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befolkning

B1 noun 10 min read

befolkning

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips befolkning in 30 Seconds

Explanation befolkning in your Level:

At level A1, you are just starting to learn Danish. You might not use the word 'befolkning' very often because it is a bit long and formal. Instead, you will mostly use the word 'folk' (people) or 'mennesker' (humans). However, it is good to recognize 'befolkning' when you see it in a simple book or on a news website. It means all the people living in a place. For example, 'Danmarks befolkning' means everyone who lives in Denmark. At this level, you should focus on the fact that it is 'en befolkning' (a population) and 'befolkningen' (the population). You can remember it by thinking of 'folk' inside the word. If you see a map with a number next to it, that number is often the 'befolkning'. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet, but knowing it helps you understand basic facts about countries and cities. It is a 'common gender' noun, which means we use 'en' and the ending '-en'.

At level A2, you can start using 'befolkning' in simple sentences to describe countries or cities. You are moving beyond just saying 'many people' and starting to use more specific nouns. You might say 'Befolkningen i min by er stor' (The population in my town is large). This level is about building your descriptive vocabulary. You should also notice how 'befolkning' is used with adjectives like 'lille' (small) or 'stor' (large). It is important to remember that 'befolkning' is singular. Even though it refers to many people, you say 'befolkningen er' (the population is), not 'befolkningen er' (plural). This is a common step for A2 learners. You might also encounter it in simple texts about Danish culture or geography. Knowing this word helps you talk about your home country in a more grown-up way than just using 'folk'.

At level B1, you are expected to use 'befolkning' comfortably in both speaking and writing. This is the level where you start discussing social issues, and 'befolkning' is key for that. You should be able to talk about 'befolkningens sammensætning' (the composition of the population) or 'befolkningstilvækst' (population growth). At this stage, you understand that 'befolkning' is the formal term used in news and school. You can use it to compare different regions or to discuss how a place has changed over time. For example, 'Befolkningen er vokset meget de sidste ti år' (The population has grown a lot in the last ten years). You also start to use the possessive form 'befolkningens' to talk about things like 'befolkningens sundhed' (the population's health). You are now able to distinguish between 'folk' (informal) and 'befolkning' (formal/demographic).

At level B2, your usage of 'befolkning' should be precise and nuanced. You will use it in academic or professional contexts to discuss demographics, sociology, and politics. You should be familiar with compound words like 'befolkningsundersøgelse' (population survey) and 'befolkningstæthed' (population density). At this level, you can use the word to analyze complex social trends. For instance, you might write an essay about the challenges of an 'aldrende befolkning' (aging population) and its impact on the economy. You understand the subtle difference between 'befolkning' and 'borgere' (citizens) and use them correctly in legal or political discussions. Your grammar should be flawless when using this word, including correct adjective agreement and possessive forms. You can also use it in more abstract ways, such as 'den arbejdende befolkning' (the working population).

At level C1, 'befolkning' is a word you use with stylistic flair. You understand its place in formal rhetoric and high-level journalism. You can discuss 'befolkningsmæssige forskydninger' (demographic shifts) or 'befolkningsudviklingen' (the population development) with ease. You are aware of the historical and sociological connotations of the word. You might use it in a debate to argue about 'befolkningens opbakning' (the population's support) for a specific policy. At this level, you are also familiar with less common synonyms and can choose 'befolkning' over 'indbyggere' or 'folk' to maintain a specific formal tone. You can handle complex sentences where 'befolkning' is part of a long subject or object phrase. Your understanding of the word is deep enough to recognize when it is being used ironically or to make a specific political point in a text.

At level C2, you have a native-like command of 'befolkning'. You can use it in any context, from a scientific dissertation on demography to a philosophical discussion about the nature of a 'folk'. You are perfectly comfortable with all its compound forms and can even create new ones if necessary. You understand the etymological roots and how they influence the word's current meaning. You can analyze how the use of 'befolkning' in political discourse can frame an issue as a matter of management rather than human rights. You are also aware of how the word has been used historically in Danish literature and official documents. In your own writing, you use the word with absolute precision, choosing it for its specific demographic weight and formal resonance. You can effortlessly switch between 'befolkning', 'almenhed', 'folk', and 'borgere' to achieve the exact nuance you desire in your communication.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

befolkning in 30 Seconds

Befolkning means 'population' and refers to all inhabitants of a place.
It is a common gender noun (en befolkning) and usually used in definite form (befolkningen).
It is a formal term used in news, statistics, and social discussions.
Do not confuse it with 'folk' (people) which is more informal and general.

