B1 adjective Neutral 3 Min. Lesezeit

betydelig

/byˈtyːdli/

Overview

The Danish word 'betydelig' is an adjective that translates to 'considerable', 'significant', 'substantial', or 'important' in English. It is used to describe something that is sufficiently great or important in terms of quantity, degree, or impact.

Etymology and Usage:

The word 'betydelig' is derived from the Danish verb 'betyde', meaning 'to mean' or 'to signify'. This etymological connection highlights its core meaning related to significance and meaning. It's a versatile word used across various contexts, from formal writing to everyday conversation.

Grammatical Forms:

Like most Danish adjectives, 'betydelig' inflects to agree with the noun it modifies in terms of gender and number:

  • Common Gender (en-words): betydelig (e.g., 'en betydelig mængde' - a considerable amount)
  • Neuter Gender (et-words): betydeligt (e.g., 'et betydeligt beløb' - a significant sum)
  • Plural and Definite Form: betydelige (e.g., 'de betydelige forskelle' - the significant differences)

Common Collocations and Phrases:

'Betydelig' often appears in common collocations that emphasize its meaning:

  • En betydelig forbedring: A significant improvement
  • En betydelig udfordring: A considerable challenge
  • En betydelig indflydelse: A substantial influence
  • En betydelig forskel: A noticeable difference
  • En betydelig mængde: A considerable quantity
  • En betydelig reduktion: A significant reduction
  • At have en betydelig rolle: To play an important role
  • Af betydelig værdi: Of considerable value

Nuances and Synonyms:

While 'betydelig' broadly means 'significant', its specific nuance can vary depending on the context. Consider these synonyms and their slight differences:

  • Vigtig: Important (more general, can be about necessity or high priority)
  • Væsentlig: Essential, crucial (implies fundamental importance, often indispensable)
  • Stor: Big, large (can refer to physical size or magnitude, but 'betydelig' often implies more than just size, suggesting impact)
  • Bemærkelsesværdig: Remarkable, noteworthy (draws attention due to being unusual or exceptional)
  • Substantiel: Substantial (often used in financial or material contexts, implying a significant amount)

Examples in Context:

  1. 1“Der var en betydelig stigning i salget sidste kvartal.” (There was a significant increase in sales last quarter.) - Here, 'betydelig' emphasizes the magnitude of the increase.
  1. 1“Han har haft en betydelig indflydelse på projektets succes.” (He has had a considerable influence on the project's success.) - This highlights the impactful role of the person.
  1. 1“Det kræver en betydelig indsats at lære et nyt sprog.” (It requires a substantial effort to learn a new language.) - 'Betydelig' stresses the amount of effort needed.
  1. 1“Der er betydelige forskelle mellem de to forslag.” (There are significant differences between the two proposals.) - This points out the noticeable distinctions.

In summary, 'betydelig' is a powerful adjective in Danish for conveying the idea of something being of ample size, degree, or importance, and its use enriches the description of quantities, impacts, and efforts.

Beispiele

1

Det har en betydelig indvirkning på klimaet.

climate change

It has a significant impact on the climate.

2

Hun har ydet et betydeligt bidrag til forskningen.

academic achievement

She has made a considerable contribution to the research.

3

Der var en betydelig forbedring i hans helbred.

health progress

There was a marked improvement in his health.

4

Virksomheden har opnået en betydelig vækst.

business success

The company has achieved substantial growth.

5

En betydelig del af befolkningen er utilfreds.

public opinion

A significant portion of the population is dissatisfied.

Häufige Kollokationen

betydelig forskel
betydelig forbedring
betydelig indflydelse
betydelig stigning

So verwendest du es

Nutzungshinweise

'Betydelig' can be used in a variety of contexts, often functioning as an adjective to describe nouns that possess a notable degree of size, impact, or importance. For example, 'en betydelig mængde' means 'a significant amount,' and 'en betydelig forbedring' means 'a considerable improvement.' It can also precede verbs or adverbs to intensify their meaning, though this is less common than its adjectival use. When used to describe abstract concepts like 'influence' (indflydelse) or 'difference' (forskel), it emphasizes the substantial nature of that influence or difference. It's generally a more formal word than 'stor' (big) or 'vigtig' (important), lending a sense of weight and seriousness to the statement. While it can be used colloquially, its formality means it's often found in written texts, professional discussions, or when discussing matters of serious consequence. It is important to note that 'betydelig' does not necessarily imply a positive connotation; a 'betydelig nedgang' (significant decrease) can be negative.


Häufige Fehler

A common mistake might be confusing 'betydelig' with 'betydning' (meaning or significance as a noun). 'Betydelig' is an adjective, meaning 'significant' or 'considerable', while 'betydning' is the noun form. Ensure you use 'betydelig' when describing something that is sufficiently great or important, and 'betydning' when referring to the concept of meaning or importance itself.

