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C1 adjective 8 min read

åbenbar

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips åbenbar in 30 Seconds

Explanation åbenbar in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'åbenbar' is quite difficult. You don't need to use it yourself yet. Instead, focus on the word 'åben' (open) and 'klar' (clear). If you see 'åbenbar', just think of it as a very strong way to say 'clear' or 'obvious'. For example, if someone says 'Det er åbenbart', they mean 'It is clear'. You might hear it in very simple TV shows or see it in headlines. Just remember it is an adjective that describes something you can see very easily. Don't worry about the grammar rules for it yet; just recognize that it means 'obvious'.

At the A2 level, you can start to recognize the difference between 'åben' (like an open door) and 'åbenbar' (like an obvious mistake). You should know that 'åbenbar' is an adjective. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Det er en åbenbar fejl' (It is an obvious mistake). You should also be aware that 'åbenbart' is a very common word that Danes use to mean 'apparently'. You will hear people say 'Han er åbenbart ikke hjemme' (He is apparently not home). At this level, try to spot the word in reading exercises and understand its basic meaning of 'obvious'.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'åbenbar' in your writing and speaking to sound more natural. You should understand how it changes based on the noun: 'en åbenbar sandhed' (common gender) and 'et åbenbart problem' (neuter). You should also begin to distinguish between 'åbenbar' (obvious) and 'tydelig' (clear). Use 'åbenbar' when you want to emphasize that something is so clear that everyone can see it. You should also be comfortable with the adverb 'åbenbart' meaning 'apparently', as this appears in almost every daily conversation in Denmark.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'åbenbar' with precision. You should use it in more formal contexts, such as when writing an essay or giving a presentation. You should know that it is a 'strong' word. If you call something 'åbenbar', you are saying there is no doubt. You should also be familiar with the plural form 'åbenbare' and use it correctly: 'De åbenbare konsekvenser' (The obvious consequences). You should also understand the related noun 'en åbenbaring' (a revelation) and how it fits into the same word family. At this level, your goal is to use 'åbenbar' to add variety to your vocabulary and avoid overusing 'klar' or 'tydelig'.

At the C1 level, which is where 'åbenbar' truly belongs, you should understand its nuances in legal, academic, and literary contexts. You should be able to use it to describe abstract concepts, like 'åbenbar uretfærdighed' (manifest injustice). You should also be aware of its role in formal phrases like 'åbenbart grundløs'. At this level, you should be able to choose between 'åbenbar', 'indlysende', and 'evident' based on the specific context and the level of formality you want to achieve. You should also have a solid grasp of the historical and etymological connection to 'revelation' and how that colors the word's usage in modern Danish.

At the C2 level, you should have a native-like command of 'åbenbar'. This includes understanding its use in classical literature and philosophical texts. You should be able to use it rhetorically to emphasize the self-evidence of a point in a complex debate. You should also be able to distinguish between the subtle shades of meaning when 'åbenbart' is used as an adverb versus when 'åbenbart' is a neuter adjective. Your usage should be effortless, and you should be able to play with the word's meaning in creative writing or high-level academic discourse. You are also expected to know the verb 'at åbenbare' and its various inflections and uses in figurative language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

åbenbar in 30 Seconds

Means 'obvious' or 'manifest'.
Adjective: åbenbar, åbenbart, åbenbare.
Used in formal and neutral contexts.
Often confused with the adverb meaning 'apparently'.

The Danish adjective åbenbar is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe something that is crystal clear, manifest, or strikingly obvious. At its core, the word is a compound of åben (open) and the suffix -bar, which in Germanic languages often denotes a quality or capability. Therefore, something that is åbenbar is literally 'open to be seen' or 'perceivable without obstruction.' While a beginner might use the word tydelig (clear) or klar (clear), the C1-level speaker employs åbenbar to add a layer of formality or to emphasize that a fact is so evident that it cannot be ignored.

