§ Understanding 'mens'
The Danish word mens is a conjunction. It's used to talk about things happening at the same time. Think of it like "while" or "during the time that" in English. You'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations, at work, in school, and when watching the news.
- Definition
- During the time that.
§ At Work
In a work setting, mens is super useful for describing tasks or events that overlap. It helps to clarify timelines and responsibilities.
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Jeg lavede rapporten, mens du var i møde.
I made the report (while) you were in the meeting.
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Kan du svare på e-mails, mens jeg ringer til kunden?
Can you answer emails (while) I call the client?
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De andre diskuterede planen, mens jeg forberedte præsentationen.
The others discussed the plan (while) I prepared the presentation.
§ At School
In an academic environment, mens helps to describe parallel activities, like studying or group work.
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Eleverne læste bogen, mens læreren forklarede grammatik.
The students read the book (while) the teacher explained grammar.
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Jeg tog noter, mens professoren talte.
I took notes (while) the professor spoke.
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Vi arbejdede på projektet, mens musikken spillede.
We worked on the project (while) the music played.
§ In the News
News reports often use mens to present concurrent events, providing context and showing relationships between different happenings.
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Regeringen forhandlede, mens befolkningen ventede spændt.
The government negotiated (while) the population waited anxiously.
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Priserne steg, mens lønningerne stagnerede.
Prices rose (while) wages stagnated.
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Verden fulgte med, mens begivenhederne udfoldede sig.
The world watched (while) the events unfolded.
Niveau de difficulté
Short, common word.
Simple spelling.
Easy pronunciation.
Common and clear in speech.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Souvent confondu avec
During the time that.
There is no common Danish noun 'mens' that would be confused with the conjunction. The word 'mens' as a noun usually refers to menstruation (menstrual period) but this is a very different context.
'Imens' is also a conjunction meaning 'while' or 'meanwhile', and can often be used interchangeably with 'mens' when referring to concurrent actions. 'Imens' can also function as an adverb.
Expressions idiomatiques
"Mens tid er, bruges den vel"
While there is time, it is used well. (Meaning: Make good use of your time.)
Vi må nyde sommeren, mens tid er, bruges den vel. (We must enjoy the summer, while there is time, it is used well.)
neutral"Mens legen er god, skal man holde op"
While the game is good, one should stop. (Meaning: Quit while you're ahead.)
Jeg har vundet to runder, så jeg stopper nu, mens legen er god. (I've won two rounds, so I'm stopping now, while the game is good.)
neutral"Mens der er liv, er der håb"
While there is life, there is hope.
Selvom det ser svært ud, må vi huske, mens der er liv, er der håb. (Even though it looks difficult, we must remember, while there is life, there is hope.)
neutral"Mens du venter"
While you wait
Her er en kop kaffe, mens du venter. (Here's a cup of coffee, while you wait.)
neutral"Mens du er i gang"
While you're at it
Kan du også lige tage skraldet, mens du er i gang? (Can you also take out the trash while you're at it?)
informal"Mens jeg tænker over det"
While I'm thinking about it
Mens jeg tænker over det, ville jeg lige spørge dig om noget. (While I'm thinking about it, I just wanted to ask you something.)
neutral"Mens vi er ved det"
While we're at it
Mens vi er ved det, skal vi så ikke også bestille en pizza? (While we're at it, shouldn't we also order a pizza?)
neutral"Mens det er varmt"
While it's hot
Spis din mad, mens det er varmt. (Eat your food while it's hot.)
neutral"Mens du nu er her"
While you are here (now)
Mens du nu er her, kan du måske hjælpe mig med dette? (While you are here now, maybe you can help me with this?)
neutral"Mens tid og lejlighed gives"
While time and opportunity are given. (Meaning: Take advantage of the opportunity.)
Man skal ud og rejse, mens tid og lejlighed gives. (One should go and travel, while time and opportunity are given.)
formalFacile à confondre
'Fordi' means 'because', but it's often confused with 'da' or 'som'. 'Fordi' is used to introduce a reason or cause.
'Fordi' answers 'why?' while 'da' or 'som' might describe a circumstance or time.
Jeg er træt, fordi jeg har arbejdet hele dagen. (I am tired because I have worked all day.)
'Når' can mean 'when' (conjunction) or 'when' (adverb), which can be confusing. It refers to a recurring event or a future event.
Use 'når' for general 'when' or future 'when'. For a specific past 'when', use 'da'.
Jeg spiser morgenmad, når jeg vågner. (I eat breakfast when I wake up.)
'Da' can mean 'when' (conjunction) or 'since/as' (conjunction), leading to confusion with 'når' and 'fordi'.
Use 'da' for a specific past 'when' or to introduce a reason that is already known or obvious.
