document as 'anstrengende at læse.' You should also begin to distinguish it from 'hård' (hard) and 'svært' (difficult). 'Anstrengende' specifically implies the expenditure of energy. You can also start using adverbs to modify it, such as 'fysisk anstrengende' (physically strenuous) or 'psykisk anstrengende' (mentally strenuous), which are very common in professional Danish contexts.

By B2, you should have a firm grasp of the nuance between 'anstrengende' and 'anstrengt.' Remember that 'anstrengende' is the cause (a strenuous task) and 'anstrengt' is the result or the state (a strained relationship or a forced smile). You can use 'anstrengende' in more formal writing to describe social phenomena or economic processes. For instance, 'Den anstrengende økonomiske situation' (The strenuous economic situation). You should also be comfortable using it in the 'Det er anstrengende at...' construction with more complex infinitives, such as 'Det er anstrengende at skulle navigere i et komplekst bureaukrati.'

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At the C1 level, you can use 'anstrengende' to express subtle social cues and academic arguments. You might use it to critique a piece of art or literature that requires too much effort from the audience ('Værket er noget anstrengende i sin form'). You will also recognize it in idiomatic expressions and more literary contexts. At this level, you should be able to use synonyms like 'møjsommelig' or 'kraftanstrengende' to vary your vocabulary. You understand that calling a person 'anstrengende' is a significant social judgment in Denmark, implying they lack the social 'smoothness' that is often valued in Danish culture.

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For C2 speakers, 'anstrengende' is a tool for precise stylistic choices. You can use it to describe existential or philosophical burdens. You might discuss the 'anstrengende nødvendighed' (strenuous necessity) of a certain political action. You are fully aware of the word's history as a participle and can use the verb 'at anstrenge sig' (to exert oneself) in all its forms alongside the adjective. You can use 'anstrengende' to describe abstract concepts like 'en anstrengende tavshed' (a strained/strenuous silence) or 'en anstrengende søgen efter sandhed.' Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, catching all the subtle emotional weight the word carries.

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Means strenuous, exhausting, or demanding.
Used for physical, mental, and social contexts.
It is indeclinable (stays the same regardless of noun gender).
Describes the cause of tiredness, not the feeling of being tired.

The Danish word anstrengende is a versatile adjective that translates most directly to 'strenuous,' 'exhausting,' 'tiring,' or 'demanding' in English. It is technically the present participle of the verb at anstrenge (to strain or exert), but in everyday Danish, it functions primarily as an adjective to describe situations, tasks, or even people that require a significant amount of physical, mental, or emotional effort. When you use this word, you are conveying that something is not just a little bit difficult, but that it actively drains your energy reserves. It is a core word for expressing the weight of daily life, from a hard workout at the gym to a long, tedious meeting at work.

Physical Effort: Used to describe a bike ride against the wind or lifting heavy boxes. Example: 'Det var en anstrengende tur op ad bakken.'

Mental/Cognitive Load: Used for exams, complex problem-solving, or learning a new language. Example: 'Det er anstrengende at lære dansk grammatik.'

Social/Emotional Strain: Used for difficult conversations or people who are hard to be around. Example: 'Han kan være ret anstrengende i længden.'

Det har været en utrolig anstrengende dag på kontoret med mange deadlines.

Understanding the nuance of anstrengende involves recognizing that it implies a process of exertion. Unlike the word hård (hard), which can describe a physical surface or a general state, anstrengende specifically points to the act of straining oneself. If a job is 'hårdt,' it might just be difficult; if it is 'anstrengende,' it is actively wearing you out. It is a very common word in Danish culture, where the balance between work and life is highly valued, and people are often quite vocal about when their boundaries of energy are being pushed. You will hear it in casual conversations among friends, in professional feedback, and in health contexts.

Arbejdet er fysisk anstrengende, men mentalt givende.

Hvorfor skal du altid gøre alting så anstrengende?

Det er anstrengende at lytte til den konstante støj.

En anstrengende rejse kan ødelægge humøret.