Semantic Range: It spans from physical visibility to logical certainty. In a legal context, an 'åbenbar fejl' is a manifest error that requires no deep investigation to identify. In social contexts, it describes feelings or intentions that are 'written all over someone's face.'

Det var en åbenbar løgn, som ingen i lokalet troede på.

Translation: It was an obvious lie that no one in the room believed.

Historically, the word is linked to the concept of revelation (åbenbaring). When something is åbenbar, it has been 'revealed' to the senses or the mind. You will encounter this word frequently in Danish news editorials, academic papers, and formal debates where speakers aim to highlight the self-evident nature of their arguments. It is less common in very casual, slang-heavy conversation, where helt tydeligt might be preferred, but it remains a staple of standard educated Danish.

Register: Formal to Neutral. It is used in literature, journalism, and professional settings to denote clarity and indisputability.

Hans talent for musik var åbenbart for enhver, der hørte ham spille.

Understand that 'åbenbar' doesn't just mean 'easy'; it means 'unmistakable.' If a solution to a math problem is åbenbar, it means the logic leads there so directly that one wonders why it wasn't seen immediately. It carries a sense of 'shining through' or 'being laid bare.' In modern Danish, the word helps distinguish between what is merely 'clear' (klar) and what is 'manifestly evident' (åbenbar).

Using åbenbar correctly requires an understanding of Danish adjective declension and the specific syntactic roles it plays. As an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies in gender and number. The base form is åbenbar (common gender), the neuter is åbenbart, and the plural/definite form is åbenbare.

Adjective Agreement: Common: En åbenbar succes. Neuter: Et åbenbart problem. Plural: De åbenbare grunde.

However, a major point of confusion for learners is the adverbial usage. When you use åbenbart as an adverb (modifying a verb or a whole sentence), it usually translates to 'apparently' or 'seemingly.' For example: 'Han er åbenbart træt' (He is apparently tired). But as an adjective modifying a neuter noun, 'Det er et åbenbart problem' means 'It is an obvious problem.'

Der er en åbenbar risiko for, at projektet vil slå fejl.

There is an obvious risk that the project will fail.

In predicative use (after 'at være' - to be), the adjective follows the subject: 'Sandheden er åbenbar' (The truth is obvious). If the subject is neuter: 'Beviset er åbenbart' (The proof is obvious).

Common Phrasings: 'Det er åbenbart for enhver' (It is obvious to everyone). 'Af åbenbare årsager' (For obvious reasons).

De åbenbare mangler i rapporten blev straks påpeget.

When writing, use 'åbenbar' to signal high certainty. It is a powerful word that leaves little room for doubt. If you use it, you are asserting that the evidence is so strong that any reasonable observer would reach the same conclusion. This makes it very useful in persuasive writing and analytical essays. In speech, ensure the 'r' at the end is distinct but not overly rolled, and remember that the 'b' is soft as is typical in Danish. The emphasis is on the third syllable: åben-BAR.

In the wild, åbenbar is most frequently found in the domains of law, politics, and serious journalism. If you watch the Danish news program 'Deadline' on DR2, you will hear pundits discussing 'åbenbare brud på loven' (obvious breaches of the law) or 'en åbenbar politisk strategi' (a manifest political strategy). It is a word of the 'intelligentsia' and the professional class.

News & Media: Journalists use it to describe scandals where the evidence is undeniable. 'Det var et åbenbart forsøg på at skjule sandheden.'

In legal settings, the term is used in the phrase 'åbenbart grundløs' (manifestly ill-founded), often referring to lawsuits or appeals that have no merit and are immediately dismissed by a judge. This highlights the word's connection to judicial certainty.

Retten fandt, at sagsøgerens krav var åbenbart grundløst.

The court found that the plaintiff's claim was manifestly ill-founded.

You might also hear it in academic lectures. A professor of philosophy or sociology might speak of 'åbenbare sandheder' (self-evident truths) when discussing the foundational principles of a theory.

