B2 noun Neutre 2 min de lecture

konkurrence

/kʌŋˈkʊʁɛnsə/

Overview

The Danish word 'konkurrence' directly translates to 'competition' in English. It's a versatile noun used across various contexts, from sports and business to academic and social settings. The core meaning revolves around the act of striving to win or achieve something over others.

In a sporting context, 'konkurrence' refers to the event itself where athletes compete, such as a 'løbekonkurrence' (running competition) or 'svømmekonkurrence' (swimming competition). It also describes the general spirit of competition, where participants push themselves to perform better than their rivals. For instance, 'der er hård konkurrence' means 'there is fierce competition.'

In the business world, 'konkurrence' is a fundamental concept. Companies engage in 'virksomhedskonkurrence' (business competition) to gain market share, attract customers, and maximize profits. This can involve 'priskonkurrence' (price competition), where companies vie for customers by offering lower prices, or 'produktkonkurrence' (product competition), focusing on innovation and quality. Understanding the competitive landscape, often referred to as 'konkurrencesituationen,' is crucial for strategic planning. Terms like 'konkurrencefordel' (competitive advantage) highlight a company's unique strengths that allow it to outperform rivals.

Academically, 'konkurrence' can relate to scholarly rivalries or the drive to excel in studies. For example, students might be in 'konkurrence om en studieplads' (competition for a study place).

Socially, 'konkurrence' can describe friendly rivalry or even more intense forms of vying for status or attention. While often seen as a driver of progress and improvement, 'konkurrence' can also have negative connotations, such as leading to unfair practices or excessive stress, hence the importance of 'fair konkurrence' (fair competition).

Grammatically, 'konkurrence' is a common noun and typically takes the definite form 'konkurrencen' (the competition). It can be combined with various adjectives to describe the nature of the competition, such as 'intens konkurrence' (intense competition), 'sund konkurrence' (healthy competition), or 'ulig konkurrence' (unequal competition). Understanding 'konkurrence' is key to grasping many aspects of Danish society and culture, reflecting its role in driving ambition, innovation, and social interaction.

Exemples

1

Konkurrencen var hård, men han vandt.

Sports event

The competition was tough, but he won.

2

Der er stor konkurrence på markedet for smartphones.

Business/Economics

There is great competition in the smartphone market.

3

Hendes konkurrenceinstinkt er meget stærkt.

Personality trait

Her competitive instinct is very strong.

4

De afholder en konkurrence for at finde den bedste bager.

Event/Contest

They are holding a competition to find the best baker.

5

Sund konkurrence gavner forbrugerne.

Economics/Philosophy

Healthy competition benefits consumers.

Collocations courantes

skarp konkurrence
fri konkurrence
sund konkurrence
udbud og konkurrence

Souvent confondu avec

konkurrence vs konsekvens
Konkurrence refers to the act of competing, while konsekvens means consequence.
konkurrence vs kongruens
Konkurrence is about competition, kongruens means congruence or agreement.

Modèles grammaticaux

En hård konkurrence (A fierce competition) Udsætte sig for konkurrence (Expose oneself to competition) Være i konkurrence med nogen (Be in competition with someone)

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

The word 'konkurrence' is a feminine noun in Danish, meaning 'competition' or 'contest'. It is commonly used in a variety of contexts. For instance, in a business setting, one might talk about 'skarp konkurrence' (fierce competition) or 'at vinde en konkurrence' (to win a competition). In sports, you might hear about 'en sportskonkurrence' (a sports competition) or 'at deltage i en konkurrence' (to participate in a competition). The word can also refer to a competition for a prize or an opportunity, such as 'en konkurrence om et stipendium' (a competition for a scholarship). It is often used with prepositions like 'i' (in), 'om' (about/for), and 'mod' (against). For example, 'De er i konkurrence med hinanden' (They are in competition with each other). The plural form is 'konkurrencer'. It's important to note that while 'konkurrence' generally has a neutral or positive connotation, implying healthy rivalry that can drive progress, it can also be used in contexts where the competition is seen as intense or even cutthroat. The specific nuance often depends on the accompanying adjectives or the overall context of the conversation.


Erreurs courantes

A common mistake is mispronouncing the 'u' sound, which should be like the 'oo' in 'moon'. Another frequent error is forgetting the double 'r' in the middle of the word, which can alter its meaning or make it sound incorrect to native speakers. Danish often uses compound words, and sometimes learners might try to separate 'konkurrence' into multiple words, but it is a single, complete word. Additionally, distinguishing between 'konkurrence' (competition) and 'konkurrent' (competitor) can sometimes be a source of confusion for learners, as they are related but distinct terms.