Grammatically, anstrengende is an adjective derived from a present participle. This is fantastic for learners because present participles in Danish (ending in -ende) are indeclinable. This means you do not have to worry about whether the noun is common gender (en-ord), neuter gender (et-ord), or plural. It stays exactly the same in all contexts. You can place it directly before a noun or use it after a linking verb like at være (to be) or at blive (to become). It is frequently modified by adverbs like meget (very), ret (quite), or lidt (a bit) to specify the degree of effort required.

Before the Noun (Attributive): 'En anstrengende træning' (A strenuous workout). 'Det anstrengende arbejde' (The strenuous work).

After the Verb (Predicative): 'Eksamenen var anstrengende.' (The exam was strenuous). 'De er meget anstrengende.' (They are very demanding).

With Impersonal 'Det': 'Det er anstrengende at...' is a very common pattern. 'Det er anstrengende at pendle hver dag.'

Selv om det er anstrengende, så er det det hele værd.

When using it to describe people, be careful with the nuance. If you say 'Min chef er anstrengende,' you are saying your boss is tiring to deal with—perhaps because they are demanding, talk too much, or are difficult to please. It is more about the effect the person has on you rather than their personal character. In a professional context, you might use it to describe a process: 'Processen har været lang og anstrengende.' This acknowledges the hard work without necessarily complaining. It is also often paired with 'fysisk' (physically) or 'psykisk' (mentally/psychologically) to be more specific about the type of strain involved.

Det var en anstrengende opgave at få alle ender til at mødes.

Hendes selskab er desværre ret anstrengende.

At flytte i nyt hus er altid anstrengende.

Vi havde en anstrengende debat om budgettet.

You will encounter anstrengende in almost every facet of Danish life because it captures a specific feeling of fatigue that is very relatable. In the Danish workplace, it’s common to hear colleagues discussing projects. Instead of just saying a project is 'svært' (difficult), they might say it’s 'anstrengende' to emphasize the long hours and the mental drain. This word is also a staple in the world of fitness and health. Personal trainers will often ask if an exercise is 'anstrengende nok' (strenuous enough) to ensure the client is working hard enough to see results. In sports commentary, you'll hear it used to describe a match where the players are visibly struggling to keep up the pace.

In the Media: News reports might describe a 'anstrengende politisk proces' (strenuous political process) or 'anstrengende forhandlinger' (strenuous negotiations).

In Everyday Life: Parents might describe a long day with toddlers as 'anstrengende.' Students use it for their finals week.

In Literature/Film: It's used to set the mood for a character's internal struggle or a difficult environment they are navigating.

Det er anstrengende at skulle forholde sig til så meget nyt på én gang.

Another frequent place you'll hear this is in social commentary or 'hygge' contexts—or rather, the lack thereof. If a social gathering is not 'hyggelig' because people are arguing or the vibe is off, someone might later describe the evening as 'anstrengende.' It’s the opposite of the relaxed, easy-going atmosphere that Danes strive for. If you go to a dinner party where the host is trying too hard or the guests are competing for attention, that is 'anstrengende.' Interestingly, it is also used in medical contexts to describe breathing ('anstrengende vejrtrækning'), which indicates that the person is having difficulty breathing and is using extra muscles to do so. This wide range of use makes it a high-frequency word for any B1-level learner to master.

Filmen var god, men den var også lidt anstrengende at se færdig.

En anstrengende uge lakker mod enden.

Det er anstrengende at tale et fremmedsprog hele dagen.

Det var en anstrengende proces, men resultatet er fantastisk.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing anstrengende with its related word anstrengt. While they look similar, they function differently. Anstrengende is the present participle (active), meaning it describes the thing that *causes* the strain. Anstrengt is the past participle (passive/resultant), meaning it describes the *state* of being strained. For example, if you say 'Min stemme er anstrengende,' you are saying your voice is tiring for others to listen to. If you say 'Min stemme er anstrengt,' you are saying your voice feels strained or hoarse. Another mistake is trying to decline the word. Because it ends in -ende, it does not take a 't' for neuter or an 'e' for plural (it already has an 'e'). It is 'et anstrengende job' and 'mange anstrengende dage.'

Confusing with 'Hård': 'Hård' is more general. 'Anstrengende' is specifically about the exertion of energy. Don't use 'anstrengende' for a hard surface like a table.