The Danish word befolkning is a fundamental noun that translates most directly to the English word "population." However, its usage in Danish carries specific nuances that distinguish it from mere numbers or statistics. At its core, it refers to the collective group of people inhabiting a specific geographic area, whether that be a country, a city, an island, or even the entire world. In a linguistic sense, the word is constructed from the prefix be-, the root folk (meaning people or folk), and the suffix -ning, which is commonly used in Danish to transform verbs or roots into nouns denoting a state, a process, or a collective entity. When you use befolkning, you are not just talking about individuals; you are talking about the social fabric and the demographic whole of a region.

Geographic Scope: The term can be applied to any defined area. For instance, 'verdens befolkning' (the world's population) or 'Bornholms befolkning' (the population of Bornholm). It defines the human boundaries of a place.
Statistical Context: In news reports and academic papers, it is the standard term for demographic data, covering birth rates, mortality, and migration patterns.
Social Identity: It often implies a sense of shared space and governance. When politicians speak of 'den danske befolkning', they are addressing the residents as a collective body with shared interests.

Den danske befolkning er kendt for at have en høj grad af tillid til staten.

Translation: The Danish population is known for having a high degree of trust in the state.

The word is versatile and appears in various registers, from formal government reports to casual dinner table discussions about how crowded a city has become. In Danish culture, which prides itself on the 'velfærdsstat' (welfare state), the befolkning is often viewed as a unified entity that the state serves. This collective mindset is reflected in how the word is used in public discourse. Furthermore, the word is indispensable when discussing history, as the movement and changes in befolkningen (the population) have shaped the Nordic landscape over centuries.

Hele jordens befolkning står over for store klimaudfordringer.

Translation: The entire world's population faces great climate challenges.

Etymological Depth: The 'be-' prefix in Danish often indicates a surrounding or covering. Thus, 'befolkning' literally suggests the 'peopling' or the act of a place being filled with 'folk'.

Byens befolkning er vokset markant de sidste ti år.

En stor del af befolkningen stemte ved valget.

Der er brug for en bedre forståelse af befolkningens behov.

Using befolkning correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as a common gender noun and its typical collocations. In Danish, you will most frequently encounter it in the definite singular form, befolkningen (the population), because we are usually referring to a specific group of people in a specific context. It is essential to distinguish between the abstract concept of population and the concrete group of people. For example, while English might say 'the people are happy,' Danish would use 'folk er glade.' However, if you say 'the population is happy,' you would use 'befolkningen er glad.' Notice that befolkning is singular, so the following adjective or verb must agree with the singular noun.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Even though a population consists of many people, the word itself is singular. 'Befolkningen er' (The population is), not 'Befolkningen er'. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might think of the plural nature of the group.
Possessive Usage: To say 'the population's', you simply add an -s: 'befolkningens'. For example, 'befolkningens sundhed' (the population's health).

Hvor stor er Danmarks befolkning egentlig?

Translation: How large is Denmark's population actually?

The word is often modified by adjectives to provide more detail. You might talk about an 'aldrende befolkning' (an aging population), a 'voksende befolkning' (a growing population), or a 'lokal befolkning' (a local population). These adjectives must agree with the common gender of befolkning. In more complex sentences, befolkning acts as the anchor for demographic discussions. It is also common to see it in compound words, which is a hallmark of Danish grammar. Words like befolkningstæthed (population density) or befolkningsgrupper (population groups) are frequent in academic and journalistic Danish.

Den lokale befolkning protesterede mod den nye vej.

Translation: The local population protested against the new road.

Prepositional Phrases: We often use 'af' (of) to describe parts of the population: 'en del af befolkningen' (a part of the population).

Størstedelen af befolkningen bor i byerne.

Vi skal tage hensyn til hele befolkningen, ikke kun de rige.

Hvordan påvirker det befolkningens trivsel?

In everyday Denmark, you will encounter the word befolkning most frequently in the media. Danish news outlets like DR (Danmarks Radio) or TV2 constantly discuss befolkningen when reporting on election results, health statistics, or economic trends. For example, during a general election, commentators will analyze how different segments of the befolkning are voting. It is a word that bridges the gap between the individual and the state. You will also hear it in educational settings, from primary school geography classes to university-level sociology lectures. It is a standard term that every Dane knows and uses when discussing society at large.

