When talking about someone who is incredibly skilled or has mastered a craft, the Danish word mester is often used. It can refer to someone who is a master craftsman, like a carpenter (tømmermester), or a champion in a sport. It's a word that conveys a high level of expertise and achievement.
For instance, if you're praising a chef for their amazing cooking, you might say they are a master chef – en mesterkok. Or, in a competitive context, the winner of a tournament is the mester. It's a versatile word for recognizing excellence.
§ Danish Word: mester
- Definition
- a master or champion
The Danish word "mester" is a versatile noun. It can mean a master in a craft or skill, or a champion in a competition. It's often used to show high regard for someone's ability. It's a common word, so knowing how to use it will help you sound more natural in Danish.
§ How to use it in a sentence – grammar, prepositions
"Mester" is a common noun, so it follows the usual rules for Danish nouns. Remember that Danish nouns have grammatical gender (common or neuter) and take definite articles. "Mester" is a common gender noun (en-word).
Here’s how to use "mester" in different contexts:
- As a general term for a skilled person: When you want to say someone is really good at something, you can call them a "mester."
Han er en mester i skak.
Translation hint: He is a master in chess.
Hun er en mester i at bage kager.
Translation hint: She is a master at baking cakes.
- As a champion in sports or competitions: When someone wins a championship, they are often called a "mester."
Holdet blev danmarksmester i håndbold.
Translation hint: The team became Danish champions in handball.
Hun er den regerende verdensmester i svømning.
Translation hint: She is the reigning world champion in swimming.
- In vocational titles: "Mester" can also be part of a formal title for a master craftsman. This is less about being a champion and more about having achieved a high level of qualification in a trade.
Han er en dygtig tømrermester.
Translation hint: He is a skilled master carpenter.
Den lokale bagermester laver det bedste rugbrød.
Translation hint: The local master baker makes the best rye bread.
"Mester" can also be used somewhat informally, similar to how you might say "boss" or "chief" to someone you respect or to get their attention, though this usage is less common in everyday conversation for learners and more context-dependent.
Remember, Danish grammar is pretty consistent, but practice is key. Try forming your own sentences using "mester" to really get a feel for it.
§ Understanding 'Mester'
- DEFINITION
- A master or champion.
Han er en sand mester
Holdet blev mester
§ Similar words and when to use 'mester'
- Ekspert: This translates directly to 'expert'. You would use 'ekspert' when someone has deep knowledge or skill in a specific area, often through study or long experience. While a 'mester' can also be an 'ekspert', 'ekspert' emphasizes knowledge, whereas 'mester' emphasizes mastery and often a competitive edge or a craft.
Hun er en ekspert
- Vinder: This simply means 'winner'. A 'vinder' is the one who wins a competition. A 'mester' can be a 'vinder', but 'mester' implies a more sustained or significant achievement, often involving a title or a recognised high level of skill over time. A 'vinder' could be a one-time thing.
Han var vinderen
- Champion: Yes, Danish also uses 'champion', often borrowed directly from English, especially in sports contexts. It's quite similar to 'mester' when referring to a competitive winner. However, 'mester' feels a bit more traditional and can also refer to a master craftsman, which 'champion' typically doesn't.
Hun er en olympisk mester/champion.
§ When to use 'mester'
- High skill or craftsmanship: e.g., en møbelmester (a master furniture maker), en slagtermester (a master butcher). This is where 'mester' truly shines and often has a professional title associated with it.
- Dominance in a competition over time: e.g., verdensmester (world champion), danmarksmester (Danish champion). It implies not just winning one event, but holding a title.
- Figurative mastery: Someone who is incredibly good at something, even if it's not a formal profession or competition.
How Formal Is It?
"Han blev udnævnt til Mester i sit håndværk."
"Hun er en sand mester i at løse problemer."
"Du er en mester til at bage!"
"Min far er en mesterkok i køkkenet."
"Han er en ren mester til at snyde i kort."