Literature: Classic Danish authors like Kierkegaard or Pontoppidan use 'åbenbar' to describe spiritual revelations or character traits that are exposed to the world.

Hendes glæde var åbenbar for alle gæsterne ved festen.

Finally, in business meetings, you might hear a manager say 'Der er en åbenbar konflikt her' (There is an obvious conflict here). It serves as a tool for directness—a way of cutting through ambiguity and forcing colleagues to acknowledge a reality that is 'staring them in the face.' It is less about 'knowing' and more about 'seeing.'

The most frequent pitfall for English speakers learning Danish is the 'False Friend' trap between the adjective åbenbar and the adverb åbenbart. In English, 'apparently' often implies a lack of certainty (e.g., 'Apparently, it's going to rain'). In Danish, the adverb åbenbart also carries this sense of 'so I hear' or 'it seems.' However, the adjective åbenbar (obvious/manifest) is much stronger and implies absolute clarity.

Confusion with 'Åben': Do not use 'åbenbar' to mean 'open' in a physical sense. You cannot say 'Døren er åbenbar.' You must say 'Døren er åben.' 'Åbenbar' is for abstract or figurative openness/clarity.

Another mistake is neglecting gender agreement. Because 'åbenbart' is such a common adverb, students often use it even when they should be using the common gender adjective 'åbenbar.'

*En åbenbart fejl (Incorrect)
En åbenbar fejl (Correct)

Overuse: Using 'åbenbar' for simple things like 'The water is clear' (Vandet er klart) sounds unnatural. Save it for truths, facts, errors, and intentions.

Det er åbenbart, at han har ret. (Correct for 'It is obvious that he is right' - here 'åbenbart' is the neuter adjective matching the clause 'at han har ret').

Finally, watch out for the plural. 'De åbenbare fordele' (The obvious advantages) requires the '-e' ending. Beginners often forget this and stick to the base form. Remember that at C1 level, precision in these small grammatical endings is what distinguishes you from lower-level learners.

Danish has a rich vocabulary for 'clarity,' and choosing the right synonym for åbenbar depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Indlysende: This is perhaps the closest synonym. It literally means 'shining in.' It is used for things that are logically obvious. 'Det er indlysende' is very common in spoken Danish when agreeing with a point.
Tydelig: Means 'clear' or 'distinct.' If handwriting is easy to read, it is 'tydelig.' If someone speaks clearly, they speak 'tydeligt.' It is more about perception than 'åbenbar,' which is more about the nature of the fact itself.
Soleklar: Literally 'sun-clear.' This is an idiomatic way of saying something is 100% certain and obvious. Use this for emphasis in less formal contexts.

Det er en soleklar sag, og vi behøver ikke diskutere det yderligere.

Evident: Borrowed from Latin, this is highly academic. You will see this in scientific papers: 'Det er evident, at dataene peger i denne retning.'
Iøjnefaldende: Literally 'eye-falling.' This means 'conspicuous' or 'striking.' If someone is wearing a neon suit, it is 'iøjnefaldende.' This is more about visual impact than 'åbenbar.'

Der er en iøjnefaldende forskel på de to rapporter.

Choosing 'åbenbar' over these alternatives signals that you are making a definitive judgment about the visibility of a truth. It is a 'high-ground' word that establishes authority.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-bar' is related to the verb 'at bære' (to bear). So 'åbenbar' literally means 'bearing openness' or 'carrying visibility'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK [ˈɔːbm̩ˌbɑːˀ]

US [ˈɔːbm̩ˌbɑːr]

Stress is on the third syllable: å-ben-BAR.

Rhymes With

åbenbar klar snar par far bar ar var

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as two words 'åben' and 'bar'.
Missing the stød on the last syllable.
Making the 'b' too hard like an English 'b'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'åben'.

Writing 7/5

Hard to remember the agreement and the adverbial distinction.

