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A1 adjective Neutre 2 min de lecture

langsom

/ˈlɑŋsʌm/
Entraîne-toi

Overview

The Danish word 'langsom' directly translates to 'slow' in English. It's an adjective used to describe something or someone that moves at a low speed, or an action that takes a long time to complete.

**Declension and Usage:**

Like many Danish adjectives, 'langsom' changes its form depending on the gender and number of the noun it modifies, and whether it's in the definite or indefinite form.

* **Indefinite Singular:**

  • Common Gender (en-words): For common gender nouns (words taking 'en' as an indefinite article), 'langsom' remains unchanged.

* *Example:* 'en langsom bil' (a slow car)

  • Neuter Gender (et-words): For neuter gender nouns (words taking 'et' as an indefinite article), 'langsom' takes an '-t' ending, becoming 'langsomt'.

* **Definite Singular and Plural:**

  • When 'langsom' modifies a definite noun (e.g., 'the slow car') or a plural noun, it takes an '-e' ending, becoming 'langsomme'.
  • Example (definite singular common gender): 'den langsomme bil' (the slow car)
  • Example (definite singular neuter gender): 'det langsomme tog' (the slow train)
  • Example (plural): 'de langsomme biler' (the slow cars), 'langsomme heste' (slow horses)

**Adverbial Form:**

'Langsom' also has an adverbial form, which is 'langsomt'. This form is used to describe how an action is performed.

  • Example: 'Han går langsomt' (He walks slowly).

**Comparative and Superlative:**

Like other adjectives, 'langsom' can be used in comparative and superlative forms to express degrees of slowness.

* **Comparative:** 'langsommere' (slower)

  • Example: 'Denne bil er langsommere end den anden' (This car is slower than the other one).

* **Superlative:** 'langsomst' (slowest)

  • Example: 'Den snegl er den langsomste' (That snail is the slowest).
  • When used attributively with a definite noun, it becomes 'den langsomste', 'det langsomste', or 'de langsomste' depending on gender and number.

**Common Expressions and Phrases:**

  • 'Langsom i opfattelsen': This phrase means 'slow to grasp' or 'slow on the uptake', referring to someone who takes a long time to understand something.
  • 'At tage den langsomt': This means 'to take it easy' or 'to take one's time', often implying a relaxed approach or pacing oneself.
  • 'Livet er langsomt': 'Life is slow', often used to describe a calm or uneventful existence.

Understanding the various forms and uses of 'langsom' is crucial for accurate and natural-sounding Danish communication.

Exemples

1

Han er langsom til at lære.

Describes someone's learning pace.

He is slow to learn.

2

Toget kørte langsomt.

Describes the speed of a vehicle.

The train was moving slowly.

3

Hun har en langsom fordøjelse.

Describes a bodily process.

She has slow digestion.

4

Internettet er meget langsomt i dag.

Describes the speed of a digital connection.

The internet is very slow today.

5

Livet på landet er ofte mere langsomt.

Describes the pace of life.

Life in the countryside is often slower.

Collocations courantes

langsomt tempo
langsom udvikling
langsom proces
langsom gang

Souvent confondu avec

langsom vs langsomt
'Langsom' is an adjective, while 'langsomt' is an adverb. 'Langsom' describes a noun (e.g., 'en langsom bil' - a slow car), and 'langsomt' describes a verb or another adjective (e.g., 'kører langsomt' - drives slowly).

Modèles grammaticaux

Adjective inflection: 'langsom' (common and neuter singular), 'langsomme' (plural and definite singular) Comparative: 'langsommere' Superlative: 'langsomst'

Comment l'utiliser

Notes d'usage

'Langsom' is an adjective in Danish, meaning slow. It inflects according to gender, number, and definiteness, similar to other Danish adjectives. The basic form is 'langsom' (common gender, singular, indefinite), which is used for 'en' nouns (e.g., 'en langsom snegl' - a slow snail) and in predicative positions (e.g., 'Han er langsom' - He is slow). For 'et' nouns (neuter gender, singular, indefinite), it becomes 'langsomt' (e.g., 'et langsomt tog' - a slow train). In the plural and definite forms, regardless of gender, it becomes 'langsomme' (e.g., 'de langsomme dyr' - the slow animals; 'det langsomme tempo' - the slow pace). It's crucial to use the correct inflection to maintain grammatical accuracy. It can also be used adverbially as 'langsomt' (e.g., 'Han bevæger sig langsomt' - He moves slowly). The comparative form is 'langsommere' (slower) and the superlative is 'langsomst' (slowest).