Guía de pronunciación
- pronouncing the 'e' like in 'me'
- not rolling the 'r' slightly (if applicable to the speaker's native tongue)
Se confunde a menudo con
While 'lærer' means 'teacher' or 'to learn', 'mester' specifically implies a high level of skill or achievement, often in a craft or sport.
'Vinder' means 'winner', which is similar to 'mester' when it refers to a 'champion'. However, 'mester' can also refer to a highly skilled professional, not just someone who has won a competition.
'Ekspert' means 'expert'. An 'ekspert' is knowledgeable, but a 'mester' often implies a practical skill and a recognized achievement or title.
Modismos y expresiones
"Mesterkok"
Master chef
Min mor er en mesterkok. (My mother is a master chef.)
neutral"Mestertyv"
Master thief
Han er kendt som en mestertyv. (He is known as a master thief.)
neutral"Mesterværk"
Masterpiece
Dette maleri er et mesterværk. (This painting is a masterpiece.)
neutral"At være herre over noget"
To be a master of something
Han er herre over sit fag. (He is a master of his craft.)
neutral"At møde sin overmand"
To meet one's match (literally 'to meet one's master')
Endelig mødte han sin overmand. (He finally met his match.)
neutral"En mester i sit fag"
A master in one's field
Min far er en mester i sit fag som tømrer. (My father is a master in his field as a carpenter.)
neutral"At være en sand mester"
To be a true master
Han er en sand mester i skak. (He is a true master at chess.)
neutral"En mesters hånd"
A master's hand (indicating skill)
Man kan se en mesters hånd i dette arbejde. (One can see a master's hand in this work.)
neutral"At slå mesteren"
To beat the master/champion
Det lykkedes ham at slå mesteren. (He managed to beat the champion.)
neutral"Mesterlære"
Apprenticeship (literally 'master's teaching')
Han er i mesterlære som bager. (He is in an apprenticeship as a baker.)
neutralFácil de confundir
Often confused with 'master' in English, but the usage in Danish can be more specific, referring to a skilled craftsman or a champion in a sport.
'Mester' focuses on skill or achievement within a specific domain, while 'master' in English can have broader meanings (e.g., master's degree, master of a ship).
Han er en mester i skak. (He is a chess master.)
This is the verb form of 'mester' and means 'to master' or 'to become proficient in'. Learners might use 'lære' (to learn) instead, but 'mestre' implies a higher level of proficiency.
'At mestre' emphasizes achieving mastery, while 'at lære' is simply the process of learning.
Hun ønsker at mestre det danske sprog. (She wants to master the Danish language.)
While it directly translates to 'masterpiece', learners might not immediately connect it to 'mester'.
This word combines 'mester' (master) and 'værk' (work), literally a 'master's work'.
Mona Lisa er et mesterværk. (Mona Lisa is a masterpiece.)
This means 'championship' or 'mastery'. It can be confusing if learners only associate 'mester' with a person.
Refers to the competition or the state of being a master, not the individual master.
De vandt danmarksmesterskabet i fodbold. (They won the Danish championship in football.)
Means 'apprenticeship', literally 'master learning'. It's a specific term that can be hard to guess from 'mester' alone.
Refers to the system of learning a trade from a master, not just general learning.
Han er i mesterlære som tømrer. (He is in apprenticeship as a carpenter.)
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Cómo usarlo
The Danish word "mester" directly translates to "master" or "champion" in English. It can refer to someone highly skilled in a particular field, like a craft or an art, or a winner in a competition. Examples:
- Han er en sand mester i skak. (He is a true master at chess.)
- Hun vandt guld og blev verdensmester. (She won gold and became world champion.)
- En bagermester laver lækkert brød. (A master baker makes delicious bread.)
