A1 adverb Neutre

godt

well

/ɡ̊ʌt/

Exemples

1

Jeg har det godt.

Describes a state of being.

I'm doing well.

2

Han synger godt.

Describes the manner of an action.

He sings well.

3

Det var godt, du kom.

Expresses relief or approval.

It was good that you came.

4

Spis nu din mad, så du bliver stor og stærk, godt?

Seeking confirmation or agreement.

Eat your food now, so you'll grow big and strong, okay?

5

Godt gået!

Expressing commendation or praise.

Well done!

Collocations courantes

godt klaret
godt gået
det går godt
have det godt

Souvent confondu avec

godt vs vel
vel is used in questions and in cases where you are not sure. godt is used in cases where you are sure.

Modèles grammaticaux

jeg har det godt (I am well) godt vejr (good weather) en god bog (a good book)

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

'Godt' functions as an adverb meaning 'well' or an adjective meaning 'good' in its neuter singular form. As an adverb, it can modify verbs (e.g., 'Han synger godt' - He sings well) or adjectives (e.g., 'Det er godt varmt' - It is quite warm). As an adjective, it is used with neuter nouns (e.g., 'Et godt hus' - A good house) or as a predicative adjective with all genders and numbers (e.g., 'Maden er god/godt/gode' - The food is good). Its uninflected form 'god' is used for common gender singular nouns (e.g., 'En god mand' - A good man) and 'gode' for plural nouns of all genders (e.g., 'Gode venner' - Good friends). It's also frequently used in common phrases like 'Godt klaret!' (Well done!) or 'Det er godt nok' (That's good enough). The comparative form is 'bedre' (better) and the superlative is 'bedst' (best).


Erreurs courantes

Danish adjectives change based on the gender and number of the noun they modify, and also if they are used adverbially. 'Godt' is the adverbial form or the neuter singular form. 'God' is used with common gender nouns, and 'gode' is used with plural nouns or when the adjective is definite.

Astuces

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Use in fixed expressions

'Godt' is often used in fixed expressions. For example, 'godt klaret' means 'well done'.
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Distinguish from 'god'

'Godt' is the adverbial form of 'god' (good). While 'god' describes a noun, 'godt' describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
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Placement in sentences

Typically, 'godt' is placed after the verb in a sentence. For instance, 'Han synger godt' translates to 'He sings well'.

Origine du mot

From Old Norse *góðr*, from Proto-Germanic *gōdaz*, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʰedʰ- 'to unite, to be associated, to be suitable'. Cognate with English 'good', German 'gut', Dutch 'goed', Swedish 'god'. The adverbial form 'godt' is a neuter singular form of the adjective used adverbially.

Contexte culturel

In Denmark, 'godt' (well/good) is a ubiquitous word reflecting a generally positive and pragmatic cultural outlook. Danes often use it to express satisfaction, agreement, or general well-being. It's common to hear 'Godt!' as an affirmation, similar to 'Great!' or 'Good!' in English. The concept of 'hygge' – a uniquely Danish feeling of coziness and contentment – often intertwines with the sentiment conveyed by 'godt'. If something contributes to a 'hyggelig' atmosphere, it is inherently 'godt'. The word also plays a role in the Danish emphasis on societal welfare and quality of life; a 'godt liv' (good life) is a common aspiration and a reflection of a well-functioning society. It rarely carries strong emotional weight, instead conveying a steady, comfortable positivity.

Astuce mémo

Think of 'godt' sounding like 'got it' - if you 'got it' you understand it 'well'.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
'Godt' in Danish is highly versatile and can be used in numerous contexts. It commonly means 'good' or 'well,' functioning as an adjective or an adverb. For instance, you might say 'Det er godt' (That is good) or 'Han synger godt' (He sings well). It's also frequently used in greetings like 'Godt at se dig!' (Good to see you!) or to express agreement, 'Godt!' (Good!/Okay!). Furthermore, it can be part of idioms or fixed expressions, adding nuance to a sentence. Its specific meaning often depends on the surrounding words and the context of the conversation.
Absolutely, 'godt' is very often used to express agreement or affirmation in Danish. When someone says 'godt' on its own, it can mean 'okay,' 'alright,' or 'good.' For example, if someone suggests an idea, you might respond with 'Godt!' to indicate your approval. It's similar to saying 'That's good' or 'Understood' in English. This usage highlights its flexibility as a conversational filler and an affirmative response, making it a key word in everyday Danish interactions.
The difference between 'godt,' 'god,' and 'gode' lies in their grammatical function and agreement with nouns. 'God' is the indefinite singular form of the adjective 'good' used with common gender nouns (e.g., 'en god bog' - a good book). 'Godt' is the neuter singular form (e.g., 'et godt hus' - a good house) and also functions as an adverb meaning 'well' (e.g., 'han har det godt' - he is well). 'Gode' is the plural form for all genders and the definite singular form (e.g., 'de gode bøger' - the good books, or 'den gode bog' - the good book). So, while they all derive from the same root meaning 'good,' their endings change based on the grammatical context of the noun they modify or whether they are acting as an adverb.
Yes, 'godt' appears in many common Danish phrases and idioms. Here are a few examples: 'Godt klaret!' means 'Well done!' or 'Good job!' 'Godt nok' can mean 'good enough' or 'all right,' sometimes with a hint of resignation. 'På den gode måde' means 'in a good way.' Another common one is 'at have det godt,' which translates to 'to be well' or 'to feel good.' You'll also hear 'det lyder godt,' meaning 'that sounds good.' These phrases illustrate how 'godt' is integrated into everyday expressions, adding naturalness and nuance to conversations.

Teste-toi

fill blank

Jeg har det ______. (I am doing well.)

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Han synger ______. (He sings well.)

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Det er ______ at se dig. (It's good to see you.)

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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