Astuces

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Word Class & Gender

'Konkurrence' is a common noun (substantiv). In Danish, all common nouns have a grammatical gender, and 'konkurrence' is a common gender word, meaning it takes the 'en' article in its singular form. This is important for correct sentence construction and agreement.
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Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is confusing 'konkurrence' with 'væddemål' (a bet/wager). While both involve competition, 'konkurrence' is a broader term for any competitive activity, whereas 'væddemål' specifically refers to an agreement to risk money or possessions on an outcome. Another pitfall is incorrectly using the definite form. Remember, it's 'konkurrencen' (the competition), not 'konkurrensen'.
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Usage & Nuances

'Konkurrence' can refer to a general state of competition ('der er stor konkurrence på markedet' - there is great competition in the market), a specific event ('han vandt konkurrencen' - he won the competition), or even the spirit of competition ('en sund konkurrence' - a healthy competition). It's a versatile word used in various contexts, from business and sports to everyday situations. Its plural form is 'konkurrencer'.

Origine du mot

The Danish word 'konkurrence' originates from the Latin word 'concurrentia', which means 'a running together', 'a convergence', or 'a concurrence'. This Latin term is derived from 'concurrens', the present participle of 'concurrere', meaning 'to run together', 'to assemble', 'to meet', 'to agree', or 'to coincide'. 'Concurrere' itself is formed from the prefix 'con-', meaning 'with' or 'together', and 'currere', meaning 'to run'. The concept of 'running together' evolved to imply a competitive aspect, where multiple entities are striving for the same goal or position, hence 'competing'. In French, the term became 'concurrence', carrying the meaning of competition or rivalry, which was then adopted into many other European languages. The Danish language likely borrowed 'konkurrence' from German 'Konkurrenz' or directly from French 'concurrence' during periods of significant linguistic exchange and influence. The suffix '-ence' in Latin and French often denotes an action, state, or quality, and in this context, it signifies the 'act' or 'state' of competing. Therefore, 'konkurrence' in Danish, while directly meaning 'competition', carries the etymological layers of 'running together' towards a shared point or goal, which inherently implies a contest or rivalry to achieve it first or most effectively. The word reflects a long history of linguistic evolution across Latin, French, German, and finally into Danish, all while retaining its core meaning related to striving against others for an objective.

Contexte culturel

In Denmark, the concept of 'konkurrence' (competition) is deeply ingrained in various aspects of society, from business and sports to education and social interactions. Danish culture often emphasizes fair play and healthy competition, where the focus is not just on winning, but also on the effort, skill, and sportsmanship displayed. In the business world, 'konkurrence' drives innovation and efficiency, with companies striving to offer better products and services. However, there's also a strong tradition of collaboration and consensus-building, often seen in the Danish model of social democracy, where competition is balanced with a sense of collective responsibility and welfare. In sports, 'konkurrence' is a fundamental element, fostering discipline, teamwork, and personal achievement. Even in education, while collaboration is highly valued, a certain level of healthy competition can be present to motivate students. The word 'konkurrence' itself carries a neutral to positive connotation, suggesting a dynamic process that can lead to improvement and progress, as long as it adheres to ethical standards and promotes overall societal well-being.

Astuce mémo

Visualize two competitors running a race, with one slightly ahead of the other, symbolizing 'konkurrence' as competition.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
'Konkurrence' in Danish refers to the activity of competing against others. It's a fundamental concept in many areas, from sports and games to business and natural ecosystems. Essentially, it describes a situation where two or more parties strive to achieve the same goal, often where success for one means less or no success for others. This can involve individuals, teams, companies, or even species vying for resources or dominance.
'Konkurrence' is widely used across various contexts. In sports, it's about teams or athletes competing for a win. In business, it refers to companies competing for market share and customers. We also see 'konkurrence' in academic settings for scholarships or admissions, in job markets for positions, and even in nature where organisms compete for food, mates, and territory. It's a ubiquitous aspect of striving and achievement.
Yes, there are indeed different types of 'konkurrence'. For example, there's direct competition where rivals offer similar products or services, and indirect competition where they might satisfy the same customer need in different ways. In economics, we talk about perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and monopoly, each representing different levels and forms of 'konkurrence' in a market. In sports, it can be individual or team-based.
'Konkurrence' can bring both benefits and drawbacks. On the positive side, it can drive innovation, improve efficiency, lower prices for consumers, and foster personal growth and excellence. It can motivate individuals and organizations to perform at their best. However, downsides can include increased stress, potential for unethical behavior to gain an advantage, consolidation of power, and in some cases, can lead to exclusion or unfair outcomes for those unable to compete effectively. It's a complex dynamic with multifaceted effects.

Teste-toi

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En sund ________ kan føre til innovation og forbedring.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
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De to virksomheder er i skarp ________ om markedsandele.

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

Han elsker at deltage i sportslige ________.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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