Da jeg var barn, boede jeg i Aarhus. (When I was a child, I lived in Aarhus.)
'Altid' means 'always', but learners sometimes confuse it with similar-sounding words or misplace it in a sentence.
It's an adverb of frequency. Remember its typical placement after the verb in main clauses.
Jeg spiser altid morgenmad klokken syv. (I always eat breakfast at seven o'clock.)
'Aldrig' means 'never'. Similar to 'altid', its placement can be tricky for English speakers.
It's an adverb of frequency and typically comes after the verb in main clauses.
Jeg har aldrig været i Japan. (I have never been to Japan.)
Comment l'utiliser
Mens is used to connect two simultaneous actions. It often translates to "while" or "whereas." For example, "Jeg læser en bog, mens du laver mad" (I am reading a book while you are cooking). It can also indicate a contrast or comparison, similar to "whereas" in English. For instance, "Nogle foretrækker kaffe, mens andre foretrækker te" (Some prefer coffee, whereas others prefer tea).
A common mistake is confusing mens with medens. While they are often interchangeable, mens is generally more common and preferred in modern Danish. Another mistake is using it for a temporal sequence rather than simultaneous actions. For sequential events, words like efter (after) or før (before) would be more appropriate.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth 'mens' and 'imens' mean 'while' or 'whilst'. You can use them pretty interchangeably. For example, 'Jeg læser, mens du spiser.' (I read while you eat.) or 'Jeg læser, imens du spiser.' (I read whilst you eat.)
Yes, absolutely! 'Mens' can definitely be used to mean 'whereas' when you're comparing two things. For example, 'Han kan lide kaffe, mens jeg foretrækker te.' (He likes coffee, whereas I prefer tea.)
Mostly, yes. 'Mens' primarily refers to something happening 'during the time that' another thing is happening. However, as we just discussed, it can also show a contrast, like 'whereas', which isn't strictly about time.
Very common! You'll hear and see 'mens' a lot in everyday Danish conversations and writing. It's a key word for connecting ideas about time or showing contrast.
You use 'mens' to join two clauses. The action in the 'mens' clause happens at the same time as the action in the main clause. For instance, 'Hun hørte musik, mens hun lavede mad.' (She listened to music while she cooked.)
Yes, you can. For example, 'Mens jeg ventede, læste jeg en bog.' (While I waited, I read a book.) Just remember to put a comma after the 'mens' clause if it comes first.
Here's a simple one: 'Jeg sover, mens du arbejder.' (I sleep while you work.)
When 'mens' introduces a subordinate clause, the verb in that clause usually comes after the subject. So it's similar to English in that respect. 'Vi talte, mens vi spiste.' (We talked while we ate.)
Not really. Its core meaning is 'while' or 'whereas'. It doesn't have a lot of different, unrelated definitions, which makes it a bit easier to learn!
Yes, but it's usually part of a statement that then becomes a question. For example, 'Kan du holde øje med børnene, mens jeg handler?' (Can you watch the children while I shop?)
Teste-toi 54 questions
This sentence means 'I eat while I read.' The word 'mens' connects the two actions happening at the same time.
This sentence means 'He works while he listens to music.' 'Mens' joins the two concurrent activities.
This sentence means 'We talk while we go for a walk.' 'Mens' indicates simultaneous actions.
The speaker is doing something while the other person sleeps.
What is she doing while baking?
They are having a conversation during lunch.
Read this aloud:
Jeg lytter, mens du taler.
Focus: mens
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Han ser TV, mens jeg arbejder.
Focus: mens
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
De leger, mens solen skinner.
Focus: mens
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen for 'mens' in the context of two simultaneous actions.
Pay attention to what someone was doing during another activity.
Identify the two actions happening at the same time.
Read this aloud:
Kan du sige: 'Hun sang, mens hun gjorde rent'?
Focus: mens
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Øv dig på sætningen: 'De drak kaffe, mens børnene legede'.
Focus: drak, legede
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Prøv at sige: 'Han så fjernsyn, mens hun læste avis'.
Focus: fjernsyn, avis
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The speaker fell asleep while reading a book.
The children were playing outside while the adults were on the phone.
One person made dinner while the other set the table.
Read this aloud:
Mens du venter, kan du læse avisen.
Focus: Mens, venter, avisen
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Jeg har altid lyttet til musik, mens jeg har trænet.
Focus: Altid, lyttet, trænet
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Mens vi var på ferie, besøgte vi mange museer.
Focus: Ferie, besøgte, museer
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you're describing two parallel activities happening in your daily life. Write two sentences using 'mens' to connect them. Focus on using correct comma placement.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg læser en bog, mens min kæreste laver mad. Vi lytter ofte til musik, mens vi arbejder i haven.
