tung in 30 Sekunden

  • Tung means heavy, describing physical weight.
  • It's also used metaphorically for difficult or serious things.
  • Common in everyday Danish for objects, feelings, and situations.
  • Remember grammatical forms (tung, tunge, tungt).

The Danish word 'tung' is an adjective that translates directly to 'heavy' in English. It describes something that has a lot of weight or is difficult to lift or move because of its weight. This is a very common and fundamental word in Danish, used in a wide variety of everyday situations.

'Tung' can be used to describe physical objects. For example, a suitcase can be 'tung' if it's packed full, or a box of books might feel 'tung' when you try to carry it. It's also used metaphorically to describe things that are difficult, burdensome, or emotionally weighty.

Think about the feeling of carrying a large bag of groceries. It's physically 'tung'. Or consider a difficult conversation; it might feel emotionally 'tung'. The word can also describe a physical sensation, like a headache that feels 'tung', or a body that feels tired and heavy after exertion.

In Danish culture, like in many others, the concept of weight is often associated with importance or significance. Therefore, 'tung' can sometimes imply something is serious or significant, beyond just its physical mass. For instance, a 'tung beslutning' (heavy decision) implies a decision with significant consequences.

Understanding 'tung' is crucial for grasping basic Danish descriptions of physical properties and abstract concepts. It's a versatile word that you'll encounter frequently in spoken and written Danish, from simple descriptions of objects to more complex emotional states or important matters.

Physical Weight
Describes objects with significant mass, making them hard to lift or move.
Emotional Burden
Refers to feelings of sadness, worry, or seriousness that weigh on a person.
Difficulty or Seriousness
Can describe tasks, situations, or decisions that are challenging or have significant implications.

Kassen er meget tung.

The box is very heavy.

Det var en tung samtale.

It was a heavy conversation.

'Tung' is a versatile adjective and can be placed before a noun it modifies, or after a linking verb like 'er' (is) or 'blev' (became). Its usage often depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When describing a noun directly, it typically precedes the noun. For example, 'en tung sten' means 'a heavy stone'. If the noun is definite, the adjective takes a different form, often with an '-e' ending, or it might be placed after the noun in certain constructions, though this is less common for basic adjectives like 'tung' in simple sentences. For instance, 'den tunge sten' (the heavy stone).

A very common way to use 'tung' is after the verb 'at være' (to be). This structure allows you to describe the state or quality of something. For example, 'Tasken er tung' means 'The bag is heavy'. Similarly, 'Problemet var tungt' means 'The problem was heavy/difficult'. This construction is straightforward and widely applicable.

Metaphorical uses of 'tung' are also frequent. You might hear about 'tunge tanker' (heavy thoughts), 'en tung stemning' (a heavy atmosphere), or 'en tung tid' (a difficult/heavy time). In these cases, 'tung' conveys a sense of emotional weight, sadness, or difficulty.

Consider the structure 'at gøre noget tungt' (to make something heavy). This implies adding weight or difficulty. For example, 'At tilføje flere regler vil gøre projektet tungt' (Adding more rules will make the project heavy/difficult).

Here are some common sentence structures:

Adjective before Noun (Indefinite)
En tung bog. (A heavy book.)
Adjective after 'er' (is)
Stenen er tung. (The stone is heavy.)
Metaphorical use
Han havde tunge tanker. (He had heavy thoughts.) Note the plural form 'tunge'.
Describing a state
Dagen føles tung. (The day feels heavy.)

You will hear 'tung' constantly in everyday Danish conversation. It's a fundamental descriptive word, so its usage spans many contexts.

In a supermarket, someone might struggle with a bag of potatoes and say, 'Åh, den er tung!' (Oh, it's heavy!). When moving house, people often discuss how much furniture is 'meget tung' (very heavy).

Beyond physical weight, 'tung' is very common when discussing emotions or atmosphere. After a sad event, like a funeral, people might remark on the 'tunge stemning' (heavy atmosphere) or how they feel 'tung i sindet' (heavy in spirit/heart).

In news reports or discussions about serious matters, words like 'en tung økonomisk periode' (a heavy economic period) or 'en tung rapport' (a heavy/important report) are frequently used.

