When we talk about a 'voksen' (adult) in Danish, it's generally a straightforward term for someone who is no longer a child or teenager. It's often used in contrast to 'børn' (children) or 'unge' (youth/young people). You might hear it in contexts like 'voksne og børn' (adults and children) or when referring to age restrictions. While it can imply maturity, its primary meaning is simply a grown person.
When you're speaking Danish at a C2 level, you'll want to use "voksen" precisely. While it broadly means "adult," at this advanced stage, you might delve into its nuances. Consider contexts where you want to emphasize maturity, legal adulthood, or a stage of life beyond childhood or adolescence. It's often used adjectivally to describe things related to adults, such as "voksenuddannelse" (adult education).
§ Meaning of voksen
- Danish Word
- voksen
- Grammar
- Noun (en-word), common gender. Also functions as an adjective.
- English Definition
- A fully grown person; an adult.
§ How to use voksen as a noun
When "voksen" is a noun, it means "an adult." It's an 'en-word', meaning it takes 'en' as its indefinite article.
- Singular indefinite: en voksen (an adult)
- Singular definite: den voksne (the adult)
- Plural indefinite: voksne (adults)
- Plural definite: de voksne (the adults)
Der var kun én voksen til stede. (There was only one adult present.)
De spurgte den voksne om hjælp. (They asked the adult for help.)
Alle voksne skal betale fuld pris. (All adults must pay full price.)
Hvor er de voksne? (Where are the adults?)
§ How to use voksen as an adjective
When "voksen" is an adjective, it means "adult" or "grown-up." It changes form to agree with the noun it describes. Luckily, it's quite simple:
- Common gender singular (en-words): voksen (e.g., en voksen mand - an adult man)
- Neuter gender singular (et-words): voksent (e.g., et voksent menneske - an adult human)
- Plural for all genders: voksne (e.g., voksne kvinder - adult women)
Han er en voksen mand. (He is an adult man.)
Det er et voksent problem. (It is an adult problem / a grown-up problem.)
Vi har brug for voksne beslutninger. (We need adult decisions.)
§ Common phrases with voksen
Here are a few common ways you'll hear and use "voksen" in Danish:
- At være voksen: To be an adult/grown-up.
- Blive voksen: To become an adult/grow up.
- En voksen nok til: Old enough to.
Han er endelig voksen nu. (He is finally an adult now.)
Hvornår tror du, han vil blive voksen? (When do you think he will grow up?)
Er du voksen nok til at tage den beslutning? (Are you adult enough to make that decision?)
§ Understanding "voksen"
The Danish word "voksen" generally means an adult or a grown-up. It's pretty straightforward, but like many words, its exact nuance can change slightly depending on the context. Let's break it down.
- DEFINITION
- a fully grown person
Han er en voksen mand nu.
This translates to "He is a grown man now." Here, "voksen" clearly indicates maturity and adulthood. It's commonly used to distinguish someone who is no longer a child or teenager.
Skal jeg tale med en voksen?
This means "Should I speak to an adult?" In this sentence, "voksen" functions as a noun, referring to a responsible grown-up.
§ Similar Words and Alternatives
While "voksen" is your go-to for "adult," Danish has other words that can overlap or be used in specific contexts. Let's look at some.
- Mand/Kvinde (Man/Woman): These are gender-specific terms for adults. You'd use these when the gender is relevant.
En mand og en kvinde gik tur.
This translates to "A man and a woman went for a walk." Here, you're specifying gender. If you just said "to voksne," it would mean "two adults" without specifying gender.
- Fuldvoksen (Fully grown): This word emphasizes the completion of growth, often used for animals or plants, but can also be used for humans to stress full maturity.
Den elefant er fuldvoksen.
"That elephant is fully grown." While you could say "Den elefant er voksen," "fuldvoksen" adds a bit more emphasis on the complete development.
- Myndig (Of legal age/competent): This word refers to someone who has reached the age of majority and has full legal rights and responsibilities.
Han blev myndig sidste år.
"He came of age last year." You wouldn't use "voksen" here to convey the legal aspect. While someone who is myndig is also voksen, "myndig" specifically points to legal status.
§ Practical Usage Scenarios
When should you definitely use "voksen"?
- General reference to adults: When you're simply talking about people who are not children.
Der er kun voksne til stede.
"Only adults are present." This is a simple and direct use.
- When contrasting with children: "Voksen" is perfect for this.
Børn og voksne er velkomne.
"Children and adults are welcome." This clear distinction is very common.
- When describing mature behavior: As an adjective, "voksen" can imply maturity and responsibility.