A common mistake might be to confuse "mester" with other words that imply skill but not necessarily mastery or championship, such as "ekspert" (expert) or "dygtig person" (skilled person). While there can be overlap, "mester" carries a stronger connotation of being at the very top of one's game or having achieved a top title. Incorrect Usage Example:
- Han er en mester til at cykle. (He is a master at cycling.) - *While not strictly wrong, 'dygtig' or 'god' might be more natural unless he's a professional racer or literal champion.*
- Han er god til at cykle. (He is good at cycling.)
- Han er en dygtig cykelrytter. (He is a skilled cyclist.)
Consejos
Master as a person
In Danish, 'mester' often refers to someone who is a master of a craft or skill, like a 'skræddermester' (tailor master) or 'møbelmester' (furniture master). It implies high proficiency.
Master in competitions
'Mester' can also mean a champion or winner in sports or other competitions. For example, 'verdensmester' means world champion.
Plural of mester
The plural of 'mester' is 'mestre'. Note the vowel change from 'e' to 'e' and the addition of 're' to the end. Example: 'De er alle mestre i deres fag.' (They are all masters in their field.)
Common compounds with mester
You'll often see 'mester' as part of compound words. Besides 'verdensmester', you might hear 'stormester' (grandmaster) or 'mesterværk' (masterpiece).
Mester and being good at something
You can use 'mester' to describe someone who is exceptionally good at something. 'Han er en mester i at bage brød.' (He is a master at baking bread.)
Not always formal
While it can be formal, 'mester' can also be used in a more casual, appreciative way. 'Du er en mester til at finde parkeringspladser!' (You're a master at finding parking spots!)
Verbs related to mester
The verb 'mestre' means 'to master' or 'to be proficient in'. 'Jeg skal mestre dette sprog.' (I need to master this language.)
Mester in old professions
Historically, 'mester' was a title for skilled craftsmen who had completed their apprenticeship and could run their own workshop. This meaning still lingers, especially in older contexts.
Context is key
Always consider the context to understand if 'mester' refers to a skilled individual or a competition champion. The surrounding words will usually make it clear.
Mester vs. lærer
Don't confuse 'mester' (master/champion) with 'lærer' (teacher). While a mester is highly skilled, a lærer is specifically focused on teaching. A mester might teach, but it's not their primary definition.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIn Danish, 'mester' is a noun that means a master or a champion.
The pronunciation of 'mester' is roughly 'meh-ster'. The 'e' is short, like in 'bed'.
Generally, 'mester' is used for people who are highly skilled or achieve a high level of success. It's less common to use it for inanimate objects.
Yes, 'mester' is a fairly common word, especially when talking about professions (like a master craftsman) or in sports.
You might hear 'mesterskab' (championship) or 'mesterværk' (masterpiece), which are related and stem from 'mester'.
You could say: 'Han er en rigtig mester i at bage brød.' (He is a real master at baking bread.)
Yes, 'mester' almost always implies a high level of skill, expertise, or being the best in a particular field.
No, 'mester' is a common gender noun in Danish, so it's used for both male and female masters/champions.
Yes, it can be used informally, for example, to describe someone who is exceptionally good at something in a casual conversation.
'Mester' is considered a CEFR B1 level word, meaning it's useful for intermediate learners.
Ponte a prueba 48 preguntas
Hvilket ord betyder 'master' eller 'champion'?
'Mester' er det danske ord for en 'master' eller 'champion'.
Han er en ______ i skak.
I denne sætning betyder 'mester' en person, der er meget god til skak.
Hvem er maleriets ______?
Her henviser 'mester' til kunstneren, der har lavet maleriet.
Ordet 'mester' kan bruges om en, der er meget dygtig til noget.
Ja, 'mester' bruges ofte om en, der er ekspert eller champion inden for et område.
En 'mester' er altid en person, der vinder konkurrencer.
Ikke altid. 'Mester' kan også referere til en person med stor færdighed eller viden, selvom de ikke deltager i konkurrencer.
Man kan kalde en dygtig håndværker for en 'mester'.
