When using the Danish word 'smitte' at a C1 level, it's important to grasp its nuances beyond just 'contagion' or 'infection'. While it primarily refers to the spread of disease, it can also be used more broadly to describe the transmission of abstract concepts like enthusiasm or a mood.
For instance, you might talk about 'smitteeffekten' (the ripple effect of contagion) in a social context, or how 'glæden smitter' (joy is contagious).
Understanding these broader applications helps in mastering idiomatic Danish and communicating more sophisticated ideas.
smitte en 30 secondes
- contagion
- infection
- transmission
§ Understanding 'Smitte'
You've learned that 'smitte' means contagion or infection. It's a common and very practical word in Danish, especially when talking about health or the spread of anything, really. Let's look at how it compares to some related words and when you should use 'smitte'.
§ 'Smitte' as a Noun
Der er stor risiko for smitte i den menneskemængde.
Han fik smitte med influenza.
§ Related Words: 'Infektion'
Lægen sagde, at jeg havde en bakteriel infektion.
§ 'Smitte' as a Verb
Han er bange for at smitte sin familie.
Dårligt humør kan smitte af på andre.
§ 'Sygdom' and 'Lidelse'
Hun lider af en sjælden sygdom.
Mange oplever kroniske lidelser.
§ Key Differences
'Smitte' (noun): Refers to the contagion itself or the act of transmitting/getting infected. It's about the spread. 'Infektion' (noun): A medical term for the presence of pathogens in the body. It's about the internal biological state. 'Sygdom' (noun): A general term for any illness or disease. 'Lidelse' (noun): Often implies chronic suffering or a specific affliction. 'At smitte' (verb): To infect, to contaminate, to spread (can be literal or figurative).
§ When to Use 'Smitte'
The general risk of catching something: 'risiko for smitte' (risk of contagion). The act of one person infecting another: 'Han smittede mig.' (He infected me.) The spread of something, even non-medical: 'Glæden smittede af.' (The joy spread/was contagious.)
Exemples par niveau
Sygdommen spredte smitte.
The disease spread contagion.
Der er risiko for smitte.
There is a risk of infection.
Undgå smitte.
Avoid infection.
Hvordan undgår man smitte?
How does one avoid infection?
Smitte kan være farlig.
Infection can be dangerous.
Vask hænder for at mindske smitte.
Wash hands to reduce contagion.
Er der smitte i luften?
Is there infection in the air?
Vi skal stoppe smitten.
We must stop the contagion.
Sygdommen spreder sig hurtigt på grund af smitte.
The disease spreads quickly due to contagion.
Here, 'smitte' is a noun in the singular definite form ('smitte').
Der er risiko for smitte, hvis man ikke vasker hænder.
There is a risk of infection if one does not wash hands.
'Smitte' is used as a common noun.
Lægen anbefalede isolation for at undgå smitte.
The doctor recommended isolation to avoid contagion.
Used with the preposition 'for at' (in order to) + infinitive.
De er bange for smitte i skolen.
They are afraid of infection at school.
Used with the preposition 'for' (of/for).
Hygiejne er vigtig for at forhindre smitte.
Hygiene is important to prevent infection.
Used as a direct object after 'forhindre' (prevent).
En vaccination kan beskytte mod smitte.
A vaccination can protect against contagion.
Used with the preposition 'mod' (against).
Han er i karantæne på grund af mulig smitte.
He is in quarantine due to possible infection.
Used with the phrase 'på grund af' (because of/due to).
Der er ingen tegn på smitte i gruppen.
There are no signs of infection in the group.
Used with the preposition 'på' (on/of).
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsWhile both relate to getting sick, 'smitte' (contagion/transmission) focuses on the *spread* of something, often a disease. 'Infektion' (infection) refers to the *state* of having a disease caused by germs. So, you can have 'smitte' without 'infektion' if you're a carrier, and 'infektion' is the result of 'smitte'.
You can use it like this:
- 'Smittefaren er høj.' (The risk of contagion is high.)
- 'Han spredte smitte.' (He spread infection/contagion.)
- 'Vi skal undgå smitte.' (We must avoid contagion.)
Yes, 'smitte' can be used metaphorically for the spread of abstract things like enthusiasm or ideas, though it's less common than for diseases. For example, 'Hans glæde var smitsom.' (His joy was contagious.)
Some common phrases include:
- 'Smittefare' (risk of contagion)
- 'Smitsom sygdom' (contagious disease)
- 'Smittebærer' (carrier of infection)
- 'Smittekilde' (source of infection)
The verb form is 'smitte' as well. It means 'to infect' or 'to transmit'. For example, 'Han smittede mig med en forkølelse.' (He infected me with a cold.)