Det var en meget voksen beslutning.
"That was a very adult decision." This implies a responsible and thoughtful choice.
In summary, "voksen" is a versatile and common word. Start with it when you need to say "adult" in Danish, and then consider the alternatives if you need to add specific nuances like gender, legal status, or biological completeness. You'll hear and use "voksen" a lot, so getting comfortable with it is a good step.
Niveau de difficulté
Short, common word.
Straightforward spelling.
Common pronunciation, no tricky sounds.
Frequently heard in everyday conversation.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Nouns in Danish have grammatical gender: common (n-words) or neuter (t-words). 'Voksen' is a common noun.
en voksen (a grown-up)
Definite singular nouns are formed by adding a suffix. For common nouns, it's '-en'.
voksen (grown-up) -> voksen+en = voksenen (the grown-up)
Indefinite plural nouns usually end in '-e' or '-er' for common nouns. 'Voksen' takes '-e'.
en voksen (a grown-up) -> flere voksne (several grown-ups)
Definite plural nouns are formed by adding '-ne' to the indefinite plural form.
voksne (grown-ups) -> de voksne (the grown-ups)
The word 'voksen' can also be used as an adjective, meaning 'adult' or 'grown-up'.
en voksen mand (an adult man), en voksen kvinde (an adult woman)
Exemples par niveau
Han er en voksen.
He is an adult.
Hun er ikke et barn, hun er en voksen.
She is not a child, she is an adult.
Jeg er en voksen.
I am an adult.
Vi er voksne.
We are adults.
Er du en voksen?
Are you an adult?
Manden er voksen.
The man is adult.
Kvinden er voksen.
The woman is adult.
De er voksne mennesker.
They are adult people.
Han er en voksen mand nu.
He is a grown man now.
Indefinite form of the noun.
Som voksen har man mere ansvar.
As an adult, one has more responsibility.
Singular, indefinite form.
Børn og voksne hyggede sig til festen.
Children and adults enjoyed themselves at the party.
Plural form of the noun.
Hun føler sig som en voksen, selvom hun kun er 16.
She feels like an adult, even though she is only 16.
Indefinite form of the noun.
Det er vigtigt at lytte til både børn og voksne.
It is important to listen to both children and adults.
Plural form of the noun.
En voksen person kan tage sine egne beslutninger.
An adult person can make their own decisions.
Used as an adjective here, but still referring to the noun concept.
Vi behandler dig som en voksen.
We treat you like an adult.
Indefinite form of the noun.
De voksne taler sammen, mens børnene leger.
The adults are talking, while the children are playing.
Definite plural form of the noun.
Det kræver en voksen tilgang at håndtere sådan en situation, hvor følelserne let kan løbe af med én, og objektivitet er afgørende for at nå en retfærdig løsning.
It requires an adult approach to handle such a situation, where emotions can easily take over, and objectivity is crucial to reach a fair solution.
Selvom hun kun er 17, udviser hun en modenhed og et overblik, som man sjældent ser hos selv voksne med betydelig livserfaring.
Although she is only 17, she shows a maturity and overview rarely seen in adults with significant life experience.
For at sikre bæredygtig udvikling er det essentielt, at voksne generationer tager et medansvar for at bevare klodens ressourcer for fremtidige slægter, selvom det indebærer midlertidige afkald.
To ensure sustainable development, it is essential that adult generations take co-responsibility for preserving the planet's resources for future generations, even if it involves temporary sacrifices.
Under den intense debat fremkom det tydeligt, at de voksne deltagere havde svært ved at nå til enighed, hvilket understregede kompleksiteten af emnet og de divergerende interesser.
During the intense debate, it became clear that the adult participants had difficulty reaching an agreement, which underscored the complexity of the topic and the divergent interests.
En voksen opgave for mange er at lære at skelne mellem konstruktiv kritik og unødig negativitet, en evne der er fundamental for personlig og professionel vækst i en omskiftelig verden.
A grown-up task for many is to learn to distinguish between constructive criticism and unnecessary negativity, a skill fundamental for personal and professional growth in a changing world.
De voksne i landsbyen har i årevis kæmpet for at bevare deres lokale skole, idet de anser den for en uundværlig institution for både børns trivsel og samfundets sammenhængskraft.
The adults in the village have fought for years to preserve their local school, considering it an indispensable institution for both children's well-being and the community's cohesion.
På trods af hans unge alder, taler han med en visdom og autoritet, der får mange voksne til at lytte opmærksomt, når han formidler sine velovervejede synspunkter.