When talking about physical sensations, especially fatigue, Danes might say, 'Mine ben føles tunge' (My legs feel heavy) after exercise, or describe a headache as 'tung' when it feels oppressive.

Even in casual conversation about weather, a very dense fog could be described as 'tung tåge' (heavy fog).

Here are some typical scenarios:

At the gym
Someone lifting weights might say, 'Dette er tungt!' (This is heavy!) - note the neuter form 'tungt' for 'det' (it).
Discussing a problem
'Det er en tung sag.' (It's a heavy/difficult matter.)
Expressing fatigue
'Jeg føler mig tung i dag.' (I feel heavy/sluggish today.)
Describing an atmosphere
'Der er en tung stemning i rummet.' (There's a heavy atmosphere in the room.)

Learners of Danish sometimes make mistakes with 'tung' due to confusion with similar-sounding words or by not fully grasping its metaphorical range.

One common error is confusing 'tung' (heavy) with 'tung' (stupid/dense), though the latter is less common and often considered slightly offensive or colloquial. The primary meaning of 'tung' is 'heavy'.

Another mistake might be in the grammatical forms. 'Tung' is the base form. For plural nouns, it becomes 'tunge' (e.g., 'tunge sten' - heavy stones). For neuter nouns, it becomes 'tungt' (e.g., 'et tungt objekt' - a heavy object). Forgetting to change the adjective ending based on gender and number is a frequent slip-up for learners.

Misinterpreting the metaphorical use is also common. Learners might only associate 'tung' with physical weight and miss its application to emotions, situations, or abstract concepts. For example, translating 'en tung beslutning' as 'a heavy physical decision' would be incorrect; it means 'a difficult or significant decision'.

Incorrectly using 'tung' to describe something that is merely large but not necessarily heavy can also happen. While heavy things are often large, 'tung' specifically refers to weight, not just size. A large balloon, for instance, is not 'tung' (unless filled with water).

Finally, learners might oversimplify its use. They might stick to only very literal physical examples and avoid the more nuanced metaphorical applications, which limits their ability to communicate a wider range of ideas in Danish.

Incorrect form
Mistake: 'En tung sten' (correct) vs. 'En tunge sten' (incorrect for singular common gender) or 'Et tung sten' (incorrect for singular neuter).
Literal vs. Metaphorical
Mistake: Using 'tung' only for physical objects and not for feelings or situations. For example, not understanding 'tunge tanker' as 'heavy thoughts'.
Size vs. Weight
Mistake: Describing something as 'tung' simply because it is large, when its primary characteristic is not its weight.

While 'tung' is a primary word for 'heavy', Danish has other words that can be used in similar contexts, often with slightly different connotations or for specific types of heaviness.

Vægtig: This adjective also means 'weighty' or 'significant'. It's often used for abstract concepts, like 'en vægtig grund' (a weighty reason) or 'en vægtig debat' (a significant debate). It implies importance and substance more than just physical mass. 'Tung' can sometimes overlap with 'vægtig' when referring to serious matters, but 'vægtig' is more exclusively abstract.

Besværlig: This means 'difficult', 'cumbersome', or 'troublesome'. It's often used for tasks or situations that are complicated or hard to manage, which can be due to weight but also to other factors like complexity or awkwardness. A 'tung' box might also be 'besværlig' to carry up stairs.

Dyb: While primarily meaning 'deep', 'dyb' can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe profound sadness or thought, similar to how 'tung' can describe emotional states. For example, 'dyb sorg' (deep sorrow) conveys a similar emotional weight to 'tung sorg'.

Alvorlig: This means 'serious'. It's used for situations, expressions, or matters that require careful consideration and have significant consequences. A 'tung beslutning' (heavy decision) is often also an 'alvorlig beslutning' (serious decision).

Stærk: This means 'strong'. While not a direct synonym, strength is often associated with the ability to lift heavy things. You might need to be 'stærk' to lift something 'tung'.