It's pronounced roughly like 'smee-deh'. The 'i' is a short 'ee' sound, and the 'tt' is like a soft 'd' sound in Danish.
'Smitte' is a common gender noun, so it uses the article 'en'. For example, 'en smitte'.
For the literal sense of disease transmission, 'infektion' is closely related. For the more general idea of spread, you might sometimes use 'udbredelse' (spread) or 'spredning' (spreading), but they don't carry the same health-related connotation.
'Immun' means immune. If you are 'immun', you are resistant to 'smitte'. So, 'Man kan blive immun mod smitte.' (One can become immune to contagion.)
'Virus' is a type of germ that causes disease, whereas 'smitte' is the *act* or *result* of transmitting that germ or disease. A virus can cause smitte.
Teste-toi 54 questions
I have infection.
Avoid contagion.
There is a risk of infection.
Read this aloud:
Jeg vil undgå smitte.
Focus: smitte
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Er der smitte her?
Focus: smitte
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Ingen smitte, tak.
Focus: smitte
Tu as dit :
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Hvilket ord betyder 'contagion' eller 'infection'?
'Smitte' means contagion or infection. The other words mean health, medicine, and fever respectively.
En person med influenza kan sprede ______ til andre.
Influenza is an infectious disease, so a person with it can spread 'smitte' (contagion/infection) to others.
At vaske hænder er vigtigt for at undgå ______.
Washing hands helps prevent the spread of 'smitte' (contagion/infection).
Ordet 'smitte' refererer til en sygdoms overførsel.
Yes, 'smitte' refers to the transmission of a disease, or the infection itself.
Du kan bruge ordet 'smitte' om en god stemning.
No, 'smitte' is typically used for the spread of disease or infection, not for positive feelings like a good atmosphere.
At holde afstand kan reducere risikoen for smitte.
Yes, maintaining distance (social distancing) is a common way to reduce the risk of 'smitte' (contagion).
What should you do to avoid infection?
Where is there a risk of contagion?
How does the illness spread?
Read this aloud:
Hvordan undgår man smitte?
Focus: smitte
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Kan smitte spredes hurtigt?
Focus: spredes
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Er der smittefare her?
Focus: smittefare
Tu as dit :
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This sentence means 'Infection is dangerous'. 'Smitte' is the subject, 'er' is the verb 'is', and 'farlig' is the adjective 'dangerous'.
This sentence means 'You must avoid infection'. 'Du' is 'you', 'skal' means 'must', 'undgå' is 'avoid', and 'smitte' is 'infection'.
This means 'Infection can be a threat'. 'Smitte' (infection) is the subject, 'kan være' means 'can be', and 'en trussel' means 'a threat'.
Lægerne arbejder hårdt på at begrænse ___.
In this context, 'smitte' (contagion/infection) fits best as something doctors try to limit.
For at undgå ___, bør man vaske hænder ofte.
Washing hands frequently is a common method to prevent 'smitte' (infection).
Epidemien spredte sig hurtigt, og ___ var svær at stoppe.
In an epidemic, it is the 'smitte' (contagion) that is difficult to stop.
Der var frygt for ___ i børnehaven efter flere syge børn.
When several children are sick in a kindergarten, 'smitte' (infection) is a natural concern.
Myndighederne indførte restriktioner for at reducere faren for ___.
Restrictions are often put in place by authorities to reduce the risk of 'smitte' (contagion).
Patienten blev isoleret for at forhindre yderligere ___.
A patient is isolated to prevent further 'smitte' (infection) to others.
Imagine you are a health official. Write a short public announcement (3-4 sentences) about preventing the spread of a common cold. Use the word 'smitte' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
For at forebygge smitte med forkølelse er god håndhygiejne afgørende. Vask dine hænder ofte med sæbe og vand. Undgå at røre ved dit ansigt, især øjne, næse og mund, da dette kan overføre smitte. Bliv hjemme, hvis du føler dig syg for at beskytte andre.
You are writing an email to a friend who is worried about a recent flu outbreak. Explain what 'smitte' means in this context and offer some advice. (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hej [Vens navn], jeg hørte om influenzaudbruddet, og jeg forstår, at du er bekymret. I denne sammenhæng betyder 'smitte' overførsel af sygdommen fra én person til en anden. Det er en god idé at blive vaccineret, hvis du ikke allerede er det, da det kan reducere risikoen for smitte betydeligt. Pas på dig selv!
Describe a situation where the word 'smitte' could be used in a figurative sense, not just literally about disease. (2-3 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Glæde kan også sprede sig som en smitte. Når én person er glad, kan deres positive energi smitte af på andre i rummet. Det er en dejlig form for smitte at opleve.