The News (Nyhederne): 'Befolkningen i Danmark bliver ældre' (The population in Denmark is getting older) is a recurring headline regarding the challenges of the welfare system.
Documentaries: Nature and history documentaries use the word to describe how humans have interacted with the environment over millennia.

Ifølge de seneste tal er befolkningen i Aarhus i vækst.

Translation: According to the latest figures, the population in Aarhus is growing.

Beyond the news, you might hear befolkning in political speeches. Politicians often use the phrase 'den danske befolkning' to create a sense of unity or to justify policy changes. In a more local context, if you live in a small village, you might hear people discuss 'den lokale befolkning' when talking about new housing developments or the closing of a local school. It is also a key term in environmental discussions, particularly regarding overbefolkning (overpopulation) on a global scale. Even in casual conversations about travel, someone might mention that the befolkning in a country they visited was incredibly welcoming, though 'folk' would be more common in that specific informal instance.

Politikeren lovede at lytte til befolkningens bekymringer.

Translation: The politician promised to listen to the population's concerns.

Academic Discourse: In sociology or geography, 'befolkning' is the only acceptable term for population studies.

Vi skal forstå befolkningens sammensætning for at planlægge fremtiden.

Hvordan reagerer befolkningen på de nye restriktioner?

En stor del af befolkningen har nu adgang til internettet.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning Danish is confusing befolkning with folk or mennesker. While all three relate to people, they are not interchangeable. Folk is a general term for 'people' as individuals or a vague group (e.g., 'there were many people'). Mennesker specifically refers to 'human beings'. Befolkning, on the other hand, is a formal and demographic term. You would never say 'der er mange befolkninger i parken' to mean 'there are many people in the park'. That would sound like you are saying there are many different ethnic populations or entire nations gathered on the grass!

Mistake: Using it for individuals: Incorrect: 'Jeg mødte en spændende befolkning i går.' (I met an exciting population yesterday). Correct: 'Jeg mødte et spændende menneske' or 'nogle spændende folk'.
Mistake: Pluralization: Incorrect: 'Befolkningen er glade.' (The population are happy). Correct: 'Befolkningen er glad.' In Danish, 'befolkning' is singular, so the adjective and verb must be singular.

Husk: Befolkningen er en entydig gruppe, ikke bare tilfældige personer.

Translation: Remember: The population is a distinct group, not just random persons.

Another mistake is using befolkning when you actually mean indbyggere (inhabitants). While similar, indbyggere is often used when talking about the specific number of residents in a city. For example, 'København har over 600.000 indbyggere' is more common than 'Københavns befolkning er 600.000', although both are technically correct. Befolkning is better suited for discussing the characteristics or the collective behavior of those inhabitants. Finally, watch out for the definite/indefinite forms. Beginners often say 'befolkning' when they mean 'befolkningen'. In Danish, we almost always use the definite form when referring to the population of a specific country or area.

Fejl: Befolkning i Danmark er lille. Korrekt: Befolkningen i Danmark er lille.

Confusion with 'Offentlighed': Sometimes learners use 'befolkning' when they mean 'the public' (offentligheden). Use 'befolkning' for the demographic group and 'offentlighed' for the sphere of public debate.

Hele befolkningen (ikke 'alle befolkninger') følger med i sagen.

Vær forsigtig med at bruge befolkning om dyr; her bruger man ofte 'bestand'.

To enrich your Danish vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that are similar to befolkning but used in different contexts. The most common alternative is indbyggere, which means 'inhabitants' or 'residents'. This is the word you use when you want to count people. Another related word is borgere, which means 'citizens'. While a befolkning includes everyone living in an area (including non-citizens), borgere specifically refers to those with legal citizenship and the rights and duties that come with it. In political discussions, you might also hear vælgerne (the voters), which is a subset of the befolkning.

Befolkning vs. Indbyggere: 'Befolkning' refers to the mass or the demographic entity. 'Indbyggere' refers to the individuals who make up that mass. Use 'indbyggere' for numbers: 'Byen har 5000 indbyggere'.
Befolkning vs. Folk: 'Folk' is informal and general. 'Befolkning' is formal and specific to a region.
Befolkning vs. Bestand: In biology, when talking about animals (like the population of deer in a forest), Danes use 'bestand' (stock/population), not 'befolkning'.