You are explaining a change that occurred over time. Write a sentence using 'mens' to describe something that happened for a period, and what happened after that period.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mens jeg boede i Aarhus, studerede jeg jura, men så flyttede jeg til København og begyndte at arbejde som journalist.
Describe a situation where someone is doing one thing, and at the same time, you are thinking about something else. Use 'mens' to link the action and your thoughts.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mens han talte om sine rejseplaner, tænkte jeg på, hvor mange penge han måtte have sparet op.
Hvad gjorde personerne, mens det regnede?
Read this passage:
Mens solen skinnede, nød vi en dejlig frokost i haven. Pludselig begyndte det at regne, og vi måtte løbe indendørs for at undgå at blive våde. Vi grinede, mens vi tørrede os med håndklæder.
Hvad gjorde personerne, mens det regnede?
Passagen siger 'Vi grinede, mens vi tørrede os med håndklæder.'
Passagen siger 'Vi grinede, mens vi tørrede os med håndklæder.'
Hvad gjorde Maria, mens hendes bror spillede computer?
Read this passage:
Maria læste en spændende bog, mens hendes bror spillede computer. Deres forældre var i køkkenet og lavede aftensmad, mens de lyttede til radioen. Hele familien var optaget af hver deres aktiviteter.
Hvad gjorde Maria, mens hendes bror spillede computer?
Passagen siger 'Maria læste en spændende bog, mens hendes bror spillede computer.'
Passagen siger 'Maria læste en spændende bog, mens hendes bror spillede computer.'
Hvad talte personerne om, mens de ventede på bussen?
Read this passage:
Mens vi ventede på bussen, talte vi om vores ferieplaner. Vi havde mange ideer, men vi kunne ikke beslutte os for, hvor vi skulle rejse hen. Tiden fløj afsted, mens vi diskuterede.
Hvad talte personerne om, mens de ventede på bussen?
Passagen siger 'Mens vi ventede på bussen, talte vi om vores ferieplaner.'
Passagen siger 'Mens vi ventede på bussen, talte vi om vores ferieplaner.'
Vælg den sætning, hvor 'mens' bruges korrekt til at udtrykke en kontrast eller modsætning mellem to handlinger.
'Mens' kan også bruges til at udtrykke en modsætning eller kontrast, hvilket er tilfældet her. De andre sætninger bruger 'mens' til at indikere samtidighed.
Hvilken sætning illustrerer bedst brugen af 'mens' til at angive en længerevarende handling, der finder sted samtidig med en kortere hændelse?
Her beskriver 'mens' en kontinuerlig handling (spise middag), der bliver afbrudt eller ledsaget af en kortere hændelse (telefonen ringede).
I hvilken sætning fungerer 'mens' som en indledning til en betingelse eller omstændighed, der påvirker hovedudsagnet?
I denne sætning introducerer 'mens' en indrømmelse eller en betingelse, der sættes op mod hovedudsagnet.
Sætningen 'Han griner, mens hun græder' bruger 'mens' til at udtrykke to samtidige handlinger, der er i kontrast til hinanden.
Ja, 'mens' bruges her til at vise, at to handlinger sker samtidigt, men at de er modstridende i natur.
I sætningen 'Mens jeg boede i udlandet, lærte jeg et nyt sprog' indikerer 'mens' en årsag-virkning-relation.
Nej, 'mens' indikerer her en tidsmæssig sammenhæng – at lære sproget skete i den periode, hvor personen boede i udlandet, ikke som en direkte konsekvens af det.
Man kan altid erstatte 'mens' med 'da' uden at ændre sætningens betydning, når det bruges til at udtrykke samtidighed.
Nej, 'da' bruges ofte om en specifik fortidig begivenhed eller årsag, hvorimod 'mens' typisk refererer til en længere periode eller to sideløbende handlinger. De er ikke altid udskiftelige.
Imagine you are describing two parallel actions happening in a busy office. Write a short paragraph using 'mens' to connect these simultaneous events. For example, 'Mens chefen talte i telefon, skrev sekretæren e-mails.' (While the boss was talking on the phone, the secretary was writing emails.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mens direktøren gennemgik rapporterne, forberedte teamet præsentationen. På samme tid var IT-afdelingen i gang med at opdatere serverne. Det var en travl dag, hvor alle bidrog til projektets succes.
Describe a scenario where someone is performing a main action, and 'mens' introduces a contrasting or secondary action that occurs simultaneously. For instance, 'Hun lyttede til musik, mens hun studerede, selvom det var svært at koncentrere sig.' (She listened to music while she studied, even though it was hard to concentrate.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Han forsøgte at slappe af med en bog, mens hans nabo borede i væggen, hvilket gjorde det umuligt at finde ro. Han overvejede at spørge, om de snart var færdige.
