When we say something is fri in Danish, it means it is free. Think of it like being able to move around without restrictions. For example, if a bird is fri, it can fly wherever it wants.
When you're at the B1 level in Danish, you can understand and use words like "fri" (free) in many common situations. You'll be able to talk about things being free from cost, or someone being free to do something. You might also encounter it in phrases about having free time. Understanding "fri" helps you discuss availability, choices, and costs in everyday Danish conversations.
fri en 30 segundos
- unrestricted
- at liberty
- gratuitous
§ Mistakes people make with this word
The Danish word 'fri' can be tricky for English speakers because while it often means 'free,' just like in English, it has some specific uses that don't always translate directly. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 'fri' with 'gratis'
This is probably the most common mistake. In English, 'free' can mean both 'not costing money' and 'not confined/restricted.' In Danish, these are distinct. 'Fri' means 'not confined' or 'available/unoccupied.' 'Gratis' means 'not costing money.'
- DEFINITION
- Gratis: not costing money.
Er kaffen gratis? (Is the coffee free of charge?)
Jeg har fri i morgen. (I have tomorrow off / I am free tomorrow.)
§ Mistake 2: Using 'fri' when talking about 'free time'
While you can say 'jeg har fri' to mean 'I have the day off,' directly translating 'free time' as 'fri tid' is less common than 'fritid.' 'Fritid' is a compound word specifically meaning leisure time.
- DEFINITION
- Fritid: leisure time, free time.
Hvad laver du i din fritid? (What do you do in your free time/leisure time?)
While 'fri tid' isn't grammatically wrong, 'fritid' sounds much more natural and is what Danes typically use.
§ Mistake 3: Incorrect prepositions with 'fri'
When talking about being free *from* something, you usually use 'for' or sometimes 'fra' with 'fri.' Don't just default to 'from' as in English.
- Fri for: This is very common when talking about being free *from* something negative, like worries, debt, or obligations.
- Fri fra: Can also be used for being free *from* work or school, indicating a physical separation or release.
Jeg er fri for bekymringer. (I am free from worries.)
Vi er fri fra arbejde kl. 16. (We are free from work at 4 PM.)
§ Mistake 4: Not recognizing 'fri' in compound words
'Fri' appears in many compound words where its meaning as 'free' is maintained but the whole word has a specific meaning. Don't try to separate 'fri' from these compounds.
- Fribillet: Free ticket (ticket that doesn't cost money).
- Friskole: Free school (independent school, often with a particular pedagogical approach, not necessarily free of charge).
- Fripas: Free pass.
Jeg fik en fribillet til koncerten. (I got a free ticket to the concert.)
§ Summary
To avoid common mistakes with 'fri,' always think about the context. Is it about freedom/availability, or about something costing no money? Is it part of a set phrase or a compound word? Danish can be precise, and understanding these nuances will greatly improve your fluency.
§ Understanding 'fri'
Let's talk about the Danish word 'fri'. It's an adjective and it means 'free'. Simple enough, right? But like many words, it has a few nuances depending on how you use it. We'll go through some common ways Danes use 'fri'.
§ Basic meaning of 'fri'
- DEFINITION
- Not under the control of another; able to act or be done as one wishes.
This is the most straightforward use. Think of 'free' as in 'free from restrictions' or 'free to do something'.
Jeg er fri i aften.
- HINT
- I am free tonight. (Meaning: I have no plans, I'm available.)
Han er endelig fri fra arbejde.
- HINT
- He is finally free from work. (Meaning: His workday is over.)
§ 'Fri' for something
You'll also hear 'fri' used to mean 'free of charge' or 'complimentary'. This is where it gets a little different from just being 'free' in the sense of liberty.
Adgang er fri.
- HINT
- Admission is free.
Frokosten er fri.
- HINT
- The lunch is free. (Meaning: It doesn't cost anything.)
§ 'Fri' in compounds
Danish loves compound words, and 'fri' is no exception. You'll see it combined with other words to create new meanings.
- Fritid
- Leisure time / free time
- Fribillet
- Free ticket
- Frihed
- Freedom (the noun form of 'free')
Hvad laver du i din fritid?
- HINT
- What do you do in your free time?
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
While 'fri' covers a lot of ground, sometimes other words are more specific. Let's look at a couple.
- Ledig
- Available, unoccupied, vacant.
Use 'ledig' when something is available or not in use. Think of a vacant seat, an empty apartment, or a person who is currently unemployed.
