Signification
Expressing need
Contexte culturel
In Danish workplaces, saying 'Jeg har brug for...' is seen as professional and proactive. It helps colleagues understand your workflow. The concept of 'Hygge' often involves 'needing' specific things to feel comfortable, which is a common topic of conversation. Danes are generally direct. If they need something, they ask for it without much 'small talk' or excessive politeness markers. In Greenlandic Danish, the phrase is used similarly, but often in the context of nature and survival requirements.
The 'For' Rule
Always remember the 'for'. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a Dane.
Don't over-conjugate
Only 'have' changes. 'Brug' and 'for' are your stable anchors.
Signification
Expressing need
The 'For' Rule
Always remember the 'for'. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete to a Dane.
Don't over-conjugate
Only 'have' changes. 'Brug' and 'for' are your stable anchors.
Sound more native
Use 'Jeg har brug for at...' followed by a verb to express actions you need to take.
Be Direct
Don't be afraid to use this phrase. It's not considered rude in Denmark to state your needs clearly.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to say 'I need a coffee'.
Jeg ___ ___ ___ en kop kaffe.
The full phrase is 'har brug for'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'Do you need help?'
You must include 'for' and use the noun 'brug' without an 'e'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Er du træt? B: Ja, jeg ___ ___ ___ at sove.
When expressing a need to do something (verb), 'har brug for at' is the most natural choice here.
Match the need to the situation.
Match: 1. Tørstig, 2. Sulten, 3. Træt
Thirsty needs water, hungry needs food, tired needs sleep.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Need vs. Want
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg ___ ___ ___ en kop kaffe.
The full phrase is 'har brug for'.
How do you say 'Do you need help?'
You must include 'for' and use the noun 'brug' without an 'e'.
A: Er du træt? B: Ja, jeg ___ ___ ___ at sove.
When expressing a need to do something (verb), 'har brug for at' is the most natural choice here.
Match: 1. Tørstig, 2. Sulten, 3. Træt
Thirsty needs water, hungry needs food, tired needs sleep.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, you usually need to specify what you need. If the context is clear, you can say 'Jeg har brug for det' (I need it).
Not necessarily. 'Have brug for' is more common in spoken Danish for positive needs. 'Behøve' is great for 'You don't need to'.
Use the past tense of 'have': 'Jeg havde brug for'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes! 'Jeg har brug for dig' (I need you) is very common.
'Brug for' is for needing something. 'Brug til' is for the function of something (e.g., 'What is this used for?').
Yes, 'Jeg har brug for at gå', but 'Jeg skal gå' is more common.
No, it is an uncountable noun in this phrase. Always 'brug'.
'Mangler' means something is missing. 'Have brug for' means you require it.
Jeg har ikke brug for noget.
Expressions liées
at have lyst til
similarto want / to feel like
at mangle
similarto lack
at behøve
synonymto need
at trænge til
specialized formto badly need / crave
at gøre brug af
builds onto make use of