Overusing for 'Difficult': If something is just hard to understand, use 'svært.' Use 'anstrengende' when the difficulty makes you tired.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: English speakers often over-pronounce the 'g'. In Danish, the 'ng' is a single nasal sound /ŋ/, and the 'g' is not heard as a hard 'g'.

Forkert: Det var et anstrengendet arbejde. (Wrong ending)

Another common error is using 'anstrengende' when you mean 'træt' (tired). You are 'træt' (the person feeling the fatigue), but the work is 'anstrengende' (the cause). You wouldn't say 'Jeg er anstrengende' unless you mean 'I am a tiring person to be around.' If you want to say you are exhausted, you would say 'Jeg er udmattet' or 'Jeg er træt.' This distinction between the subject and the object is crucial in Danish. Furthermore, learners sometimes forget that 'anstrengende' can be used for positive things too—like a 'good' hard workout. It doesn't always have to be a negative complaint, though it often carries a sigh of relief when the 'anstrengende' task is over.

Rigtigt: Det var et anstrengende arbejde. (Correct - no 't')

Han har et anstrengt forhold til sin far. (Correct use of 'anstrengt' for a strained relationship)

Det er anstrengende at løbe marathon. (Correct use for the activity)

Jeg er træt efter en anstrengende dag. (Correct distinction)

Danish has several words that overlap with anstrengende, and choosing the right one can make your Danish sound more natural and precise. The most common alternative is hård. While anstrengende specifically implies the act of straining, hård is a broader term for 'hard' or 'tough.' You can have a 'hård dag' or an 'anstrengende dag,' and they are largely interchangeable, but 'anstrengende' sounds slightly more descriptive of the effort involved. Another powerful alternative is udmattende, which translates to 'exhausting.' Use udmattende when you want to emphasize that the activity has completely drained your energy—it’s one step further than anstrengende.

Anstrengende vs. Hård: 'Hård' is general toughness; 'anstrengende' is the specific feeling of exertion. A bed can be 'hård,' but it cannot be 'anstrengende.'

Anstrengende vs. Krævende: 'Krævende' means 'demanding.' It focuses on the requirements of the task (skills, time, focus), whereas 'anstrengende' focuses on the toll it takes on you.

Anstrengende vs. Trættende: 'Trættende' means 'tiring' or 'boring.' If someone talks too much about something uninteresting, it is 'trættende.' If they are emotionally difficult, they are 'anstrengende.'

Det er et meget krævende job, der kræver fuldt fokus.

For physical activities, you might also use kraftanstrengende, which is a compound word specifically meaning 'requiring a great deal of physical strength.' If you are looking for a more informal way to say something is tiring, you might say it is pustende (making you pant) or even hårdt for systemet (hard on the system). In academic or formal writing, you might see møjsommelig, which means 'laborious' or 'painstaking,' often used for slow, detailed work. Understanding these synonyms allows you to scale your language from a simple complaint about a long day to a nuanced description of a complex, energy-depleting professional project.

Rejsen var udmattende efter 24 timer undervejs.

Det er trættende at høre på de samme undskyldninger.

En hård nød at knække. (A tough nut to crack - idiomatic).

Det var en møjsommelig proces at genskabe dokumentet.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The root 'streng' is the same as in the English word 'string' and 'strict.' Think of it as 'stringing yourself up' for a task.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈanˌsdʁɛŋnə/

US /ˈanˌsdʁɛŋnə/

Primary stress on the first syllable 'AN-', secondary stress on the second syllable '-STRENG-'.

Reimt sich auf

trængende (needy) afhængende (depending) trængende (urgent) velfungerende (well-functioning) irriterende (annoying) imponerende (impressive) fremragende (excellent) beroligende (calming)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' (like in 'go'). It should be a nasal 'ng'.
Over-pronouncing the 'r'. It should be a soft, throaty sound.
Adding a 't' at the end when describing neuter nouns (it should always end in 'e').
Confusing the pronunciation with the English 'strong' due to the similar look.
Skipping the middle 'e' sound in fast speech.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the '-ende' pattern.

Schreiben 4/5

Spelling 'anstrengende' correctly with all the 'n's and 'e's takes practice.

Sprechen 4/5

The 'ng' sound and the uvular 'r' make it a bit of a tongue twister.