Er bordet ledigt?
- HINT
- Is the table available/vacant?
Han er ledig lige nu.
- HINT
- He is available right now. (Meaning: not busy, free to talk, or unemployed.)
- Gratis
- Free of charge (only this meaning).
When you *only* mean 'free of charge', 'gratis' is a very clear option. While 'fri' can also mean this, 'gratis' leaves no room for doubt.
Kaffen er gratis.
- HINT
- The coffee is free (of charge).
Du får en gratis prøveperiode.
- HINT
- You get a free trial period.
So, to sum it up: use 'fri' when you mean 'not restricted', 'available' (for people's time), or 'free of charge' (but 'gratis' is more precise for cost). Use 'ledig' for things that are unoccupied or for someone being available for a task/job. And use 'gratis' when you explicitly mean 'no cost'.
How Formal Is It?
"Domstolen afgjorde, at manden var fri for anklagerne."
"Jeg har fri i morgen."
"Er du fri for arbejde i dag?"
"Legetøjet er fri til at lege med."
"Jeg er helt fri for penge sidst på måneden."
Dato curioso
The root is common in many Germanic languages, like 'free' in English and 'frei' in German, all stemming from a Proto-Germanic word meaning 'beloved' or 'not in bondage'.
Guía de pronunciación
- pronouncing with a long 'e' sound, like 'free' in English. The Danish 'i' is shorter.
Gramática que debes saber
When 'fri' means 'free' as in not busy or available, it is often used with a form of 'være' (to be).
Er du fri i aften? (Are you free tonight?)
'Fri' can mean 'free' as in without cost, similar to 'gratis'.
Det er fri adgang. (It is free admission.)
When 'fri' means 'free' as in liberated or independent, it can be used with nouns.
Et frit land. (A free country.)
'Fri' can be used in the neuter form as 'frit'.
Et frit valg. (A free choice.)
When 'fri' refers to someone being released or exempt from something, it is often followed by 'fra' (from).
Han er fri fra arbejde. (He is free from work.)
Ejemplos por nivel
Jeg har fri i morgen.
I am off tomorrow.
Common usage for 'having time off'.
Er sædet frit?
Is the seat free?
Used for 'available' or 'unoccupied'.
Adgang er fri for alle.
Access is free for everyone.
Meaning 'without cost'.
Jeg føler mig fri som en fugl.
I feel as free as a bird.
Expressing a sense of liberty.
Du har frihed til at vælge.
You have freedom to choose.
Related to 'freedom'.
Han er en fri mand nu.
He is a free man now.
Meaning 'not imprisoned'.
Er kaffen gratis?
Is the coffee free?
Use 'gratis' for 'free of charge'.
Kan jeg få en fri prøve?
Can I get a free sample?
Use 'gratis' for 'free of charge'.
Jeg har fri i morgen, så vi kan mødes.
I have free tomorrow, so we can meet.
Er denne plads fri, eller sidder der nogen her?
Is this seat free, or is someone sitting here?
Adgang er fri for alle studerende.
Access is free for all students.
Fuglen fløj fri ud af buret.
The bird flew free out of the cage.
Vi lever i et frit land.
We live in a free country.
Børnene leger frit i haven.
The children are playing freely in the garden.
Han føler sig fri efter eksamen.
He feels free after the exam.
Kan du give mig en fri hånd med projektet?
Can you give me a free hand with the project?
Efter en lang uge med intense forhandlinger, følte direktøren sig endelig fri til at tage en velfortjent pause.
After a long week of intense negotiations, the director finally felt free to take a well-deserved break.
Kunstneren insisterede på at være fri i sit udtryk, uanset hvad kritikerne måtte mene om hans værker.
The artist insisted on being free in his expression, regardless of what the critics might think of his works.
Selvom hun havde mange forpligtelser, kæmpede hun for at finde øjeblikke, hvor hun kunne føle sig fri fra ansvar og forventninger.
Although she had many obligations, she fought to find moments where she could feel free from responsibility and expectations.
Samfundet bør stræbe efter at sikre, at alle borgere er fri til at forfølge deres drømme og ambitioner uden unødige hindringer.
Society should strive to ensure that all citizens are free to pursue their dreams and ambitions without undue obstacles.
Den gamle filosof mente, at sand frihed kun kunne opnås gennem selvindsigt og løsrivelse fra materielle bindinger.
The old philosopher believed that true freedom could only be achieved through self-insight and detachment from material ties.