Here's a comparison:

Tung vs. Vægtig
'Tung' is primarily physical weight, but can be metaphorical for burden. 'Vægtig' is more exclusively abstract, meaning significant or important. Example: 'En tung sten' (A heavy stone) vs. 'En vægtig grund' (A weighty reason).
Tung vs. Besværlig
'Tung' focuses on weight. 'Besværlig' focuses on difficulty or inconvenience, which can be due to weight but also other factors like size, shape, or complexity. Example: 'Den tunge kuffert er også besværlig at bære op ad trappen.' (The heavy suitcase is also cumbersome to carry up the stairs.)
Tung vs. Alvorlig
'Tung' can describe a serious situation metaphorically. 'Alvorlig' directly means serious. Example: 'Det var en tung nyhed' (It was heavy news - implying sad/difficult) vs. 'Det var en alvorlig situation' (It was a serious situation).

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The Proto-Germanic root '*tunguz' is also related to words in other Indo-European languages, though the connection might be less direct. For example, it's thought to be distantly related to the Latin word 'gravis' (heavy), though this is debated among linguists.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /tʊŋ/
US /tʊŋ/
The stress is on the single syllable of the word.
Reimt sich auf
sung lung rung strung young along strong long
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing the 'u' as a long 'oo' sound (like in 'moon'). It should be short.
  • Not fully pronouncing the final 'ng' sound, making it sound like 'tun'.
  • Adding an extra vowel sound after the 'ng'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

The word itself is simple, but understanding its metaphorical uses requires context. Recognizing 'tung' in abstract or emotional descriptions might be challenging for beginners.

Schreiben 2/5

Using the correct grammatical forms (tung, tunge, tungt) is important. Applying the metaphorical meanings correctly in writing requires a good grasp of context.

Sprechen 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward. Using 'tung' appropriately in both literal and metaphorical contexts in speech is key to sounding natural.

Hören 2/5

The word is very common, so recognizing it is easy. Differentiating between literal and metaphorical meanings based on spoken context is the main challenge.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

stor lille god dårlig er

Als Nächstes lernen

let besværlig vægtig byrde ansvar

Fortgeschritten

tyngde betynget ubærlig overvældende

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

Stenen er tung.

The stone is heavy.

Basic sentence structure: Noun + er + Adjective.

2

Tasken er tung.

The bag is heavy.

'Taske' is a common noun, 'tung' describes it.

3

Det er tungt.

It is heavy.

Using 'det' (it) with the neuter form 'tungt'.

4

Bogen er tung.

The book is heavy.

'Bog' (book) is a common gender noun.

5

Han løfter tung.

He lifts heavy.

Implies lifting something heavy, possibly without specifying the object.

6

En tung kuffert.

A heavy suitcase.

Adjective before the noun.

7

Er kassen tung?

Is the box heavy?

Inverted sentence order for a question.

8

Jeg kan ikke løfte den. Den er for tung.

I cannot lift it. It is too heavy.

Using 'for' (too) with 'tung'.

1

Den store sten er meget tung.

The big stone is very heavy.

Using 'stor' (big) and 'meget' (very) to modify 'tung'.

2

Vi fik en tung pakke med posten.

We received a heavy package by mail.

'Pakke' (package) is common gender. Plural form of 'tung' is not needed here.

3

Mine ben føles tunge efter løbeturen.

My legs feel heavy after the run.

Plural adjective 'tunge' for 'ben' (legs).

4

Det var en tung dag på arbejdet.

It was a heavy day at work.

Metaphorical use: 'tung' for difficult or tiring.

5

Han bar den tunge sæk op ad bakken.

He carried the heavy sack up the hill.

Definite form of the noun 'sæk' (sack) requires the definite adjective form 'tunge'.

6

Hvorfor er denne bog så tung?

Why is this book so heavy?

'Så' (so) used to emphasize the degree of heaviness.

7

Den tunge luft gjorde det svært at trække vejret.

The heavy air made it difficult to breathe.

Metaphorical use of 'tung' for air quality.

8

Efter middagen følte jeg mig lidt tung.

After dinner, I felt a bit heavy/sluggish.

Describes a physical sensation of heaviness or fullness.

1

Den politiske situation er blevet mere tung de seneste uger.

The political situation has become more heavy/tense in recent weeks.

Metaphorical use for seriousness and difficulty in abstract situations.