Hören 3/5

Common enough that you will hear it often, helping with recognition.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

hård træt arbejde at være meget

Als Nächstes lernen

udmattende krævende at anstrenge sig anstrengt belastning

Fortgeschritten

møjsommelig restitution udbrændthed udholdenhed kraftpræstation

Wichtige Grammatik

Present Participles as Adjectives

Words ending in -ende (like anstrengende, irriterende) are adjectives that don't change form.

Impersonal 'Det'

Using 'Det er...' to introduce an adjective describing a situation: 'Det er anstrengende.'

Adverbial Modification

Adjectives can be modified by adverbs to specify the type of effort: 'Fysisk anstrengende.'

Noun-Adjective Agreement Exception

Most adjectives take -t for neuter, but -ende adjectives (anstrengende) are exceptions.

Reflexive Verbs

'At anstrenge sig' is the reflexive verb form related to the adjective.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Det er anstrengende at gå.

It is strenuous to walk.

Simple subject + verb + adjective structure.

Er sport anstrengende?

Is sport strenuous?

Question form using 'er'.

Min dag var anstrengende.

My day was strenuous.

Past tense 'var' with the adjective.

Det er ikke anstrengende.

It is not strenuous.

Negation using 'ikke'.

En anstrengende tur.

A strenuous trip.

Attributive use before a noun.

Hvorfor er det anstrengende?

Why is it strenuous?

Question word 'hvorfor'.

Det er meget anstrengende.

It is very strenuous.

Adverb 'meget' modifying the adjective.

Arbejde er anstrengende.

Work is strenuous.

General statement.

Det er anstrengende at cykle i regnvejr.

It is strenuous to cycle in rainy weather.

Infinitive phrase 'at cykle...'.

Min nye træning er meget anstrengende.

My new workout is very strenuous.

Possessive 'min' and adjective 'nye'.

Det var en anstrengende uge på skolen.

It was a strenuous week at school.

Attributive use with 'en' and 'uge'.

Jeg synes, det er anstrengende at lave mad.

I think it is strenuous to cook.

Verb 'synes' expressing opinion.

Er dit job anstrengende?

Is your job strenuous?

Possessive 'dit'.

Det er lidt anstrengende at læse denne bog.

It is a bit strenuous to read this book.

Adverb 'lidt' (a bit).

Vi havde en anstrengende rejse til Odense.

We had a strenuous journey to Odense.

Past tense 'havde'.

Hvorfor er han så anstrengende?

Why is he so strenuous (tiring)?

Describing a person's behavior.

Det kan være mentalt anstrengende at lære et nyt sprog.

It can be mentally strenuous to learn a new language.

Modal verb 'kan' and adverb 'mentalt'.

Processen var både lang og anstrengende.

The process was both long and strenuous.

Correlative conjunction 'både... og'.

Hun fandt det anstrengende at bo i storbyen.

She found it strenuous to live in the big city.

Verb 'fandt' (found) with an object and adjective.

Det er anstrengende at skulle forklare det hele igen.

It is strenuous to have to explain it all again.

Construction 'at skulle' (to have to).

En anstrengende vandretur kræver godt udstyr.

A strenuous hike requires good equipment.

Attributive use in a general statement.

Det er ret anstrengende at lytte til den støj.

It is quite strenuous to listen to that noise.

Adverb 'ret' (quite).

Han har en anstrengende personlighed.

He has a strenuous (taxing) personality.

Describing character.

Det var fysisk anstrengende at flytte alle møblerne.

It was physically strenuous to move all the furniture.

Adverb 'fysisk'.

Det er anstrengende at opretholde en facade hele tiden.

It is strenuous to maintain a facade all the time.

Abstract concept of mental effort.

Forhandlingerne var usædvanligt anstrengende for alle parter.

The negotiations were unusually strenuous for all parties.

Adverb 'usædvanligt' (unusually).

Det er en anstrengende opgave at balancere arbejde og familieliv.

It is a strenuous task to balance work and family life.

Noun 'opgave' (task) modified by 'anstrengende'.

At køre i tæt trafik er utrolig anstrengende for koncentrationen.

Driving in heavy traffic is incredibly strenuous for one's concentration.