Han havde altid haft en drøm om at rejse jorden rundt, helt fri fra tidsplaner og faste ruter.
He had always dreamed of traveling the world, completely free from schedules and fixed routes.
Efter at have overvundet sin sygdom følte hun sig endelig fri til at leve livet fuldt ud og gribe nye muligheder.
After overcoming her illness, she finally felt free to live life to the fullest and seize new opportunities.
Debatten om ytringsfrihed understreger vigtigheden af, at individer er fri til at udtrykke deres meninger uden frygt for repressalier.
The debate on freedom of speech underscores the importance of individuals being free to express their opinions without fear of reprisal.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
Jeg er fri i morgen.
I am free tomorrow.
Er du fri på lørdag?
Are you free on Saturday?
Du er fri til at gøre, hvad du vil.
You are free to do what you want.
Jeg har fri i dag.
I have the day off today. (Literally: I have free today.)
Indgangen er fri.
Entry is free.
Fuglen fløj fri.
The bird flew free.
Han føler sig fri.
He feels free.
Du kan spise frit fra menuen.
You can eat freely from the menu.
Vi lever i et frit land.
We live in a free country.
Det er fri for gluten.
It is gluten-free.
Patrones gramaticales
Modismos y expresiones
"at have fri"
to have time off (from work/school)
Jeg har fri i morgen, så jeg vil sove længe. (I have time off tomorrow, so I will sleep in.)
neutral"at give fri"
to give time off
Min chef gav mig fri i næste uge. (My boss gave me time off next week.)
neutral"at stille noget frit til rådighed"
to make something freely available
Biblioteket stiller bøger frit til rådighed for alle. (The library makes books freely available to everyone.)
neutral"at gå fri"
to get off scot-free / to escape punishment
Tyven gik fri på grund af manglende beviser. (The thief got off scot-free due to lack of evidence.)
neutral"at tale frit fra leveren"
to speak one's mind freely / to speak frankly
Han talte frit fra leveren om sin utilfredshed. (He spoke his mind freely about his dissatisfaction.)
informal"at have frie hænder"
to have a free hand / to have complete freedom to act
Projektlederen fik frie hænder til at organisere holdet. (The project manager was given a free hand to organize the team.)
neutral"at trække vejret frit"
to breathe freely (often figuratively, meaning to feel relieved)
Efter eksamen kunne jeg endelig trække vejret frit. (After the exam, I could finally breathe freely.)
neutral"at give en fri pas"
to give a free pass / to excuse someone from something
Læreren gav ham en fri pas til at aflevere opgaven senere. (The teacher gave him a free pass to hand in the assignment later.)
neutral"at være fri for noget"
to be free of something / to be without something
Jeg er glad for at være fri for forkølelsen. (I'm glad to be free of the cold.)
neutral"en fri sjæl"
a free spirit
Hun har altid været en fri sjæl, der elsker at rejse. (She has always been a free spirit who loves to travel.)
neutralPatrones de oraciones
Jeg er fri.
Jeg er fri i morgen.
Er du fri?
Er du fri på søndag?
[Nomen] er fri.
Adgangen er fri.
[Nomen] + verbum + fri.
Fuglen flyver fri.
[Pronomen] + verbum + fri + [tid/sted].
Vi er fri efter arbejde.
At være fri fra [noget].
Han er fri fra ansvar.
[Nomen] som er fri.
En plads, der er fri.
Føle sig fri.
Jeg føler mig fri, når jeg løber.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Cómo usarlo
Fri means 'free' in the sense of not being occupied, not restrained, or without cost. It can be used for people, time, and abstract concepts.
When referring to something being 'free of charge,' you often use 'gratis' or 'gratis og kvit.' However, 'fri' can also imply something is free, such as 'fri adgang' (free access).
A common mistake is confusing 'fri' with 'gratis.' While 'fri' can sometimes imply no cost, 'gratis' specifically means 'free of charge.'
For example, you would say 'kaffen er gratis' (the coffee is free) rather than 'kaffen er fri' unless you mean the coffee is not restricted.
Another mistake is using 'fri' when you mean 'available' in a broader sense. For example, if you want to say a product is available, you would use 'tilgængelig' rather than 'fri.'
Consejos
Basic Meaning of 'Fri'
The most common meaning of fri is 'free', similar to English. Think of being free from obligations or being free to do something.
Opposite of 'Fri'
The opposite of fri is often optaget (busy, occupied) or fanget (caught, trapped). Understanding opposites helps solidify meaning.