Ja, 'mester' bruges ofte i faglige sammenhænge om en person, der har mestret sit håndværk.
Write a short sentence using 'mester' to describe someone who is good at something.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Han er en mester i skak. (He is a master at chess.)
Imagine your friend is very good at cooking. How would you describe them using 'mester'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min ven er en mesterkok. (My friend is a master chef.)
You just won a game! How would you say 'I am the champion!' in Danish using 'mester'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg er mesteren! (I am the champion!)
Hvad betyder det, at Peter er en 'mester'?
Read this passage:
Peter elsker at spille fodbold. Han er altid den bedste på holdet. Alle siger, at han er en sand mester.
Hvad betyder det, at Peter er en 'mester'?
Passagen siger, at Peter er 'altid den bedste på holdet', hvilket betyder han er god. 'Mester' betyder en, der er god til noget.
Passagen siger, at Peter er 'altid den bedste på holdet', hvilket betyder han er god. 'Mester' betyder en, der er god til noget.
Hvad laver vennen, som hun er en 'mester' i?
Read this passage:
Jeg har en ven, der er en mester i at bage kager. Hendes kager er altid de bedste, og alle elsker dem.
Hvad laver vennen, som hun er en 'mester' i?
Sætningen siger 'en mester i at bage kager', så det er det, hun er god til.
Sætningen siger 'en mester i at bage kager', så det er det, hun er god til.
Hvilken hobby er lillebroren god til?
Read this passage:
Min lillebror er en mester i at bygge LEGO. Han kan bygge store slotte og biler.
Hvilken hobby er lillebroren god til?
Teksten siger 'en mester i at bygge LEGO', hvilket indikerer hans hobby.
Teksten siger 'en mester i at bygge LEGO', hvilket indikerer hans hobby.
Han er en rigtig tennis___. Han vinder altid.
Context indicates someone who always wins, suggesting 'champion' or 'master'.
Min far er en dygtig kok og en ___ i køkkenet.
The sentence describes someone as 'dygtig' (skilled) in the kitchen, implying 'master'.
Hvem er den regerende ___ i skak?
'Regerende' (reigning) suggests a current champion.
Hun er en sand ___ i at løse krydsord.
A 'true master' fits the context of someone very good at solving crosswords.
Det kræver års træning at blive en ___ i et håndværk.
To become a 'master' in a craft requires many years of training.
Han er en ___ til at fortælle historier.
A 'master' storyteller fits the context of someone excellent at telling stories.
Imagine you are talking about someone who is really good at their job. Write a short Danish sentence using 'mester' to describe them.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Han er en mester i sit fag. (He is a master of his craft.)
You want to say that someone is a champion in a sport. Write a simple Danish sentence using 'mester'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hun er en mester i tennis. (She is a champion in tennis.)
Write a Danish sentence where you are asking if someone is a master of something, perhaps jokingly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Er du en mesterkok? (Are you a master chef?)
Hvad betyder 'mester' i denne tekst?
Read this passage:
Min far er en dygtig håndværker. Han har bygget mange huse. Alle siger, at han er en sand mester i sit arbejde.
Hvad betyder 'mester' i denne tekst?
The passage describes the father as a skilled craftsman who built many houses and is considered a 'true master' of his work, indicating proficiency.
The passage describes the father as a skilled craftsman who built many houses and is considered a 'true master' of his work, indicating proficiency.
Hvad vandt Peter, der gør ham til byens 'mester'?
Read this passage:
I går vandt Peter en stor tenniskamp. Nu er han byens mester. Han er meget glad.
Hvad vandt Peter, der gør ham til byens 'mester'?
Peter won a big tennis match and is now the city's 'master', meaning champion in this context.
Peter won a big tennis match and is now the city's 'master', meaning champion in this context.
Hvad er mormoren en 'mester' i?
Read this passage:
Min mormor er en mester i at bage brød. Hendes brød smager altid godt. Jeg elsker at spise det.