Gerund-like use of 'at køre'.

Hans konstante kritik er meget anstrengende i længden.

His constant criticism is very tiring in the long run.

Phrase 'i længden' (in the long run).

Det var en anstrengende dag, men vi nåede i mål.

It was a strenuous day, but we reached the goal.

Contrast using 'men'.

Det er anstrengende at skulle tage stilling til alt muligt.

It is strenuous to have to take a position on all sorts of things.

Idiom 'at tage stilling til' (to take a position on).

En anstrengende periode på jobbet har påvirket hans helbred.

A strenuous period at work has affected his health.

Present perfect 'har påvirket'.

Det er anstrengende at navigere i de komplekse bureaukratiske regler.

It is strenuous to navigate the complex bureaucratic rules.

Formal vocabulary like 'navigere' and 'bureaukratiske'.

Filmens tempo var bevidst anstrengende for at skabe uro.

The film's pace was deliberately strenuous to create unease.

Adverb 'bevidst' (deliberately).

Det er anstrengende at føre en samtale med en person, der ikke lytter.

It is strenuous to conduct a conversation with a person who doesn't listen.

Relative clause 'der ikke lytter'.

Den anstrengende søgen efter sandheden førte ham vidt omkring.

The strenuous search for the truth led him far and wide.

Abstract noun 'søgen' (search).

Det kan være anstrengende at skulle leve op til samfundets forventninger.

It can be strenuous to have to live up to society's expectations.

Phrasal verb 'at leve op til'.

Det var en anstrengende, men nødvendig, debat om etik.

It was a strenuous, but necessary, debate about ethics.

Parenthetical adjective 'men nødvendig'.

Hans anstrengende forsøg på at være morsom faldt til jorden.

His strenuous attempt to be funny fell flat.

Idiom 'at falde til jorden'.

Det er anstrengende for øjnene at stirre på en skærm i otte timer.

It is strenuous for the eyes to stare at a screen for eight hours.

Prepositional phrase 'for øjnene'.

At dekonstruere teksten viste sig at være en yderst anstrengende opgave.

Deconstructing the text proved to be an extremely strenuous task.

Academic verb 'dekonstruere' and adverb 'yderst'.

Der herskede en anstrengende atmosfære i lokalet efter afsløringen.

A strenuous atmosphere prevailed in the room after the revelation.

Formal verb 'herskede' (prevailed).

Det er anstrengende at skulle balancere mellem integritet og kompromis.

It is strenuous to have to balance between integrity and compromise.

Philosophical nouns 'integritet' and 'kompromis'.

Hendes anstrengende stræben efter perfektion blev hendes undergang.

Her strenuous pursuit of perfection became her downfall.

Noun 'stræben' (pursuit/striving).

Det er anstrengende at vidne til den systematiske nedbrydning af værdier.

It is strenuous to witness the systematic breakdown of values.

Formal construction 'at vidne til'.

Den anstrengende rejse gennem det barske landskab satte sine spor.

The strenuous journey through the harsh landscape left its mark.

Idiom 'at sætte sine spor'.

Det er anstrengende at forholde sig til den konstante strøm af information.

It is strenuous to relate to the constant stream of information.

Phrase 'at forholde sig til'.

Kritikken var anstrengende i sin pedantiske detaljerigdom.

The criticism was strenuous in its pedantic wealth of detail.

High-level vocabulary 'pedantisk' and 'detaljerigdom'.

Häufige Kollokationen

fysisk anstrengende

psykisk anstrengende

mentalt anstrengende

ret anstrengende

utrolig anstrengende

en anstrengende dag

en anstrengende proces

anstrengende vejrtrækning

anstrengende for øjnene

anstrengende at lytte til

Häufige Phrasen

Det er anstrengende i længden.

— It is tiring/strenuous over a long period of time. Often used for recurring problems.

Støjen fra vejen er anstrengende i længden.

Gøre det anstrengende for sig selv.

— To make things harder for oneself than they need to be.

Du gør det bare anstrengende for dig selv ved ikke at bede om hjælp.

En anstrengende affære.

— A strenuous or difficult matter/situation.

Flytningen viste sig at blive en anstrengende affære.

Det lyder anstrengende.