'Fri' in Phrases: Time Off
You'll often hear fri in phrases related to time off, like at have fri (to have time off/be off work) or en fridag (a day off). This is a very common use.
'Fri' in Phrases: Free of Charge
When something is gratis, it means 'free of charge'. While fri can sometimes imply this, gratis is more specific for cost. For example, fri adgang means 'free access'.
Pronunciation Practice
Practice pronouncing fri correctly. The 'r' sound in Danish can be tricky for English speakers. Listen to native speakers and try to imitate.
Using 'Fri' with Verbs
You can use fri with verbs to express freedom, such as at føle sig fri (to feel free) or at være fri til at gøre noget (to be free to do something).
Don't Confuse with 'Frie'
Be careful not to confuse fri (adjective, singular) with frie (adjective, plural). They sound similar but have different grammatical functions.
Danish Work-Life Balance
The concept of being fri, especially regarding time off, is highly valued in Danish culture. Danes prioritize work-life balance and having fridage (days off).
Sentence Examples for Practice
Create your own sentences using fri. For example: Jeg er fri i weekenden. (I am free on the weekend.) or Du er fri til at vælge. (You are free to choose.)
Origen de la palabra
Old Norse 'frí(r)'
Significado original: free, exempt, independent
North GermanicContexto cultural
Danes highly value personal freedom and independence, which is reflected in their social structures and laws. 'Fri' can describe a wide range of freedoms, from political liberty to being free from work or obligations. The concept of 'frihed' (freedom) is a cornerstone of Danish society and is often discussed in relation to individual rights and social welfare.
Ponte a prueba 60 preguntas
Er din plads ___?
Here, 'fri' means 'available' or 'vacant', referring to a seat or spot.
Jeg er ___ i weekenden.
'Fri' in this context means 'off work' or 'free from obligations'.
Kaffen er ___, tag hvad du vil.
When something is 'fri', it can mean it's free of charge.
Kan jeg få en ___ kop kaffe?
Asking for a 'fri kop kaffe' implies a free refill or a complimentary cup.
Jeg har ___ tid i morgen.
'Fri tid' means free time or leisure time.
Er du helt ___ for arbejde i dag?
To be 'fri for arbejde' means to be free from work or done with work for the day.
Listen for 'free'.
Listen for 'Are you free today?'.
Listen for 'He is free now'.
Read this aloud:
Jeg er fri.
Focus: fri (free)
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Er du fri?
Focus: Er du (Are you)
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Vi er fri.
Focus: Vi (We)
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Er din weekend ___ nu?
Here, 'fri' means 'free' in the sense of having no plans or obligations.
Er pladsen her ___?
In this context, 'fri' means 'available' or 'not occupied'.
Jeg vil gerne være ___ til at vælge.
'Fri til at vælge' means 'free to choose'.
Biblioteket har ___ adgang for alle.
'Fri adgang' means 'free access', implying no cost or restrictions.
Du er ___ til at gå nu.
'Fri til at gå' means 'free to go', indicating permission or no obligation to stay.
Er indgangen ___?
Here, 'fri' means 'free of charge'. While 'gratis' also means free of charge, 'fri' is used in phrases like 'fri entré' (free entry).
This sentence means 'The coffee is free.' In Danish, the verb 'er' (is) comes after the subject 'kaffen' (the coffee). 'Gratis' (free of charge) describes the coffee.
This means 'Do you have time for me?' In a question, the verb often comes first. 'Har' (have) is the verb, 'du' (you) is the subject, and 'tid' (time) is the object. 'Til mig' means 'for me'.
This translates to 'I am free tonight.' 'Jeg' (I) is the subject, 'er' (am) is the verb, and 'fri' (free) is the adjective. 'I aften' means 'tonight'.
Vælg den sætning, hvor 'fri' bruges korrekt i betydningen 'ikke optaget'.
Her betyder 'fri' at man ikke skal arbejde eller har pligter.
Hvilket ord er det modsatte af 'fri' i betydningen 'ikke fanget'?
'Fanget' betyder at være holdt tilbage, hvilket er det modsatte af at være fri.
Vælg den sætning, hvor 'fri' betyder 'gratis'.
I denne sætning betyder 'fri' at der ikke skal betales for indgangen.
Sætningen 'Jeg har fri i weekenden' betyder, at jeg skal arbejde hele weekenden.