Hvilket råd gives der for at begrænse smittespredningen?
Read this passage:
En ny undersøgelse viser, at risikoen for smitte med visse luftvejsinfektioner er markant højere i tætbefolkede områder. Eksperter anbefaler brug af mundbind og hyppig udluftning for at begrænse smittespredningen. Det er vigtigt at forstå, hvordan smitte opstår, for effektivt at kunne beskytte sig selv og andre.
Hvilket råd gives der for at begrænse smittespredningen?
Passagen nævner specifikt 'brug af mundbind og hyppig udluftning' som anbefalinger for at begrænse smittespredningen.
Passagen nævner specifikt 'brug af mundbind og hyppig udluftning' som anbefalinger for at begrænse smittespredningen.
Hvad er den primære bekymring ved stigende turisme ifølge teksten?
Read this passage:
Læger advarer om, at den stigende turisme kan øge risikoen for international smitte af sjældne sygdomme. Det er afgørende, at rejsende er opmærksomme på lokale sundhedsrisici og tager de nødvendige forholdsregler for at undgå smitte. Myndighederne overvejer skærpede screeningsprocedurer i lufthavnene.
Hvad er den primære bekymring ved stigende turisme ifølge teksten?
Teksten siger direkte, at 'den stigende turisme kan øge risikoen for international smitte af sjældne sygdomme'.
Teksten siger direkte, at 'den stigende turisme kan øge risikoen for international smitte af sjældne sygdomme'.
Hvordan sker smitte med influenza primært ifølge teksten?
Read this passage:
Selvom influenza ofte anses for at være en harmløs sygdom, kan den i visse tilfælde føre til alvorlige komplikationer. Smitte sker primært via dråber, når en inficeret person hoster eller nyser. Derfor er det vigtigt at holde afstand og dække mund og næse ved hoste eller nys for at minimere smitterisikoen.
Hvordan sker smitte med influenza primært ifølge teksten?
Passagen angiver, at 'Smitte sker primært via dråber, når en inficeret person hoster eller nyser'.
Passagen angiver, at 'Smitte sker primært via dråber, når en inficeret person hoster eller nyser'.
Influenzavirusset havde en høj ___.
Here, 'smitte' refers to the contagiousness or rate of transmission of the influenza virus.
For at undgå yderligere ___ blev skolen lukket midlertidigt.
In this context, 'smitte' means the spread of infection among students.
Lægerne var bekymrede for den hurtige ___ af den nye virus.
Here, 'smitte' describes the rapid spread or transmission of the new virus.
God hygiejne er afgørende for at bryde ___kæden.
'Smittekæden' (chain of infection) is a common phrase where 'smitte' refers to the infection.
Der er en risiko for ___ hvis du er i tæt kontakt med den syge.
In this sentence, 'smitte' denotes the possibility of contracting the infection from close contact.
Myndighederne anbefalede isolering for at minimere ___ i befolkningen.
Here, 'smitte' refers to the infection or contagion within the population.
Listen for how 'smitte' is used in the context of risk.
Listen for what the doctor emphasized regarding 'smitte'.
Listen for when 'smitte' of influenza is most common.
Read this aloud:
Jeg er bekymret for smitten på arbejdspladsen.
Focus: smit-ten
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Hvilke foranstaltninger tager du for at undgå smitte?
Focus: for-an-stal-ting-er
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Der er en risiko for smitte, hvis du ikke er forsigtig.
Focus: ris-i-ko
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes a rapid contagion requiring immediate action. 'Den hurtige smitte' acts as the subject, followed by the verb 'krævede' (demanded), and then the object 'øjeblikkelig handling' (immediate action).
This sentence means 'The authorities were concerned about the risk of contagion in large gatherings.' 'Myndighederne' (the authorities) is the subject, 'bekymrede sig' (were concerned) is the verb phrase, and 'for smitterisikoen i store forsamlinger' (about the risk of contagion in large gatherings) is the prepositional phrase detailing their concern.
This translates to 'A new form of contagion spread unnoticed.' 'En ny form for smitte' (a new form of contagion) is the subject, 'spredte sig' (spread) is the verb, and 'ubemærket' (unnoticed) describes how it spread.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Smitte is a crucial word to understand when discussing health and the spread of illnesses in Danish.
- contagion
- infection
- transmission
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A1The front part of the head
apotek
A2a shop where medicine is sold
arm
A1The upper limb of the human body
behandle
B1to treat or deal with
belastning
B2burden or load, often mental or physical
ben
A1The lower limb of the human body
bevidsthed
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bevidstløs
B1Not awake and aware.
bleg
A2pale
deprimeret
B2feeling sad or despondent