— That sounds exhausting/strenuous. A common empathetic response.

Skal du arbejde hele weekenden? Det lyder anstrengende.

Synes det er anstrengende.

— To find something strenuous/tiring.

Jeg synes, det er anstrengende at pendle to timer hver dag.

En anstrengende person.

— A person who is difficult or draining to be around.

Hun er en meget anstrengende person at samarbejde med.

Ikke spor anstrengende.

— Not strenuous at all. Used for emphasis.

Turen var slet ikke spor anstrengende.

Ganske anstrengende.

— Quite strenuous. A slightly more formal way to say 'ret anstrengende.'

Det var ganske anstrengende at færdiggøre rapporten.

Hvor anstrengende!

— How exhausting! / How tiring! An exclamation.

Skal du også vaske op nu? Hvor anstrengende!

Alt for anstrengende.

— Way too strenuous/exhausting.

Det er alt for anstrengende at løbe i denne varme.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

anstrengende vs anstrengt

This is the past participle. Use 'anstrengende' for the cause and 'anstrengt' for the strained result (e.g., a strained voice).

anstrengende vs svært

Use 'svært' for something difficult to understand/solve, and 'anstrengende' for something that drains your energy.

anstrengende vs hårdt

Use 'hårdt' for general toughness or physical hardness. 'Anstrengende' is specifically about the exertion.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"at anstrenge sig til det yderste"

— To exert oneself to the absolute limit. Though it uses the verb, it's the core concept behind the adjective.

Han anstrengte sig til det yderste for at vinde løbet.

neutral

"et anstrengt forhold"

— A strained relationship. (Note: uses 'anstrengt', the past participle, but is essential for understanding the word family).

De har altid haft et anstrengt forhold til hinanden.

neutral

"at gøre en kraftanstrengelse"

— To make a major effort (literally a 'power-strain').

Vi må gøre en kraftanstrengelse for at blive færdige til tiden.

formal

"at være hårdt spændt for"

— To be under a lot of pressure or having a very strenuous time (idiomatically like a horse hitched to a heavy load).

Hun er hårdt spændt for på arbejdet i øjeblikket.

informal

"at svede tran"

— To work very hard or be in a strenuous situation (literally 'to sweat whale oil').

Jeg svedte tran over den matematikopgave.

informal

"at lægge sig i selen"

— To put effort into something (literally 'to lay oneself in the harness').

Hvis du vil bestå, må du lægge dig i selen.

neutral

"at have mange jern i ilden"

— To have many things going on at once, which can be 'anstrengende.'

Han har altid mange jern i ilden, så han er tit træt.

neutral

"at slide og slæbe"

— To toil and moil; to do very strenuous physical work.

De har slidt og slæbt hele deres liv.

neutral

"at være på pumperne"

— To be exhausted after a strenuous period (literally 'to be on the pumps').

Efter eksamen var han helt ude på pumperne.

informal

"at tage fat"

— To start working hard on a strenuous task.

Nu skal vi tage fat, hvis vi skal blive færdige.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

anstrengende vs anstrengt

They look and sound very similar.

Anstrengende is an adjective describing something that causes tiredness. Anstrengt is a participle describing a state of being strained or forced.

Det er en anstrengende opgave, og han har et anstrengt udtryk i ansigtet.

anstrengende vs trættende

Both translate to 'tiring'.

Anstrengende implies hard work/effort. Trættende often implies boredom or annoyance.

Det er anstrengende at løbe, men det er trættende at høre på hans brok.

anstrengende vs krævende

Both involve high effort.

Krævende refers to the high standards or requirements of a task. Anstrengende refers to the toll it takes on the person.

Jobbet er krævende, fordi man skal vide meget, og det er anstrengende, fordi man arbejder 12 timer om dagen.

anstrengende vs belastende

Both describe a negative strain.

Belastende means 'burdensome' or 'stressful'. It is often used for environmental factors (like noise) or social burdens.

Støjen er belastende, og arbejdet er anstrengende.

anstrengende vs udmattende

Both describe exhaustion.

Udmattende is much stronger. If something is anstrengende, you are tired. If it is udmattende, you are completely spent.

En 5km løbetur er anstrengende, men et marathon er udmattende.