Der er stor forskel på befolkningen og de stemmeberettigede borgere.

Translation: There is a big difference between the population and the citizens entitled to vote.

In some specialized contexts, you might use almenheden (the general public) or pøbelen (the mob/the masses - though this is derogatory). If you are talking about the people of a nation in a very patriotic or historical sense, you might use folket (the people/the nation). For example, 'Folket krævede frihed' (The people demanded freedom). This has a more emotional and political weight than befolkningen, which is neutral and scientific. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the right word for the right situation, making your Danish sound more authentic and precise.

Det er vigtigt at informere offentligheden og ikke kun befolkningen i lokalområdet.

Hvor mange indbyggere er der i din fødeby?

Folket stod sammen i krisetider.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Befolkningstilvæksten i regionen er stagneret."

Neutral

"Befolkningen i Danmark er omkring seks millioner."

Informal

"Hele befolkningen var ude og se fyrværkeri."

Child friendly

"Der bor mange mennesker i vores land, de kaldes befolkningen."

Slang

"Befolkningen er helt oppe og køre over den sang."

Fun Fact

The word 'folk' is one of the oldest words in Germanic languages, appearing in Old Norse as 'fólk'. Adding 'be-' and '-ning' is a later development to create a more formal, administrative noun.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /beˈfʌlknɪŋ/

US /beˈfʌlknɪŋ/

Second syllable: be-FOLK-ning

Rhymes With

dækning virkning retning tegning regning slutning flytning ordning

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' at the end too hard. It should be a soft nasal 'ng'.
Stressing the first syllable 'be-'.
Pronouncing 'folk' like the English 'folk' with a long 'o'. In Danish, it is short.
Missing the 'n' in the middle: 'befolkig'.
Confusing the 'l' sound with a more English 'dark l'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The word is long but recognizable due to the root 'folk'.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct spelling and understanding of the -ning suffix.

Speaking 4/5

The 'ng' sound at the end can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Easy to hear in news broadcasts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

folk mennesker land by bo

Learn Next

indbygger borger demografi samfund statistik

Advanced

urbanisering fertilitetsrate migrationsstrømme velfærdsmodel

Grammar to Know

Common Gender Nouns (en-ord)

En befolkning, befolkningen.

Noun Suffix -ning

Befolkning, retning, bygning.

Definite Form in General Contexts

Befolkningen (the population in general).

Adjective Agreement with Common Gender

En stor befolkning (not stort).

Possessive -s

Befolkningens interesser.

Examples by Level

Danmarks befolkning er ikke så stor.

Denmark's population is not so large.

Possessive -s on 'Danmark'.

Hvor stor er befolkningen?

How large is the population?

Definite form 'befolkningen'.

Befolkningen bor i huse.

The population lives in houses.

Singular verb 'bor' with the collective noun.

En lille befolkning bor på øen.

A small population lives on the island.

Indefinite form 'en befolkning'.

Hele befolkningen er her.

The whole population is here.

'Hele' precedes the definite noun.

Befolkningen i byen er glad.

The population in the city is happy.

Singular adjective 'glad'.

Jeg læser om befolkningen.

I am reading about the population.

Preposition 'om' (about).

Verdens befolkning vokser.

The world's population is growing.

Present tense 'vokser'.

Befolkningen i Grønland er meget lille.

The population in Greenland is very small.

Common gender adjective 'lille'.

Mange i befolkningen taler dansk.

Many in the population speak Danish.

Prepositional phrase 'i befolkningen'.

Hvordan har befolkningen det?

How is the population doing?

Idiomatic 'hvordan har ... det'.

Befolkningen flytter til de store byer.

The population is moving to the big cities.

Plural adjective 'store' with 'byer'.

Der er en ung befolkning i dette land.

There is a young population in this country.

Adjective 'ung' with 'en befolkning'.

Befolkningen skal have mad og vand.

The population must have food and water.

Modal verb 'skal'.

Vi tæller befolkningen hvert år.

We count the population every year.

Present tense 'tæller'.

Befolkningen i Aarhus er i vækst.

The population in Aarhus is growing (in growth).

Noun 'vækst' (growth).

Befolkningens gennemsnitsalder stiger støt.

The population's average age is rising steadily.