2

Han havde en tung følelse i maven.

He had a heavy feeling in his stomach.

Describes a physical sensation often linked to anxiety or unease.

3

At bære ansvaret for så mange mennesker er en tung byrde.

Carrying the responsibility for so many people is a heavy burden.

Metaphorical use: 'tung' modifying 'byrde' (burden).

4

Dette er en tung sag, som kræver grundig undersøgelse.

This is a heavy matter that requires thorough investigation.

'Sag' (matter/case) is common gender. 'Tung' here means difficult and serious.

5

Hun græd tunge tårer.

She cried heavy tears.

Describes the intensity or emotional weight of crying.

6

Den gamle motor var tung og upålidelig.

The old engine was heavy and unreliable.

Describing physical characteristics of an object.

7

En tung beslutning kan have langtrækkende konsekvenser.

A heavy decision can have far-reaching consequences.

Metaphorical use for decisions with significant impact.

8

Lyden af trommerne var dyb og tung.

The sound of the drums was deep and heavy.

Describes the quality of a sound.

1

Den økonomiske recession har lagt en tung dyne over forbrugertilliden.

The economic recession has laid a heavy blanket over consumer confidence.

Metaphorical use: 'tung dyne' (heavy blanket) represents a stifling or oppressive effect.

2

Hans tale var præget af en tung melankoli.

His speech was characterized by a heavy melancholy.

Describing an emotional state with 'tung'.

3

Man kan ikke undgå den tunge arv fra fortiden.

One cannot avoid the heavy legacy of the past.

Metaphorical use for historical burdens or consequences.

4

Den tunge trafik gjorde det umuligt at nå frem til tiden.

The heavy traffic made it impossible to arrive on time.

Describing a high volume of traffic, implying difficulty and slowness.

5

At skrive denne bog var en tung, men givende proces.

Writing this book was a heavy, but rewarding process.

Acknowledging the difficulty ('tung') alongside the positive outcome ('givende').

6

Der hviler en tung stilhed over stedet efter ulykken.

A heavy silence hangs over the place after the accident.

Describing the quality of silence as oppressive or significant.

7

Han sendte et tungt blik mod sin modstander.

He sent a heavy look towards his opponent.

Describes the intensity or emotional weight of a gaze.

8

Med tungt hjerte måtte hun sige farvel.

With a heavy heart, she had to say goodbye.

Idiomatic expression for sadness and reluctance.

1

Den kunstneriske bevægelse var præget af en tung eksistentialisme.

The artistic movement was characterized by a heavy existentialism.

Describing the philosophical and emotional tone of an artistic movement.

2

Landets gældsbyrde er en tung sten om halsen på den økonomiske vækst.

The country's debt burden is a heavy stone around the neck of economic growth.

Metaphorical: 'tung sten om halsen' (heavy stone around the neck) signifies a significant hindrance.

3

Hans stemme bar præg af en dyb, tung sorg.

His voice bore the mark of a deep, heavy sorrow.

Describing the profound emotional depth of sorrow.

4

Den juridiske tekst var så tung, at kun eksperter kunne forstå den.

The legal text was so heavy/dense that only experts could understand it.

Metaphorical use for complexity and difficulty of comprehension.

5

Efter en lang og tung dag på slagmarken, vendte soldaterne hjem.

After a long and heavy day on the battlefield, the soldiers returned home.

Describes the arduous and emotionally taxing nature of the experience.

6

Den tunge atmosfære i forhandlingsrummet indikerede, at enighed var langt væk.

The heavy atmosphere in the negotiation room indicated that agreement was far off.

Describes a palpable tension and seriousness in the air.

7

Han følte sig som en marionet, hvis tråde blev holdt af en tung hånd.

He felt like a marionette whose strings were held by a heavy hand.

Metaphorical for lack of control and external pressure.

8

Vinters mørke og kulde kunne føles som en tung dyne over landet.

Winter's darkness and cold could feel like a heavy blanket over the country.

Evocative metaphor for the oppressive nature of winter conditions.

1

Den komplekse narrative struktur gav romanen en intellektuelt tung karakter.

The complex narrative structure gave the novel an intellectually heavy character.