Tipps

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Other words for "considerable"

Here are some synonyms for 'betydelig': * **Væsentlig:** (Essential, significant) Often used for something crucial or fundamental. * **Omfattende:** (Extensive, comprehensive) Implies a large scope or coverage. * **Stor:** (Large, great) A more general term for something of considerable size or quantity. * **Bemærkelsesværdig:** (Remarkable, noteworthy) Highlights something that stands out or is unusual. * **Betydningsfuld:** (Significant, meaningful) Emphasizes importance or impact. * **Anseelig:** (Considerable, substantial) Similar to 'betydelig', often used for amounts or numbers. * **Ganske meget/mange:** (Quite a lot/many) Informal way to express a considerable amount. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.
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Common pitfalls

When using 'betydelig', be mindful of these common pitfalls: * **Overuse:** While versatile, using 'betydelig' too frequently can make your writing repetitive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like 'væsentlig', 'omfattende', or 'stor'. * **Contextual appropriateness:** Ensure the context truly warrants the emphasis of 'considerable'. Sometimes, a simpler adjective might be more suitable. * **Agreement:** Remember that Danish adjectives agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. While 'betydelig' is the common form, it changes for common gender plural ('betydelige') and for definite forms ('den betydelige'). For example: * *En betydelig forbedring* (A considerable improvement - common gender singular) * *De betydelige forskelle* (The considerable differences - plural) Paying attention to these details will help you use 'betydelig' effectively and naturally.
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When to use 'betydelig'

'Betydelig' is a versatile adjective in Danish, best used when you want to emphasize that something is: * **Sufficiently great in amount or degree:** * *Der er sket en betydelig stigning i priserne.* (There has been a considerable increase in prices.) * *Han har en betydelig formue.* (He has a considerable fortune.) * **Important or significant:** * *Det er en betydelig udfordring.* (It is a significant challenge.) * *Hendes bidrag var betydeligt for projektets succes.* (Her contribution was significant for the project's success.) * **Noticeable or remarkable:** * *Der var en betydelig forskel på de to resultater.* (There was a considerable difference between the two results.) * *Vægten af hendes argumenter var betydelig.* (The weight of her arguments was considerable.) Use 'betydelig' to convey a sense of substantiality, importance, or a noticeable impact.

Wortherkunft

The Danish word 'betydelig' traces its roots back to Old Norse and Germanic languages, signifying a rich history of semantic development. It is derived from the verb 'betyde', which means 'to mean' or 'to signify', combined with the suffix '-lig', a common adjectival ending in Germanic languages that denotes 'like' or 'able to be'. This construction parallels similar formations in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish 'betydlig' and Norwegian 'betydelig', all sharing the core concept of something having 'meaning' or 'significance'. The Proto-Germanic root *bi-þeudijaną, meaning 'to make known' or 'to explain', further illuminates the word's origins, highlighting an early association with communication and clarity. Over centuries, 'betydelig' evolved from merely describing something that 'has meaning' to encompassing the broader sense of being 'of considerable size, amount, or importance'. This semantic shift reflects how a concept's significance often correlates with its impact or magnitude. The word's usage in Danish literature and everyday speech underscores its versatility, allowing it to describe anything from a 'betydelig' achievement to a 'betydelig' amount of work. The continued presence of 'betydelig' in modern Danish, maintaining its core meaning while adapting to contemporary contexts, is a testament to its linguistic resilience and fundamental role in expressing degrees of importance and magnitude. Its etymology thus offers a fascinating glimpse into the interconnectedness of language evolution across Northern Europe.

Kultureller Kontext

In Denmark, the word 'betydelig' (sufficiently great or important) often carries a nuance of understated significance rather than overt grandiosity. While it directly translates to 'significant' or 'considerable,' its cultural usage often implies an importance that might not be immediately obvious but holds substantial weight upon closer examination. This can be seen in discussions about social issues, where a 'betydelig' impact might refer to a widespread but subtly felt change. It's less about boasting and more about acknowledging a genuine, often understated, influence. In a culture that values modesty and often shies away from exaggeration, 'betydelig' can be a powerful descriptor for something that truly matters without being ostentatious. It can also be used in more formal or academic contexts to describe research findings, economic trends, or historical events that have a clear and measurable impact, yet still within a framework of factual and objective reporting.

Merkhilfe

Visualize something 'betydelig' (significant), like a towering mountain or a grand achievement, to associate the word with importance and greatness. You can also break it down: 'betyd' (meaning/importance) and '-elig' (suffix indicating capability or quality).

Häufig gestellte Fragen

4 Fragen
The Danish word for 'sufficiently great or important' is 'betydelig'.
The pronunciation of 'betydelig' can be broken down as 'buh-TY-duh-lee'. The 'y' is like the 'y' in 'myth', and the 'g' at the end is often very soft, almost like a 'y' sound, or sometimes silent, depending on regional accent and speech tempo. A good way to approximate it for an English speaker would be 'buh-tyoo-duh-ly'.
Certainly! 'Betydelig' is an adjective. Here's an example: 'Han har gjort en betydelig indsats' which translates to 'He has made a significant effort.' It emphasizes the importance or magnitude of the effort. Another example could be 'Det var en betydelig forbedring', meaning 'It was a considerable improvement.'
Yes, there are several synonyms for 'betydelig' that convey similar meanings of importance or magnitude. Some common ones include 'væsentlig' (essential, significant), 'markant' (marked, prominent), 'stor' (large, great, when referring to abstract concepts like importance), and 'omfattende' (extensive, comprehensive). The best choice often depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank

En _______ forbedring i kvaliteten af produktet.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

Der var en _______ forskel mellem de to resultater.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
fill blank

Hans bidrag til projektet var _______.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

Ergebnis: /3

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