Possessive 'befolkningens'.

En stor del af befolkningen bor alene.

A large part of the population lives alone.

Singular 'bor' matches 'del'.

Regeringen vil hjælpe den fattige del af befolkningen.

The government wants to help the poor part of the population.

Adjective 'fattige' in definite form.

Befolkningen reagerede hurtigt på nyheden.

The population reacted quickly to the news.

Past tense 'reagerede'.

Hvordan påvirker krisen befolkningens købekraft?

How does the crisis affect the population's purchasing power?

Compound noun 'købekraft'.

Befolkningen er delt i spørgsmålet om EU.

The population is divided on the question of the EU.

Past participle 'delt' as an adjective.

Der er stor befolkningstæthed i hovedstaden.

There is high population density in the capital.

Compound word 'befolkningstæthed'.

Befolkningen har krav på ordentlige boliger.

The population is entitled to decent housing.

Phrase 'have krav på'.

Den voksende befolkning lægger pres på ressourcerne.

The growing population puts pressure on resources.

Present participle 'voksende' as an adjective.

Befolkningens sammensætning har ændret sig markant.

The population's composition has changed significantly.

Reflexive verb 'ændre sig'.

Undersøgelsen dækker et repræsentativt udsnit af befolkningen.

The study covers a representative cross-section of the population.

Adjective 'repræsentativt' in neuter gender to match 'udsnit'.

Befolkningen udviser stor tillid til de offentlige myndigheder.

The population exhibits great trust in public authorities.

Verb 'udvise' (to exhibit/show).

Uligheden i befolkningen er et centralt politisk emne.

Inequality in the population is a central political topic.

Noun 'ulighed' (inequality).

Befolkningen i landdistrikterne føler sig ofte overset.

The population in rural areas often feels overlooked.

Past participle 'overset' (overlooked).

Der er behov for at uddanne hele befolkningen.

There is a need to educate the entire population.

Infinitive 'at uddanne'.

Befolkningens opbakning er afgørende for projektets succes.

The population's support is crucial for the project's success.

Noun 'opbakning' (support).

De demografiske ændringer i befolkningen udfordrer velfærdsstaten.

The demographic changes in the population challenge the welfare state.

Adjective 'demografiske' in plural.

Befolkningen er i stigende grad bekymret over klimaforandringerne.

The population is increasingly concerned about climate change.

Adverbial phrase 'i stigende grad'.

Man bør tilstræbe en jævn fordeling af goderne i befolkningen.

One should strive for an even distribution of goods in the population.

Verb 'tilstræbe' (to strive for).

Befolkningens mentale sundhed er kommet i fokus.

The population's mental health has come into focus.

Noun 'sundhed' with adjective 'mentale'.

Der er en mærkbar utilfredshed i dele af befolkningen.

There is a noticeable dissatisfaction in parts of the population.

Adjective 'mærkbar' (noticeable).

Befolkningen har gennem historien vist stor modstandskraft.

The population has shown great resilience throughout history.

Compound noun 'modstandskraft'.

Migration påvirker befolkningens kulturelle identitet.

Migration affects the population's cultural identity.

Adjective 'kulturelle'.

Befolkningen forventer gennemsigtighed i den politiske proces.

The population expects transparency in the political process.

Noun 'gennemsigtighed' (transparency).

Befolkningens demografiske profil er under hastig forandring.

The population's demographic profile is undergoing rapid change.

Prepositional phrase 'under forandring'.

En homogen befolkning er ikke længere en selvfølge i Danmark.

A homogeneous population is no longer a given in Denmark.

Adjective 'homogen'.

Statistikken afslører dybe kløfter i befolkningen.

The statistics reveal deep divides in the population.

Metaphorical use of 'kløfter' (divides/chasms).

Befolkningens retsfølelse blev krænket af dommen.

The population's sense of justice was violated by the verdict.

Abstract noun 'retsfølelse'.

Man må analysere befolkningens adfærd i et sociologisk perspektiv.

One must analyze the population's behavior in a sociological perspective.

Modal 'må' meaning 'must'.

Befolkningen er genstand for omfattende overvågning.

The population is the subject of extensive surveillance.

Phrase 'genstand for' (subject to).

Der er en iboende træghed i befolkningens vaner.

There is an inherent inertia in the population's habits.

Noun 'træghed' (inertia/slowness).