Describes the intellectual demandingness of a literary work.

2

Hans argumenter bar præg af en tung evidens, der var svær at anfægte.

His arguments bore the mark of heavy evidence, which was difficult to contest.

Refers to the substantial and convincing nature of supporting evidence.

3

Den tunge arv af kolonialisme fortsætter med at påvirke de postkoloniale samfund.

The heavy legacy of colonialism continues to affect post-colonial societies.

Describes the profound and enduring negative consequences of historical events.

4

At navigere i det politiske landskab krævede en forståelse for de tunge kræfter, der var på spil.

Navigating the political landscape required an understanding of the heavy forces at play.

Refers to powerful, often unseen, influences shaping events.

5

Hun oplevede en tung apati, der syntes at fortære enhver gnist af optimisme.

She experienced a heavy apathy that seemed to consume any spark of optimism.

Describes an overwhelming and debilitating emotional state.

6

Den tunge, symbolske vægt i hans poesi krævede en dyb fortolkning.

The heavy, symbolic weight in his poetry demanded a deep interpretation.

Describes the density of meaning and symbolism in artistic expression.

7

De tunge skyer varslede om en uundgåelig storm, både metaforisk og bogstaveligt.

The heavy clouds foreshadowed an inevitable storm, both metaphorically and literally.

Dual use of metaphor and literal description, emphasizing impending doom.

8

Hans fortid kastede en tung skygge over hans nutidige relationer.

His past cast a heavy shadow over his current relationships.

Describes the pervasive and negative influence of past experiences.

Häufige Kollokationen

tung sten
tung kuffert
tung pakke
tung bog
tung metal
tung trafik
tung dag
tung beslutning
tung stemning
tunge tanker

Häufige Phrasen

Det er tungt.

— It is heavy. This is a very direct and common statement about an object's weight.

Kan du hjælpe mig med denne kasse? Det er tungt.

at føle sig tung

— To feel heavy or sluggish, often due to fatigue, illness, or after a large meal.

Efter den store middag følte jeg mig tung i hele kroppen.

med tungt hjerte

— With a heavy heart; reluctantly or sadly.

Med tungt hjerte måtte han forlade sit hjemland.

en tung sag

— A difficult or serious matter; a complex issue.

Det er en tung sag at håndtere, men vi må gøre vores bedste.

tunge tårer

— Heavy tears; tears shed due to deep sadness or emotion.

Hun græd tunge tårer, da hun hørte nyheden.

en tung arv

— A heavy legacy; the lasting and often burdensome consequences of past actions or history.

Landet kæmper stadig med den tunge arv fra krigen.

tung trafik

— Heavy traffic; a large volume of vehicles causing congestion and slow movement.

Vi blev forsinket på grund af tung trafik.

tung medicin

— Strong medicine; medication that is potent or has significant side effects.

Lægen ordinerede en tung medicin til hans tilstand.

tung søvn

— Deep sleep; a heavy, sound sleep from which it is difficult to wake.

Efter den lange rejse faldt han i tung søvn med det samme.

tung industri

— Heavy industry; industries that involve large-scale production of basic goods, often using heavy machinery.

Byen er kendt for sin tunge industri.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"med tungt hjerte"

— This idiom means to do something with great reluctance, sadness, or regret. It's used when a decision or action is emotionally difficult.

Han måtte sælge sit barndomshjem med tungt hjerte.

Neutral
"en tung sten om halsen"

— This metaphor describes something that is a significant burden or hindrance, preventing progress or causing constant difficulty. It's like carrying a heavy stone tied around your neck.

Den store gæld er en tung sten om halsen på virksomheden.

Neutral/Figurative
"at føle sig tung"

— To feel heavy or sluggish. This can be physical (after eating too much, being tired) or emotional (feeling down, sad, or burdened).

Efter den store frokost følte jeg mig tung og ville bare sove.

Neutral
"en tung arv"

— A difficult or burdensome legacy from the past, such as historical injustices, societal problems, or ingrained traditions that are hard to overcome.

Mange lande kæmper med den tunge arv fra kolonitiden.