Speaking 8/5

The stød and the soft 'b' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 6/5

Danes speak fast, so 'åbenbar' might sound like 'åm-ba'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

åben klar fejl sandhed grund

Learn Next

indlysende evident åbenbaring åbenlyst tydeliggøre

Advanced

manifestation erkendelse bevisførelse uomtvistelig indiskutabel

Grammar to Know

Adjective Declension

En åbenbar (common), et åbenbart (neuter), de åbenbare (plural).

Adverbial -t

Han er åbenbart (apparently) træt.

Predicative Adjectives

Sandheden er åbenbar.

Definite Adjectives

Den åbenbare løgn.

Substantivized Adjectives

Det åbenbare i sagen.

Examples by Level

Det er åbenbart.

It is obvious.

Simple predicative use with neuter 'det'.

En åbenbar fejl.

An obvious mistake.

Adjective 'åbenbar' modifying a common gender noun 'fejl'.

Solen er åbenbar.

The sun is obvious/visible.

Used here to mean visible/clear.

Det er et åbenbart svar.

It is an obvious answer.

Neuter adjective 'åbenbart' matching 'et svar'.

Hans glæde er åbenbar.

His joy is obvious.

Predicative use with 'glæde' (common gender).

Er det åbenbart for dig?

Is it obvious to you?

Question form using 'det' as subject.

De åbenbare farver.

The obvious colors.

Plural form 'åbenbare'.

En åbenbar sandhed.

An obvious truth.

Common gender adjective.

Det var en åbenbar løgn.

It was an obvious lie.

'Åbenbar' modifies 'løgn' (common gender).

Han er åbenbart glad i dag.

He is apparently happy today.

'Åbenbart' used as an adverb meaning 'apparently'.

Der er åbenbare grunde til det.

There are obvious reasons for it.

Plural adjective 'åbenbare'.

Det er åbenbart for alle.

It is obvious to everyone.

Neuter adjective 'åbenbart' used with 'det'.

Hendes talent er åbenbart.

Her talent is obvious.

Predicative use with neuter 'talent'.

De har åbenbart glemt os.

They have apparently forgotten us.

Adverbial use.

Det er et åbenbart problem.

It is an obvious problem.

Neuter adjective modifying 'problem'.

Han taler om åbenbare ting.

He talks about obvious things.

Plural 'åbenbare' after 'om'.

Resultatet var åbenbart efter testen.

The result was obvious after the test.

Predicative use with neuter 'resultat'.

Det er en åbenbar fordel for os.

It is an obvious advantage for us.

Common gender adjective.

Hun har åbenbart ikke læst bogen.

She has apparently not read the book.

Adverbial use in a central position.

Der er ingen åbenbar løsning.

There is no obvious solution.

Negative construction with common gender noun.

De åbenbare mangler ved huset.

The obvious defects of the house.

Definite plural form.

Det er åbenbart, at han lyver.

It is obvious that he is lying.

'Åbenbart' refers to the following 'at'-clause.

Han viste en åbenbar interesse for hende.

He showed an obvious interest in her.

Common gender adjective.

Det er åbenbart for enhver iagttager.

It is obvious to any observer.

Formal phrasing.

Det var en åbenbar provokation fra deres side.

It was an obvious provocation from their side.

'Åbenbar' emphasizes the intent.

Der findes ingen åbenbare beviser for det.

There are no obvious proofs for that.

Plural 'åbenbare' with 'beviser'.

Sagen er åbenbar for enhver, der kender fakta.

The case is obvious to anyone who knows the facts.

Predicative use with 'sag'.

Han har åbenbart skiftet mening igen.

He has apparently changed his mind again.

Adverbial use showing skepticism.

Det er et åbenbart brud på reglerne.

It is an obvious breach of the rules.

Neuter adjective with 'brud'.

De åbenbare risici ved projektet blev ignoreret.

The obvious risks of the project were ignored.

Subject of a passive sentence.