Erreurs courantes

A common mistake might be confusing 'langsom' (slow) with words that describe duration, like 'længe' (long time). While related, 'langsom' specifically refers to speed, not just length of time. Another mistake could be mispronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' sound, when it's often softer or almost silent in this context, blending into the 's' sound. Ensure you differentiate it from 'hurtig' (fast) and use it appropriately when describing speed or pace. Also, remember that Danish adjectives often change endings to agree with the noun they describe (e.g., 'en langsom mand' - a slow man, 'et langsomt tog' - a slow train, 'langsomme biler' - slow cars). Failing to apply these grammatical endings would be a common error.

Origine du mot

From Old Norse *langsamr*, from 'langr' (long) + '-samr' (adjective-forming suffix). Cognate with Swedish 'långsam' and Norwegian 'langsom'.

Contexte culturel

In Denmark, the concept of 'langsom' (slow) can carry various cultural connotations depending on the context. While generally referring to speed, it can also subtly touch upon efficiency, work ethic, and even a certain contemplative pace of life. For instance, being 'langsom' in a professional setting might be perceived negatively, implying a lack of productivity or swiftness in action, which is generally valued in Danish work culture. However, in personal or recreational contexts, 'langsom' can evoke a positive sense of enjoying the moment, deliberate thought, or a relaxed lifestyle, contrasting with the sometimes fast-paced modern life. The phrase 'at tage den med ro' (to take it easy/slow) highlights a cultural appreciation for slowing down and de-stressing. Therefore, the interpretation of 'langsom' is nuanced and heavily relies on the specific social or personal situation.

Astuce mémo

Think of 'langsom' sounding a bit like 'languishing' or 'long-some' in English, both of which can imply something slow or taking a long time.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions
'Langsom' is a Danish adjective that directly translates to 'slow' in English. It describes something or someone that moves or acts at a low speed, takes a long time, or is not quick. For example, a 'langsom bil' means a 'slow car', and 'langsom service' would mean 'slow service'. It can also be used metaphorically to describe processes that are not progressing quickly, such as 'langsom vækst' meaning 'slow growth'. The word is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe a wide range of situations where a lack of speed or quickness is the defining characteristic. It's an important word to know when describing tempo, pace, or duration in Danish.
The pronunciation of 'langsom' can be broken down to understand it better. The 'l' is pronounced like in English. The 'a' is a short, open 'a' sound, similar to the 'a' in 'father' but a bit shorter. The 'ng' is a soft, nasal sound, like the 'ng' in 'sing' or 'long'. The 's' is a soft 's' sound, like in 'snake'. Finally, 'om' is pronounced with a short 'o' sound, similar to the 'o' in 'got', followed by an 'm' sound. Putting it all together, it sounds something like 'lang-som', with the emphasis typically on the first syllable. Native Danish speakers often have a slightly softer and more fluid pronunciation, but this breakdown should give you a good starting point for understanding and attempting to pronounce it correctly.
Yes, 'langsom' is used in several common Danish phrases and expressions. One very frequent use is 'langsomt men sikkert', which translates to 'slowly but surely', indicating a steady and deliberate progress towards a goal. Another common phrase is 'at være langsom i opfattelsen', meaning 'to be slow on the uptake' or 'to be slow to understand', describing someone who takes a longer time to grasp new information or ideas. You might also hear 'en langsom starter', referring to something or someone that takes a while to get going. These phrases highlight how 'langsom' is integrated into idiomatic expressions to describe various aspects of speed, comprehension, and initiation.
The most common and direct opposite of 'langsom' (slow) in Danish is 'hurtig' (fast or quick). So, if something is not 'langsom', it is likely 'hurtig'. For example, a 'hurtig bil' means a 'fast car', and 'hurtig service' would mean 'fast service'. Just as 'langsom' can describe a wide range of things moving at a low speed, 'hurtig' describes things moving at a high speed or happening quickly. Both words are fundamental in Danish vocabulary for describing tempo, pace, and efficiency. Understanding both 'langsom' and 'hurtig' allows for a comprehensive way to talk about speed in various contexts.

Teste-toi

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En skildpadde er et ___ dyr.

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Han gik ___ op ad bakken.

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Trafikken bevægede sig meget ___.

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