Despite his young age, he speaks with a wisdom and authority that makes many adults listen attentively when he conveys his well-considered views.
For at opnå en dybere forståelse af den menneskelige psyke er det afgørende at erkende, at barndommens oplevelser ofte former den voksnes adfærd og reaktioner på uforudsete begivenheder.
To achieve a deeper understanding of the human psyche, it is crucial to recognize that childhood experiences often shape the adult's behavior and reactions to unforeseen events.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
Er du voksen?
Are you an adult? (informal)
Han er en voksen mand nu.
He is an adult man now.
Som voksen har man mange pligter.
As an adult, one has many duties.
Det er kun for voksne.
It is only for adults.
Jeg føler mig ikke altid voksen.
I don't always feel like an adult.
Børn og voksne leger sammen.
Children and adults play together.
Hun er en meget voksen pige.
She is a very mature girl. (literally: adult girl)
Hvad vil du være, når du bliver voksen?
What do you want to be when you grow up? (literally: when you become adult)
Voksne tænker ofte anderledes end børn.
Adults often think differently than children.
En voksen kan træffe sine egne beslutninger.
An adult can make their own decisions.
Modèles grammaticaux
Structures de phrases
Jeg er en voksen.
I am an adult. (Literally: I am a grown-up.)
Er du en voksen?
Are you an adult?
Han er en voksen mand.
He is an adult man.
Hun er en voksen kvinde.
She is an adult woman.
De er voksne.
They are adults.
Som voksen har man ansvar.
As an adult, one has responsibility.
Børn bliver voksne med tiden.
Children become adults over time.
Det er vigtigt at handle som en voksen.
It is important to act like an adult.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYou pronounce 'voksen' as 'VOHK-sen'. The 'o' is like the 'o' in 'go', and the 'e' is a soft 'uh' sound.
In Danish, 'voksen' is generally treated as a common gender noun. You'd say en voksen (a grown-up).
Yes, it can. For example, you could talk about a voksen plante (a grown plant) or a voksen hund (a grown dog).
The plural of 'voksen' is voksne. So, en voksen (one grown-up) becomes flere voksne (several grown-ups).
Here's an example: Hun er en voksen kvinde. (She is a grown woman.) Or: Jeg er voksen nok til at træffe mine egne beslutninger. (I am grown enough to make my own decisions.)
Voksen means 'grown-up' or 'adult', referring to someone who has reached maturity. Ældre means 'older' or 'elderly'. So, an 'ældre voksen' would be an older adult.
Yes, it can. When used as an adjective, it means 'adult' or 'grown-up'. For example, voksen adfærd (adult behavior).
Legally, the age of majority in Denmark is 18, so at that point, you are considered voksen in the eyes of the law.
A common phrase is at blive voksen, which means 'to grow up' or 'to become an adult'. Another one is voksenlivet, which means 'adult life'.
The most common opposite of 'voksen' would be barn (child) or ung (young).
Teste-toi 48 questions
Write a short sentence saying you are an adult.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jeg er voksen.
Write a short sentence about an adult man.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
En mand er voksen.
Write a short sentence about an adult woman.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
En kvinde er voksen.
Hvem er voksen i teksten?
Read this passage:
Jeg er en voksen mand. Min søster er også voksen. Vi arbejder i byen.
Hvem er voksen i teksten?
Both the man and his sister are described as 'voksen' (adult).
Both the man and his sister are described as 'voksen' (adult).
Hvad har vennen?
Read this passage:
Min ven er voksen. Han har et hus og en bil. Han er meget glad.
Hvad har vennen?
The text states 'Han har et hus og en bil' (He has a house and a car).
The text states 'Han har et hus og en bil' (He has a house and a car).
Hvor gammel er personen?
Read this passage:
Er du voksen? Ja, jeg er voksen. Jeg er 25 år gammel.
Hvor gammel er personen?
The text explicitly states 'Jeg er 25 år gammel' (I am 25 years old).
The text explicitly states 'Jeg er 25 år gammel' (I am 25 years old).
This sentence introduces the concept of an adult being large.
This is a simple sentence to state 'I am an adult'.
This sentence indicates that an adult can read.
Min søster er ikke et barn længere, hun er en ___. (My sister is no longer a child, she is an ___.)
'Voksen' means a grown person.
Som ___, har jeg mange ansvar. (As an ___, I have many responsibilities.)
'Voksen' refers to an adult.
Man bliver ___ når man er 18 år i Danmark. (You become an ___ when you are 18 years old in Denmark.)