'Jeg har fri' betyder, at man ikke skal arbejde, altså det modsatte af at arbejde.
Ordet 'fri' kan bruges til at beskrive, at noget ikke koster penge.
Ja, 'fri' kan betyde 'gratis', som i 'fri adgang'.
Hvis en person er 'fri', betyder det altid, at de er ledige til et stævnemøde.
'Fri' kan have mange betydninger, herunder ikke optaget eller ikke bundet, men det betyder ikke nødvendigvis 'single' eller ledig til et stævnemøde.
This sentence means 'She is free on Saturday.' The word order is subject-verb-adjective-prepositional phrase.
This is a question: 'Are you free tonight?' In Danish questions, the verb often comes before the subject.
This sentence means 'They have a free day tomorrow.' 'Fri' acts as an adjective describing 'dag' (day).
The speaker is looking forward to some time off.
Someone is asking about availability for an evening out.
The person is relieved after completing something.
Read this aloud:
Kan jeg få fri i næste uge?
Focus: fri, næste uge
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Jeg har fri i dag, så jeg skal slappe af.
Focus: fri, slappe af
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Fuglen fløj frit ud af buret.
Focus: frit, buret
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Efter den lange og anstrengende rejse følte hun sig endelig ___ forpligtelser.
'Fri for' means free from something, which fits the context of being free from obligations after a journey. 'Fri fra' is also possible but less common in this exact phrasing.
Kunstneren insisterede på at have ___ hænder under hele skabelsesprocessen for at sikre fuldstændig autenticitet.
In this context, 'fri' means having complete freedom or unrestricted control, often used with 'hænder' (hands) to imply no limitations.
Selvom alle restriktioner var ophævet, var byen stadig ikke helt ___ for efterdønningerne af den økonomiske krise.
'Fri for' means free from, implying that the city was not yet completely unaffected by the crisis's aftermath.
Han følte sig endelig ___ af det tunge ansvar, der havde tynget ham i årevis.
'Fri af' is used to express being relieved or unburdened from something, which aligns with the heavy responsibility mentioned.
For at opnå en dybere forståelse skal man have en ___ adgang til alle relevante kilder.
'Fri adgang' means free access, implying unrestricted availability to sources. 'Frit' would be an adverb, and 'frie' is plural.
Hun stræbte efter et liv, hvor hun var ___ for konventionelle normer og sociale forventninger.
'Fri for' means free from, indicating a desire to be unconstrained by conventional norms and social expectations.
Listen for how 'fri adgang' is used in the context of a democratic society.
Pay attention to the speaker's anticipation of a 'fri weekend' after a busy week.
Notice the feeling of liberation associated with 'endelig fri' after completing exams.
Read this aloud:
At være fri fra gæld er en stor lettelse for mange mennesker.
Focus: fri
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Han tog sig den frihed at udtrykke sin mening, selvom det var upopulært.
Focus: frihed
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Børn skal have mulighed for at lege frit uden for mange restriktioner.
Focus: frit
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'It is free access for everyone.' The word 'fri' acts as an adjective modifying 'adgang' (access).
This translates to 'Important to feel free.' 'Fri' is used here to describe a state of being.
This means 'He wanted a life where he had the freedom to choose.' 'Frihed' is the noun form of 'fri'.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Remember 'fri' can mean not only 'free' as in liberty, but also 'free' as in no cost.
- unrestricted
- at liberty
- gratuitous
Basic Meaning of 'Fri'
The most common meaning of fri is 'free', similar to English. Think of being free from obligations or being free to do something.
Context is Key
Like many words, the exact nuance of fri depends on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words in Danish sentences to fully grasp its meaning.
Opposite of 'Fri'
The opposite of fri is often optaget (busy, occupied) or fanget (caught, trapped). Understanding opposites helps solidify meaning.
'Fri' in Phrases: Time Off
You'll often hear fri in phrases related to time off, like at have fri (to have time off/be off work) or en fridag (a day off). This is a very common use.
Contenido relacionado
Aprende en contexto
Gramática relacionada
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
afbryde
B1To stop something from continuing
afbøje
B2To deflect or turn aside.
afgørende
B1decisive or crucial
afholde
B2to hold or host an event, or to refrain from
afhængig
B1Determined or decided by something else
afkorte
B2To shorten or reduce in length.
afmærke
B2To mark or indicate a position.
afrunde
B2To conclude or make complete.
afslutte
B1to bring to an end
afsløre
B2to make something secret known