Satzmuster

Det er [adjective].

Det er anstrengende.

En [adjective] [noun].

En anstrengende uge.

Det er [adverb] anstrengende.

Det er fysisk anstrengende.

Det er anstrengende at [verb].

Det er anstrengende at løbe.

Synes at [noun] er anstrengende.

Jeg synes, at turen er anstrengende.

[Noun] har været anstrengende.

Processen har været anstrengende.

En anstrengende, men [adjective], [noun].

En anstrengende, men givende, opgave.

Den anstrengende [abstract noun] af [noun].

Den anstrengende dekonstruktion af teksten.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

anstrengelse (effort/exertion)

overanstrengelse (overexertion)

Verben

at anstrenge (to strain/exert)

at anstrenge sig (to exert oneself/try hard)

at overanstrenge (to overstrain)

Adjektive

anstrengt (strained/forced - past participle)

uoverkommelig (insurmountable/too strenuous)

Verwandt

streng (strict/severe)

strenge (strings/strains)

anstrengelsesudløst (triggered by exertion)

arbejdsindsats (work effort)

energiforbrug (energy consumption)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Danish.

Häufige Fehler

Det var et anstrengendet job. → Det var et anstrengende job.
Learners often try to add a 't' to match the neuter noun 'job,' but -ende adjectives are indeclinable.
Jeg er anstrengende. → Jeg er træt.
Unless you mean 'I am a tiring person to be around,' you should use 'træt' to describe your own feeling of fatigue.
Han har et anstrengende smil. → Han har et anstrengt smil.
A smile that is forced is 'anstrengt' (past participle). 'Anstrengende' would mean the smile itself is making others tired.
Bogen er anstrengende at læse. → Bogen er svær at læse. (If it's about difficulty understanding)
Use 'anstrengende' if the book physically or mentally exhausts you (e.g., tiny text or very dense), but use 'svær' if you just don't understand the content.
Turen var meget anstrenget. → Turen var meget anstrengende.
Learners often mix up the endings. The activity (the trip) should be the present participle (-ende).

Tipps

Don't Decline It!

Remember that adjectives ending in -ende never change. Don't add a 't' for neuter words like 'arbejde'. It's always 'anstrengende'.

Soft 'R' and Nasal 'NG'

Focus on the back of your throat for the 'r' and keep the 'ng' nasal. This is the hardest part of the word for English speakers.

Describe the Cause

Always use 'anstrengende' for the activity or person that makes you tired, not for yourself. You are 'træt' (tired), but the work is 'anstrengende'.

Polite Complaining

In Denmark, calling a task 'anstrengende' is a socially acceptable way to acknowledge hard work without sounding like you're giving up.

Mental vs Physical

Use 'fysisk anstrengende' for the gym and 'mentalt anstrengende' for your Danish classes to sound more precise.

Pair with 'Men'

A classic sentence structure is '[Something] er anstrengende, men [something positive].' This shows balance and resilience.

Listen for the Schwa

The final 'e' is very short. It sounds like the 'a' in 'sofa'. Don't over-pronounce it as a long 'ee'.

The 'Strain' Link

Connect the 'streng' in the word to the English 'strain' or 'strenuous' to remember the meaning easily.

Force vs Strain

Learn 'anstrengt smil' (forced smile) alongside 'anstrengende' to understand the difference between the state and the cause.

Anti-Hygge

If a situation is the opposite of 'hyggelig' because it's too much work or socially difficult, 'anstrengende' is the perfect word to use.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'AN STRONG' effort. To do something 'anstrengende,' you need to be 'strong' because it's so exhausting.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person pulling a heavy 'string' (root of streng) uphill. The string is tight, and the person is sweating.

Word Web

Hård Træt Energi Arbejde Sport Stress Fokus Udmattet

Herausforderung

Try to use 'anstrengende' three times today: once for something physical, once for something mental, and once for a social situation.

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Danish verb 'anstrenge,' which comes from the Middle Low German word 'anstrenge.' It is composed of the prefix 'an-' (to/at) and the word 'strenge' (to make tight or strict).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To tighten or to draw tight, as in a rope or a string. It evolved to mean the tightening of muscles or the mind in effort.