Formal/Figurative
"en tung sag"

— A serious, difficult, or complex issue or matter that requires careful handling and consideration.

At afgøre skyldsspørgsmålet i denne retssag er en meget tung sag.

Neutral/Formal
"tunge tårer"

— Tears shed due to deep sorrow or intense emotion. It emphasizes the depth and weight of the sadness being experienced.

Da hun hørte om tabet, græd hun tunge tårer.

Neutral/Emotional
"tunge tanker"

— Worries, sad thoughts, or serious reflections that weigh on one's mind.

Han sad alene med sine tunge tanker om fremtiden.

Neutral/Emotional
"at have tunge øjne"

— To have heavy eyelids, indicating extreme tiredness or sleepiness.

Efter den lange nattevagt havde han tunge øjne.

Neutral
"en tung dyne"

— Used metaphorically to describe something that is oppressive, stifling, or weighs down on something else, like a heavy blanket.

Den økonomiske krise lagde en tung dyne over hele branchen.

Figurative
"en tung straf"

— A severe or heavy punishment.

Dommeren idømte ham en tung straf for forbrydelsen.

Formal

Wortfamilie

Substantive

vægt weight

Adjektive

tung heavy
let light

Verwandt

tyngde gravity, weightiness, gravitas
tyngdekraft gravitational force
overvægtig overweight
undervægtig underweight
vægtløs weightless

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Imagine a big, round TANGERINE that is incredibly heavy. You can barely lift it. The 'TUNG' sound reminds you of TANGERINE and how heavy it is.

Visuelle Assoziation

Picture a person struggling to carry a very large, heavy boulder. The effort and strain involved visually represent the word 'tung'. Alternatively, imagine a scale heavily tipped to one side.

Word Web

heavy stone burden difficult lift weight strong tired

Herausforderung

Try to describe five different objects in your surroundings using the word 'tung'. For each object, think about why it is 'tung' – is it its actual weight, or is it metaphorically difficult?

Wortherkunft

The Danish word 'tung' originates from Old Norse 'túngr', which itself is derived from Proto-Germanic '*tunguz'. This root is shared across many Germanic languages, indicating a very ancient origin for the concept of 'heavy'.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning was likely 'heavy' in the physical sense, referring to mass and difficulty in moving.

Indo-European > Germanic > North Germanic > Old Norse > Danish

Kultureller Kontext

While 'tung' is a neutral descriptive word, its metaphorical use to describe emotional states like sadness or burden should be used with empathy. Describing someone's situation as 'tung' acknowledges its difficulty without being dismissive.

In English-speaking cultures, 'heavy' carries similar literal and metaphorical meanings. Phrases like 'heavy heart,' 'heavy burden,' and 'heavy traffic' directly parallel the Danish usage of 'tung'. This shared conceptualization can aid English speakers in understanding and using 'tung' effectively.

The concept of 'tung' weight is fundamental in physics and engineering, influencing bridge designs, vehicle capacities, and material science. In literature and art, 'heavy' themes or 'heavy' symbolism are often explored to convey depth, seriousness, or emotional impact. The phrase 'heavy metal' music genre itself uses 'heavy' to describe a powerful, dense, and often aggressive sound, demonstrating the word's application to sensory experiences.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Describing physical objects

  • en tung sten
  • en tung kuffert
  • denne kasse er tung

Describing abstract concepts (difficulty, seriousness)

  • en tung beslutning
  • en tung sag
  • det er en tung dag

Describing emotions or atmosphere

  • tunge tanker
  • tung stemning
  • med tungt hjerte

Describing physical sensations (fatigue)

  • føle sig tung
  • tunge ben
  • tunge øjne

Describing situations (traffic, economy)

  • tung trafik
  • tung økonomi
  • tung industri

Gesprächseinstiege

"Hvad er det tungeste, du nogensinde har løftet?"

"Hvordan føles det, når du har en 'tung dag'?"

"Kan du give et eksempel på en 'tung beslutning', du har skullet tage?"

"Hvad betyder 'tung trafik' for dig?"

"Hvordan ville du beskrive en 'tung stemning'?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Skriv om en gang, hvor du skulle bære noget meget tungt. Hvordan føltes det?

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