Overview
The Danish word 'tjene' (pronounced approximately as 'TYEH-nuh') is a versatile verb primarily meaning 'to earn' or 'to serve'. When used in the context of 'to earn money', it directly translates to 'to earn' in English. It's a regular verb, making its conjugation relatively straightforward compared to some irregular Danish verbs.
* **Infinitive:** at tjene (to earn/to serve)
- Present Tense (Nutid): tjener (earns/serves) - Example: Jeg tjener penge. (I earn money.)
- Past Tense (Datid/Præteritum): tjente (earned/served) - Example: Han tjente mange penge sidste år. (He earned a lot of money last year.)
- Present Perfect (Førnutid): har tjent (has earned/served) - Example: Vi har tjent nok. (We have earned enough.)
- Past Perfect (Førdatid): havde tjent (had earned/served) - Example: De havde tjent en formue før krisen. (They had earned a fortune before the crisis.)
- Imperative (Bydeform): Tjen! (Earn!/Serve!) - This form is less common for 'earning money' but can be used in other contexts of 'serving'.
**Usage in 'To Earn Money':**
When referring specifically to earning money, 'tjene' is almost always followed by 'penge' (money).
* **Examples:**
- 'Jeg tjener gode penge.' (I earn good money.)
- 'Hvor meget tjener du om måneden?' (How much do you earn per month?)
- 'Man kan tjene penge på mange måder.' (One can earn money in many ways.)
- 'Det er vigtigt at tjene til livets ophold.' (It is important to earn a living.)
**Other Meanings of 'Tjene':**
While 'to earn' is a primary meaning, 'tjene' also means 'to serve' in various contexts:
* **To serve (a purpose/function):**
- 'Dette værktøj tjener et godt formål.' (This tool serves a good purpose.)
- 'Hvad skal det tjene til?' (What's that supposed to achieve/serve?)
* **To serve (a person/customer):**
- 'Han tjener hos en rig familie.' (He serves with a rich family - old-fashioned for 'works for' or 'is employed by').
- 'Kan jeg tjene Dem?' (Can I serve you? - very formal, often used by staff in shops or restaurants).
* **To serve (in the military):**
- 'Han tjente i militæret.' (He served in the military.)
**Common Phrases:**
- 'at tjene til livets ophold': to earn a living.
- 'at tjene på noget': to profit from something, to gain from something.
- 'at tjene som eksempel': to serve as an example.
- 'at tjene sig op': to work one's way up, to earn one's way.
In summary, 'tjene' is a fundamental Danish verb with core meanings of 'to earn' and 'to serve', with its most frequent application in financial contexts being 'at tjene penge' (to earn money).
Exemples
Han tjener mange penge på sit nye arbejde.
workHe earns a lot of money in his new job.
Hun tjente sig selv rig på aktiemarkedet.
financeShe made herself rich on the stock market.
Hvor meget tjener du om måneden?
salary inquiryHow much do you earn per month?
De tjener til livets ophold ved at fiske.
livelihoodThey make a living by fishing.
Jeg tjener ikke nok til at betale alle regningerne.
financial struggleI don't earn enough to pay all the bills.
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Comment l'utiliser
The verb 'tjene' is quite versatile in Danish, extending beyond just earning money. While its primary meaning is 'to earn' or 'to make money' (e.g., 'at tjene penge' - to earn money; 'han tjener godt' - he earns well), it can also mean 'to serve' in various contexts. For instance, 'at tjene en sag' means 'to serve a cause,' 'at tjene en dom' means 'to serve a sentence,' and 'at tjene sit land' means 'to serve one's country.' When used in the context of money, it's generally a straightforward and common verb. There are no particular euphemisms directly replacing 'tjene' when referring to financial earnings, though phrases like 'at få løn' (to get salary) or 'at have en indkomst' (to have an income) are also used depending on the specific nuance. It's important to distinguish it from 'fortjene,' which means 'to deserve.' So, you 'tjener' money, but you 'fortjener' a reward.
Danish learners often confuse 'tjene' with 'fortjene'. While 'tjene' specifically means to earn money or a living, 'fortjene' means to deserve or merit something. For example, 'Jeg tjener mange penge' (I earn a lot of money) vs. 'Du fortjener en pause' (You deserve a break). Another common error is using 'få' (to get) instead of 'tjene' when talking about income. Although 'få penge' is grammatically correct, 'tjene penge' is the more appropriate and natural way to express the act of earning money through work or effort. Additionally, pronunciation can be tricky; ensure the 'j' is pronounced like the 'y' in 'yes' and the 'e's are soft.
Origine du mot
From Old Norse *þénian, from Proto-Germanic *þaznan (to serve, to be subject), cognate with Old English þegnian (to serve, to minister), Old High German deganōn (to serve), Gothic þius (servant). The sense of 'to earn' developed from the idea of serving for wages.
Contexte culturel
In Denmark, the concept of 'tjene' (to earn money) is deeply intertwined with the strong welfare state and a high degree of social equality. While individual achievement is valued, there's also a collective understanding that a significant portion of earnings contributes to the common good through taxes, funding public services like healthcare, education, and social security. Discussions around 'tjene' often involve reflections on fair wages, work-life balance (Denmark consistently ranks high in this area), and the ethical implications of different income levels. There isn't as pronounced a 'get rich quick' culture as in some other countries; rather, steady employment, reasonable income, and a comfortable, secure lifestyle are generally prioritized.
Astuce mémo
Visualize a 'TJE'st (chest) full of money you 'NE'ed (need) to earn. So, 'TJE-NE' means to earn money.
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsThe Danish word for 'to earn money' is 'tjene'.
The conjugation of 'tjene' in Danish is as follows: * **Present tense:** jeg tjener, du tjener, han/hun/den/det tjener, vi tjener, I tjener, de tjener * **Past tense:** jeg tjente, du tjente, han/hun/den/det tjente, vi tjente, I tjente, de tjente * **Perfect tense:** jeg har tjent, du har tjent, han/hun/den/det har tjent, vi har tjent, I har tjent, de har tjent * **Future tense:** jeg vil tjene, du vil tjene, han/hun/den/det vil tjene, vi vil tjene, I vil tjene, de vil tjene
Certainly! Here are a few examples: * **Jeg tjener mange penge.** (I earn a lot of money.) * **Han tjente godt som læge.** (He earned well as a doctor.) * **De har tjent en formue på aktier.** (They have earned a fortune on stocks.) * **Vi vil tjene mere i fremtiden.** (We will earn more in the future.)
Yes, while 'tjene' primarily means 'to earn money', it can also be used in other contexts, such as: * **To serve:** For example, 'tjene sit land' (to serve one's country) or 'tjene som soldat' (to serve as a soldier). * **To be useful/beneficial:** For instance, 'det vil tjene dig godt' (that will serve you well) or 'en opfindelse der tjener menneskeheden' (an invention that serves humanity). * **To win/gain:** Although less common, it can sometimes be used to mean 'to win' or 'to gain' something, like 'tjene respekt' (to gain respect).
Exemples
5 sur 5Han tjener mange penge på sit nye arbejde.
He earns a lot of money in his new job.
Hun tjente sig selv rig på aktiemarkedet.
She made herself rich on the stock market.
Hvor meget tjener du om måneden?
How much do you earn per month?
De tjener til livets ophold ved at fiske.
They make a living by fishing.
Jeg tjener ikke nok til at betale alle regningerne.
I don't earn enough to pay all the bills.
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