Hendes åbenbare vrede skræmte ham.

Her obvious anger scared him.

Possessive 'hendes' followed by adjective and noun.

Det er åbenbart, at vi må handle nu.

It is obvious that we must act now.

Introductory 'det' construction.

Det var et åbenbart forsøg på manipulation.

It was a manifest attempt at manipulation.

High-level vocabulary 'manipulation'.

Retten fandt sagsøgerens krav åbenbart grundløst.

The court found the plaintiff's claim manifestly ill-founded.

Legal terminology.

Der er en åbenbar modstrid i hans forklaring.

There is an obvious contradiction in his explanation.

'Modstrid' is a formal word for contradiction.

Af åbenbare årsager kan vi ikke fortsætte.

For obvious reasons, we cannot continue.

Standard formal phrase.

De åbenbare ligheder mellem de to sprog.

The manifest similarities between the two languages.

Academic context.

Det er åbenbart for enhver med kendskab til emnet.

It is obvious to anyone with knowledge of the subject.

Refined formal expression.

Hendes åbenbare mangel på empati var rystende.

Her manifest lack of empathy was shocking.

Abstract noun 'mangel på empati'.

Det er en åbenbar sandhed, som ingen tør sige højt.

It is an obvious truth that no one dares say out loud.

Relative clause 'som ingen tør...'.

Værkets åbenbare kvaliteter retfærdiggør prisen.

The work's manifest qualities justify the price.

Genitive 'værkets' with plural adjective.

Det er åbenbart for den kritiske læser, at teksten er partisk.

It is obvious to the critical reader that the text is biased.

Complex sentence structure.

Der er en åbenbar diskrepans mellem teori og praksis.

There is a manifest discrepancy between theory and practice.

Sophisticated word 'diskrepans'.

Guddommens åbenbare vilje blev forkyndt af præsten.

The deity's manifest will was proclaimed by the priest.

Theological/Literary context.

Det åbenbare i hans argumentation var svært at modbevise.

The obviousness/manifest nature of his argument was hard to disprove.

Using the adjective as a noun (substantivized).

Af åbenbare grunde må vi afstå fra yderligere kommentarer.

For obvious reasons, we must refrain from further comments.

Formal diplomatic language.

Den åbenbare uretfærdighed vakte harme i befolkningen.

The manifest injustice sparked resentment among the population.

Strong emotional and political vocabulary.

Det er åbenbart, at den hegelianske dialektik her finder sin grænse.

It is manifest that the Hegelian dialectic here finds its limit.

Highly academic/philosophical usage.

Synonyms

indlysende tydelig manifest soleklar evident klar iøjnefaldende gennemskuelig

Antonyms

skjult uklar tvetydig kryptisk

Common Collocations

åbenbar sandhed

åbenbar fejl

åbenbar fare

åbenbar løgn

åbenbar succes

åbenbar mangel

åbenbart grundløs

åbenbar konflikt

åbenbar risiko

af åbenbare årsager

Common Phrases

Det er åbenbart for enhver

— It is clear to everyone.

Det er åbenbart for enhver, at de er forelskede.

Af åbenbare grunde

— For obvious reasons.

Af åbenbare grunde vil jeg ikke svare.

En åbenbar hemmelighed

— An open secret.

Deres forhold er en åbenbar hemmelighed.

Gøre noget åbenbart

— To make something manifest.

Han gjorde sit had åbenbart.

Stå åbenbart

— To stand clearly/manifestly.

Sandheden står nu åbenbart.

En åbenbar modsætning

— An obvious contradiction.

Der er en åbenbar modsætning i det, du siger.

Ingen åbenbar grund

— No obvious reason.

Der er ingen åbenbar grund til panik.

Det mest åbenbare

— The most obvious thing.

Det mest åbenbare er at spørge ham selv.

En åbenbar forbedring

— An obvious improvement.

Det er en åbenbar forbedring af systemet.