Write a sentence using 'mens' to describe a situation where one person is doing something, and another person is doing something entirely different, but both actions occur within the same time frame. For example, 'Mens børnene legede i haven, forberedte forældrene aftensmaden.' (While the children played in the garden, the parents prepared dinner.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mens min kollega præsenterede de nye resultater, sad jeg og redigerede mine egne noter for at sikre, at jeg havde alle detaljer med til diskussionen bagefter.
Hvad skete der samtidigt med, at aktivisterne demonstrerede?
Read this passage:
På trods af den intense debat om klimapolitik, fortsatte bilproducenterne med at udvikle større og mere brændstofkrævende modeller. Mens aktivister demonstrerede foran parlamentet, blev der afholdt et lukket møde mellem lobbyister og politikere, hvor dagsordenen fokuserede på at beskytte industriens interesser snarere end at finde bæredygtige løsninger.
Hvad skete der samtidigt med, at aktivisterne demonstrerede?
Teksten siger 'Mens aktivister demonstrerede foran parlamentet, blev der afholdt et lukket møde mellem lobbyister og politikere, hvor dagsordenen fokuserede på at beskytte industriens interesser'.
Teksten siger 'Mens aktivister demonstrerede foran parlamentet, blev der afholdt et lukket møde mellem lobbyister og politikere, hvor dagsordenen fokuserede på at beskytte industriens interesser'.
Hvilken af disse udtalelser er sand ifølge teksten?
Read this passage:
Den gamle bygning gennemgik en omfattende renovering. Mens stilladset omsluttede facaden, og håndværkere arbejdede ihærdigt indendørs, fortsatte den daglige drift i nabobygningen uforstyrret. De to verdener eksisterede side om side, den ene i forandring, den anden i sin vante rytme.
Hvilken af disse udtalelser er sand ifølge teksten?
Teksten angiver, at 'den daglige drift i nabobygningen uforstyrret' fortsatte, mens renoveringen stod på.
Teksten angiver, at 'den daglige drift i nabobygningen uforstyrret' fortsatte, mens renoveringen stod på.
Hvilken af disse udsagn beskriver bedst forfatterens situation?
Read this passage:
Mens forfatteren arbejdede på sit nye manuskript sent om natten, begyndte han at føle en voksende trang til at rejse. Denne pludselige impuls, der opstod midt i en kreativ proces, fik ham til at overveje en helt anden retning for sin historie, inspireret af mulige eventyr i fjerne lande. Kontrasten mellem den stillesiddende skriveproces og drømmen om bevægelse blev et centralt tema.
Hvilken af disse udsagn beskriver bedst forfatterens situation?
Passagen siger 'Mens forfatteren arbejdede på sit nye manuskript sent om natten, begyndte han at føle en voksende trang til at rejse.'
Passagen siger 'Mens forfatteren arbejdede på sit nye manuskript sent om natten, begyndte han at føle en voksende trang til at rejse.'
Han læste avisen, ___ hun lavede mad.
Here, 'mens' connects two actions happening at the same time: reading the newspaper and cooking.
Vi talte i telefon, ___ vi gik en tur i parken.
'Mens' indicates that the phone conversation occurred concurrently with the walk in the park.
Børnene legede i haven, ___ forældrene slappede af på terrassen.
'Mens' is used to show that the children were playing at the same time the parents were relaxing.
Hun lyttede til musik, ___ hun arbejdede på sin computer.
This sentence uses 'mens' to describe two activities happening simultaneously: listening to music and working on the computer.
De spiste morgenmad, ___ solen stod op over bjergene.
'Mens' clearly indicates that breakfast was being eaten during the sunrise.
Han skrev et brev, ___ hun forberedte aftensmaden.
'Mens' connects the act of writing a letter with the preparation of dinner, showing they happened at the same time.
This sentence uses 'mens' to indicate an action happening concurrently with another. The structure 'Mens [event], [action]' is common.
'Mens' connects two simultaneous actions carried out by different subjects. The comma before 'mens' is standard in this construction.
Here, 'mens' introduces a clause that sets the time frame for the main action. The comma correctly separates the two clauses.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
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Plus de mots sur general
afbryde
B1To stop something from continuing
afbøje
B2To deflect or turn aside.
afgørende
B1decisive or crucial
afholde
B2to hold or host an event, or to refrain from
afhængig
B1Determined or decided by something else
afkorte
B2To shorten or reduce in length.
afmærke
B2To mark or indicate a position.
afrunde
B2To conclude or make complete.
afslutte
B1to bring to an end
afsløre
B2to make something secret known