Befolkningens kollektive erindring præges af krigen.

The population's collective memory is shaped by the war.

Passive voice 'præges af'.

Common Collocations

den danske befolkning

befolkningens sammensætning

en aldrende befolkning

befolkningstilvækst

befolkningstæthed

dele af befolkningen

hele befolkningen

den lokale befolkning

befolkningens sundhed

befolkningsgrupper

Common Phrases

Befolkningen i tal

— The population in numbers. Often used as a title for statistics.

Her er befolkningen i tal for 2023.

En repræsentant for befolkningen

— A representative of the people/population.

Han ser sig selv som en repræsentant for befolkningen.

Ramme befolkningen

— To affect or hit the population (e.g., a tax or a disease).

Sygdommen ramte befolkningen hårdt.

Tjene befolkningen

— To serve the population.

Politiet er her for at tjene befolkningen.

Befolkningens opbakning

— The support of the population.

Uden befolkningens opbakning kan vi intet gøre.

Splittelse i befolkningen

— Division within the population.

Der er stor splittelse i befolkningen efter valget.

Befolkningens tillid

— The trust of the population.

Statsministeren har mistet befolkningens tillid.

En voksende befolkning

— A growing population.

En voksende befolkning kræver flere skoler.

Befolkningens behov

— The needs of the population.

Vi skal lytte til befolkningens behov.

Befolkningens trivsel

— The well-being of the population.

Trivslen i befolkningen er faldende.

Often Confused With

befolkning vs folk

English speakers use 'people' for both. In Danish, 'folk' is for people in general, 'befolkning' is for the demographic group.

befolkning vs indbyggere

Use 'indbyggere' when you are counting individuals ('Der er 5 millioner indbyggere').

befolkning vs borgere

Use 'borgere' for legal citizens with rights and duties.

Idioms & Expressions

"Røsten fra befolkningen"

— The voice of the people. Hearing what the average person thinks.

Vi skal høre røsten fra befolkningen i denne sag.

formal

"En torn i øjet på befolkningen"

— Something that annoys the population. A thorn in the eye.

De nye skatter er en torn i øjet på befolkningen.

informal

"Befolkningen holder vejret"

— The population is holding its breath (waiting in suspense).

Hele befolkningen holder vejret før afstemningen.

journalistic

"Vende befolkningen ryggen"

— To turn one's back on the population (ignore them).

Regeringen må ikke vende befolkningen ryggen.

political

"Befolkningen er på barrikaderne"

— The population is protesting/on the barricades.

Befolkningen er på barrikaderne over de nye love.

metaphorical

"I befolkningens hjerte"

— In the heart of the population (something widely loved).

Dronningen har en stor plads i befolkningens hjerte.

poetic

"Befolkningen taler med én stemme"

— The population speaks with one voice (unanimous).

I denne sag taler befolkningen med én stemme.

rhetorical

"Befolkningens øjne er rettet mod..."

— The population's eyes are fixed on... (everyone is watching).

Befolkningens øjne er rettet mod topmødet.

journalistic

"Gå rent ind hos befolkningen"

— To be a hit with the population. To be very well received.

Hans tale gik rent ind hos befolkningen.

informal

"Befolkningen er mættet"

— The population is saturated/fed up.

Befolkningen er mættet med tomme løfter.

metaphorical

Easily Confused

befolkning vs bestand

Both mean population.

'Bestand' is used for animals or plants, 'befolkning' is only for humans.

Hjortebestanden i skoven er stor.

befolkning vs publikum

Both refer to a group of people.

'Publikum' is an audience at a specific event.

Publikum klappede af koncerten.

befolkning vs menneskehed

Both refer to many people.

'Menneskehed' is 'humanity' as a whole species.

Det er et skridt for menneskeheden.

befolkning vs offentlighed

Both can mean 'the people'.

'Offentlighed' is the public sphere or the state of being public.

Sagen kom frem i offentligheden.

befolkning vs folkeslag

Both relate to 'folk'.

'Folkeslag' means an ethnic group or a tribe.

Der findes mange forskellige folkeslag i verden.

Sentence Patterns

[Land]s befolkning er [størrelse].

Danmarks befolkning er lille.

Befolkningen i [by] er [adjektiv].

Befolkningen i Odense er venlig.

Befolkningen er [verbum] i de sidste år.

Befolkningen er vokset i de sidste år.