Være åbenbar for øjet

— To be visible to the eye.

Skaden var åbenbar for øjet.

Often Confused With

åbenbar vs åben

'Åben' means physically open. 'Åbenbar' means obvious.

åbenbar vs åbenlys

'Åbenlys' means blatant or overt. It is very similar but often has a negative connotation.

åbenbar vs tydelig

'Tydelig' is more about clarity of perception (vision/hearing).

Idioms & Expressions

"Det ligger lige for"

— It is very obvious/handy.

Det ligger lige for at vælge den billigste løsning.

informal

"Skåret ud i pap"

— Made very clear (explained simply).

Jeg skal have det skåret ud i pap.

informal

"Ikke til at tage fejl af"

— Unmistakable.

Hendes tonefald var ikke til at tage fejl af.

neutral

"Som en åben bog"

— Easy to read/understand (about a person).

Han er som en åben bog.

neutral

"Stå skrevet i stjernerne"

— To be predestined/obvious from fate.

Det stod skrevet i stjernerne.

literary

"Falde i øjnene"

— To be striking/obvious.

Hendes talent falder i øjnene.

neutral

"Være i øst og vest"

— To be inconsistent (opposite of clear).

Hans forklaringer er i øst og vest.

informal

"Gå op for en"

— To realize something obvious.

Det gik pludselig op for mig.

neutral

"Klar som blæk"

— Clear as ink (often used sarcastically).

Det er da klart som blæk!

informal

"Se skriften på væggen"

— To see the obvious signs of coming trouble.

Han så skriften på væggen og sagde op.

literary

Easily Confused

åbenbar vs åbenbart

It is both the neuter adjective and the adverb.

As an adverb, it means 'apparently'. As an adjective, it means 'obvious'.

Han er åbenbart (apparently) gået. / Et åbenbart (obvious) valg.

åbenbar vs åbenbare

It is both the plural adjective and a verb.

The verb means 'to reveal'. The adjective means 'obvious'.

Han vil åbenbare (reveal) hemmeligheden. / De åbenbare (obvious) fejl.

åbenbar vs åbenlyst

Similar meaning.

'Åbenlyst' is often used for things done in public without shame.

De snød åbenlyst.

åbenbar vs klar

Both mean clear.

'Klar' is more general; 'åbenbar' is more formal and emphasizes evidence.

Er du klar? (Are you ready?) / En åbenbar fejl.

åbenbar vs indlysende

Synonyms.

'Indlysende' is about logical self-evidence.

Det er indlysende.

Sentence Patterns

Det er [adjective].

Det er åbenbart.

En [adjective] [noun].

En åbenbar fejl.

Det er [adjective], at [clause].

Det er åbenbart, at han kommer.

Af [adjective] [plural noun].

Af åbenbare grunde.

[Noun] er [adjective] for [person].

Sagen er åbenbar for enhver.

[Possessive] [adjective] [noun].

Hans åbenbare mangler.

[Adjective] [noun] [verb] [noun].

Åbenbar uretfærdighed skaber vrede.

Det [adjective] ved [noun].

Det åbenbare ved hans stil.

Word Family

Nouns

en åbenbaring (revelation)

Verbs

at åbenbare (to reveal)

Adjectives

åbenbar (obvious)

åbenhed

åbning

åben

åbenmundet

åbenlys

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written Danish, moderate in spoken.

Common Mistakes

En åbenbart fejl → En åbenbar fejl
'Fejl' is common gender (en), so the adjective should not have a -t.
Døren er åbenbar → Døren er åben
'Åbenbar' means obvious, 'åben' means physically open.
De åbenbar grunde → De åbenbare grunde
Plural adjectives must end in -e.
Det er åbenbar at han kommer → Det er åbenbart at han kommer
When referring to a clause, use the neuter form -t.
Jeg åbenbar sandheden → Jeg åbenbarer sandheden
'Åbenbar' is an adjective. The verb is 'åbenbare'.