Hvad er mormoren en 'mester' i?
The grandmother is described as a 'master' at baking bread, and her bread always tastes good.
The grandmother is described as a 'master' at baking bread, and her bread always tastes good.
He is a master at chess.
She became a master chef.
We need a master to solve the problem.
Read this aloud:
Han er en mester i sit fag.
Focus: mester
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Hun er en sand mester på scenen.
Focus: mester
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Er du en mester i at bage?
Focus: mester
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
He is a master at chess and always wins.
She was crowned champion in swimming after a tough competition.
To master a new language requires time and dedication.
Read this aloud:
Den gamle skomager var en sand mester i sit håndværk.
Focus: mester, håndværk
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Kan du forestille dig at blive verdensmester i din sport?
Focus: verdensmester, forestille
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Han stræber efter at mestre kunsten at spille guitar.
Focus: stræber, mestre, guitar
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence translates to 'He is a master at playing chess.' The word order in Danish is similar to English.
This sentence means 'Her new book demonstrates her mastery in historical fiction.' 'Mesterskab' is the noun form of 'mester', meaning 'mastery'.
This translates to 'It takes years to become a true master of one's craft.' The structure is typical for expressing what something requires.
Han er en sand skak___, der har vundet utallige turneringer.
I denne sammenhæng bruges 'mester' til at beskrive en person, der er exceptionel dygtig i en bestemt færdighed eller sport, i dette tilfælde skak. De andre muligheder passer ikke til konteksten af at vinde utallige turneringer.
Den gamle kunsthåndværker var en ubestridelig ___ inden for træskærerarbejde; hans værker var udsøgte.
Her indikerer 'mester' den højeste grad af ekspertise og håndværk inden for træskærerarbejde, understreget af 'udisputable' og 'udsøgte værker'. De andre muligheder er det modsatte.
Efter årtiers dedikeret praksis blev hun endelig anerkendt som en ___ i sit felt.
Frasen 'efter årtiers dedikeret praksis' peger mod en anerkendelse af enestående dygtighed, hvilket gør 'mester' til det eneste passende valg her.
Hendes evne til at improvisere jazz gjorde hende til en sand ___ i musikkredse.
En 'mester' er nogen, der har opnået fuldkommen beherskelse af en færdighed. At improvisere jazz på et højt niveau indikerer mesterskab.
Verdensmesterskabet er en konkurrence for de bedste; kun den sande ___ vil sejre.
I en verdensmesterskabskontekst er det 'mesteren' – den mest dygtige og erfarne – der forventes at vinde. De andre ord passer ikke til denne kontekst.
Han studerede under en berømt maler, som var en anerkendt ___ af sin tid.
Hvis man studerer under en 'berømt maler', indikerer det, at maleren selv er på et højt niveau, en 'mester', som kan undervise andre.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Master as a person
In Danish, 'mester' often refers to someone who is a master of a craft or skill, like a 'skræddermester' (tailor master) or 'møbelmester' (furniture master). It implies high proficiency.
Master in competitions
'Mester' can also mean a champion or winner in sports or other competitions. For example, 'verdensmester' means world champion.
Plural of mester
The plural of 'mester' is 'mestre'. Note the vowel change from 'e' to 'e' and the addition of 're' to the end. Example: 'De er alle mestre i deres fag.' (They are all masters in their field.)
Common compounds with mester
You'll often see 'mester' as part of compound words. Besides 'verdensmester', you might hear 'stormester' (grandmaster) or 'mesterværk' (masterpiece).
Contenido relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de sports
bordtennis
A1A sport played on a table with paddles
kølle
A2a heavy stick or club
hold
A2team
mål
B1a goal or target
atleter
B1People who are proficient in sports and physical exercise.
udholdenhed
B1The ability to sustain a prolonged effort.
dyste
B2to compete or struggle
løbe
A1to run
fodbold
A1football
slag
A2hit or blow