Germanic (Indo-European). Cognate with the German 'anstrengen.'

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful calling a person 'anstrengende' directly to their face; it is quite a personal criticism of their social behavior.

English speakers might use 'exhausting' or 'tiring' more frequently, but 'anstrengende' covers a broader middle ground of 'high-effort' activities.

Danish sports commentators frequently use the word during the Tour de France (very popular in Denmark). In the TV show 'Matador,' characters often describe social obligations as 'anstrengende.' Modern Danish pop songs often use it to describe complicated love lives.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Fitness/Sports

Er det anstrengende nok?
En anstrengende træning.
Fysisk anstrengende øvelser.
Det var anstrengende for benene.

Work/Office

En anstrengende deadline.
Mentalt anstrengende opgaver.
Det har været en anstrengende uge.
En anstrengende chef.

Socializing

Han er lidt anstrengende.
En anstrengende samtale.
Det er anstrengende at fake et smil.
Selskabet var lidt anstrengende.

Education

En anstrengende eksamen.
Det er anstrengende at lære grammatik.
En anstrengende læseperiode.
Det er anstrengende for koncentrationen.

Travel

En anstrengende flyrejse.
Det er anstrengende at rejse med børn.
En anstrengende tur gennem tolden.
Rejsen var lang og anstrengende.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Har du haft en anstrengende dag i dag?"

"Hvad er det mest anstrengende job, du nogensinde har haft?"

"Synes du, det er anstrengende at tale dansk hele tiden?"

"Hvilken type træning synes du er mest anstrengende?"

"Kender du nogen, der er rigtig anstrengende at være sammen med?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Beskriv en situation, der var mentalt anstrengende for dig.

Hvad gør du for at slappe af efter en anstrengende uge?

Er det mere anstrengende at være fysisk træt eller mentalt træt? Hvorfor?

Skriv om en person, du finder anstrengende, uden at bruge deres navn.

Reflektér over en anstrengende proces, der endte med et godt resultat.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'anstrengende' is a present participle used as an adjective, and in Danish, these are indeclinable. It stays the same for en-ord, et-ord, and plural nouns. For example: 'en anstrengende dag', 'et anstrengende job', and 'mange anstrengende timer'.

Yes, but be careful. If you call someone 'anstrengende,' you are saying they are exhausting or difficult to be around. It's a common way to describe someone who is demanding, talks too much, or is socially taxing. It is not a compliment.

'Hård' is a general word for 'hard' or 'tough.' 'Anstrengende' specifically refers to the effort or strain required. You can have a 'hård seng' (hard bed), but not an 'anstrengende seng.' However, a 'hård dag' and an 'anstrengende dag' are very similar, with 'anstrengende' sounding slightly more descriptive of the exertion.

The 'ng' is pronounced as a single nasal sound /ŋ/, similar to the 'ng' in the English word 'sing.' You do not pronounce a hard 'g' sound after the nasal sound. It flows directly into the following 'e'.

Usually, yes, as it describes something that drains your energy. However, it can be used in a positive or neutral context, such as describing a 'good, strenuous workout' that makes you feel productive. It's more about the intensity of the effort than the quality of the experience.

Use 'anstrengt' (the past participle) when you want to describe something that *is* strained or forced. For example, 'et anstrengt smil' (a forced smile) or 'et anstrengt forhold' (a strained relationship). 'Anstrengende' is the *cause* of the strain.

Absolutely. It is very commonly used for mental tasks like 'anstrengende lektier' (strenuous homework) or 'mentalt anstrengende møder' (mentally strenuous meetings). It is not limited to physical exertion.

You will often see it paired with 'fysisk' (physically), 'mentalt' (mentally), 'psykisk' (psychologically), 'meget' (very), 'ret' (quite), or 'utrolig' (incredibly). These help specify the type or degree of the strain.

Yes, the verb is 'at anstrenge.' It is most commonly used reflexively: 'at anstrenge sig,' which means 'to exert oneself' or 'to try hard.' For example: 'Du skal anstrenge dig mere i skolen' (You need to try harder in school).

If something is more than just strenuous, you should use 'udmattende.' This translates to 'exhausting' and implies that you have no energy left at all. 'Anstrengende' is more about the process of the effort.

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