Tips

Check the Noun

Always look at the noun's gender. 'En' nouns take 'åbenbar', 'Et' nouns take 'åbenbart'.

Adverb Trap

Remember that 'åbenbart' usually means 'apparently' in a sentence like 'Han er åbenbart træt'.

The Stød

Try to catch the glottal stop (stød) at the end of 'bar' to sound truly native.

Formal Writing

Use 'åbenbar' instead of 'tydelig' in academic papers to sound more professional.

Legal Context

In law, 'åbenbart' often means 'manifestly' as in 'manifestly unfounded'.

Open Bar Mnemonic

Just remember: An open bar is an obvious place to find people!

Word Family

Learn 'åbenbare' (verb) and 'åbenbaring' (noun) at the same time.

Sarcasm

Danes often say 'Det er da åbenbart' sarcastically to mean 'Obviously!'.

Spotting

When reading, look for the suffix '-bar' in other words like 'spisbar' (edible).

Nuance

Use 'åbenbar' for facts and 'tydelig' for things you see.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'Open Bar'. It is 'obvious' (åbenbar) where the party is if there is an open bar!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'OPEN' sign in neon letters. It is so 'åbenbar' that the shop is open.

Word Web

åben klar tydelig bevis sandhed fejl løgn åbenbaring

Challenge

Try to use 'åbenbar' in a sentence about a mistake you saw today. Then use 'åbenbart' as an adverb about something you heard.

Word Origin

From Middle Low German 'openbar'.

Original meaning: Open, public, manifest.

Germanic.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but avoid calling people's personal traits 'åbenbart' negative in polite company.

English speakers often use 'apparent' which is a double-edged sword. 'Åbenbar' is usually more certain than 'apparent'.

Johannes' Åbenbaring (The Book of Revelation in the Bible). H.C. Andersen's 'Kejserens nye klæder' (The Emperor's New Clothes) - the child states the åbenbar sandhed.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Law

åbenbart grundløs
åbenbar uretfærdighed
åbenbart ulovlig
åbenbar fejl

Science

åbenbar sammenhæng
åbenbart resultat
åbenbare beviser
åbenbar diskrepans

Social

åbenbar løgn
åbenbar glæde
åbenbar interesse
åbenbar konflikt

Business

åbenbar fordel
åbenbar risiko
åbenbar mangel
åbenbar succes

Everyday

af åbenbare grunde
det er åbenbart
helt åbenbart
en åbenbar ting

Conversation Starters

"Er det ikke åbenbart, at vi trænger til en pause?"

"Hvad er den mest åbenbare fordel ved at lære dansk?"

"Kan du se den åbenbare fejl i denne plan?"

"Hvorfor er det så åbenbart, at han er sur?"

"Er sandheden altid åbenbar, synes du?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en åbenbar uretfærdighed, du har oplevet.

Beskriv en åbenbar succes i dit liv.

Hvorfor er det vigtigt, at love er åbenbare for alle?

Findes der åbenbare sandheder i filosofi?

Hvornår er en fejl så åbenbar, at den ikke kan tilgives?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in Danish an 'open bar' is usually called 'fri bar'. 'Åbenbar' is an adjective meaning obvious.

Not always. It is 'apparently' when used as an adverb. It is 'obvious' when it describes a neuter noun (et åbenbart problem).

No, unless the door is 'obvious' (like a giant door in a small room). To say the door is not closed, use 'åben'.

It is more formal than 'klar' or 'tydelig', but still used in everyday educated speech.

The 'r' is a vocalic Danish 'r', which sounds more like a deep vowel than a consonant.

The noun is 'en åbenbaring', which means 'a revelation'.

Yes, 'evident' is a synonym, but 'evident' is much more academic.

You can describe a person's traits as 'åbenbare', e.g., 'Hans åbenbare talent'.

The plural form is 'åbenbare'.

Yes, very common in political and legal reporting.