At 18, one legally becomes an adult in Denmark.
De har brug for en ___ til at hjælpe dem. (They need an ___ to help them.)
An adult is often needed for help or guidance.
Er du en ___ eller et barn? (Are you an ___ or a child?)
This question asks if someone is an adult or a child.
En ___ betaler skat. (An ___ pays taxes.)
Paying taxes is typically a responsibility of an adult.
Which of these words means 'adult'?
'Voksen' is the Danish word for 'adult'. 'Barn' means child, 'dyr' means animal, and 'plante' means plant.
In Danish, if someone is no longer a child, they are a(n) ______.
Once you're past childhood, you are considered a 'voksen' (adult).
Which sentence uses 'voksen' correctly?
'Han er en voksen mand' means 'He is an adult man'. The other options don't make sense grammatically or contextually.
A 'voksen' is typically taller than a 'barn'.
Generally, an adult ('voksen') is taller than a child ('barn').
You become a 'voksen' when you are born.
You are a baby when you are born, not an adult ('voksen').
The word 'voksen' can describe a fully grown animal.
While often used for humans, 'voksen' can also describe a fully grown animal, for example, 'en voksen kat' (an adult cat).
He is a grown man now.
Are you grown up enough to make your own decision?
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Read this aloud:
Jeg er en voksen.
Focus: voksen
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Hun er en voksen kvinde.
Focus: kvinde
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Er du voksen?
Focus: voksen
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence describing someone who is grown up, using the word 'voksen'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min mor er en voksen kvinde.
Complete the sentence: 'Et barn bliver til en ___.' (A child becomes an ___.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Et barn bliver til en voksen.
Write a sentence saying that your brother is an adult.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min bror er voksen nu.
Hvad ønsker unge mennesker ofte, når de vil være voksne?
Read this passage:
Mange unge mennesker ønsker at blive voksne hurtigt. De vil have frihed og tage deres egne beslutninger. At være voksen betyder også ansvar. De skal arbejde og betale regninger.
Hvad ønsker unge mennesker ofte, når de vil være voksne?
Passagen siger, at unge mennesker vil have frihed og tage deres egne beslutninger.
Passagen siger, at unge mennesker vil have frihed og tage deres egne beslutninger.
Hvad er typisk for en voksen person ifølge teksten?
Read this passage:
En voksen person har ofte et job og bor for sig selv. De kan købe det, de vil, men de skal også sørge for mad og rent tøj. Det er en del af det at være voksen.
Hvad er typisk for en voksen person ifølge teksten?
Teksten nævner, at en voksen person 'har ofte et job og bor for sig selv'.
Teksten nævner, at en voksen person 'har ofte et job og bor for sig selv'.
Hvor gammel er søsteren?
Read this passage:
Min søster er voksen nu. Hun er 25 år gammel og arbejder som lærer. Hun bor i en lejlighed i København. Hun kan godt lide at lave mad og rejse.
Hvor gammel er søsteren?
Teksten siger: 'Hun er 25 år gammel'.
Teksten siger: 'Hun er 25 år gammel'.
Da jeg var et barn, ville jeg bare være en ___.
The sentence translates to 'When I was a child, I just wanted to be an adult.' 'Voksen' means adult.
En ___ har ofte mere ansvar end et barn.
The sentence translates to 'An adult often has more responsibility than a child.' 'Voksen' means adult.
Min mor er en klog og erfaren ___.
The sentence translates to 'My mother is a wise and experienced adult.' 'Voksen' means adult.
At blive ___ betyder at tage sig af sig selv.
The sentence translates to 'Becoming an adult means taking care of oneself.' 'Voksen' means adult.
Det er vigtigt at lytte til råd fra en ___.
The sentence translates to 'It's important to listen to advice from an adult.' 'Voksen' means adult.
Efter sin eksamen følte hun sig endelig som en rigtig ___.
The sentence translates to 'After her exam, she finally felt like a real adult.' 'Voksen' means adult.
This sentence talks about the importance of exercise for adults.
This sentence discusses the difference in responsibility between adults and children.
This sentence describes the transition from youth to adulthood.
Read this aloud:
Hvorfor er det vigtigt at være en ansvarlig voksen i samfundet?
Focus: ansvarlig, voksen, samfundet
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Beskriv en situation, hvor en voksen handlede umodent, og hvad konsekvenserne var.
Focus: umodent, konsekvenserne
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Diskuter fordelene og ulemperne ved at være voksen i dagens Danmark.
Focus: fordelene, ulemperne, dagens Danmark
Tu as dit :
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/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