En stor del af befolkningen [verbum]...

En stor del af befolkningen ejer deres egen bolig.

Befolkningens [substantiv] er en udfordring for...

Befolkningens aldring er en udfordring for økonomien.

Der er en mærkbar [substantiv] i befolkningen vedrørende...

Der er en mærkbar skepsis i befolkningen vedrørende de nye regler.

Hvordan påvirker [emne] befolkningen?

Hvordan påvirker skatten befolkningen?

Befolkningen har krav på [noget].

Befolkningen har krav på gennemsigtighed.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in news, education, and government communications.

Common Mistakes

Befolkningen er glade. → Befolkningen er glad.
Even though a population is many people, the word 'befolkning' is grammatically singular. Therefore, the adjective must be in the singular form.
Jeg så en befolkning i parken. → Jeg så mange mennesker i parken.
'Befolkning' refers to a demographic group, not a group of individuals standing together. Use 'mennesker' or 'folk' for individuals.
Hjortebefolkningen i skoven. → Hjortebestanden i skoven.
'Befolkning' is only used for humans. For animals, the correct term is 'bestand'.
Befolkning af Danmark er stor. → Befolkningen i Danmark er stor.
In Danish, we use the definite form 'befolkningen' and the preposition 'i' (in) when referring to the population of a country.
Alle befolkninger i verden. → Hele verdens befolkning.
Unless you are talking about different distinct ethnic groups, you usually refer to the world's population as one collective entity in the singular.

Tips

Singular Agreement

Always remember that 'befolkning' is singular. Beginners often make the mistake of using plural verbs because the word refers to many people. Stick to 'den er' and 'befolkningen er'.

The 'be-' Prefix

The prefix 'be-' often creates a noun from a verb or indicates a state. Knowing this helps you recognize other words like 'beslutning' (decision) or 'betydning' (meaning).

Definite vs Indefinite

In 90% of cases, you will use 'befolkningen' (definite). Only use 'en befolkning' when you are introducing the concept or describing a type of population, like 'en ung befolkning'.

News Watching

Watch the Danish news (DR Nyheder). You will hear 'befolkningen' mentioned almost every day. It's a great way to hear the correct pronunciation in context.

Compound Words

Danish loves compound words. If you need to describe something related to the population, try adding it to 'befolknings-'. For example, 'befolkningsundersøgelse' (population study).

The Root 'Folk'

If you struggle to remember the word, just think of 'folk'. It's the core of the word and will help your brain make the connection to 'people'.

Statistics Denmark

Look up 'Danmarks Statistik' online. Their website is full of charts about 'befolkningen'. It's a great reading exercise for B1 learners.

Association

Associate 'befolkning' with a crowded map. Every time you see a map with many dots, say 'befolkningen' to yourself.

Formality

Use 'befolkning' to sound more educated. It shows you have moved beyond basic 'A1' Danish and can discuss social topics.

Nasal Ending

Practice the '-ning' sound by saying 'sing-song' and then applying that same nasal flow to 'befolkning'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'be-' as 'being' and 'folk' as 'people' and '-ning' as a noun ending. So 'befolkning' is the 'being of people' in a place.

Visual Association

Imagine a map of Denmark covered with thousands of tiny little people (folk). That whole group is the 'befolkning'.

Word Web

folk land by mennesker statistik indbyggere samfund verden

Challenge

Try to find the 'befolkning' of your favorite city and write a sentence in Danish about it using the word.

Word Origin

Derived from the verb 'befolke' (to people/populate), which comes from 'be-' + 'folk'. It entered Danish from German 'Bevölkerung'.

Original meaning: The act of populating a place or the state of being populated.

Germanic (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'befolkningens sammensætning' as it can touch on sensitive topics like immigration and national identity.

English speakers often say 'the people' where Danes would use 'befolkningen' in formal contexts. In English, 'population' can sound a bit cold or scientific, but in Danish, it is the standard way to refer to the inhabitants of the country.

Danmarks Statistik (the official source for population data) The phrase 'Folket bag befolkningen' (the people behind the population) Hans Christian Andersen's references to the 'folk' of Denmark

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

News & Media

Befolkningen stemmer i dag
En bekymret befolkning
Nyheder for hele befolkningen
Befolkningen i tal

Geography & School

Hvor stor er befolkningen?
Befolkningstætheden i Europa
Verdens befolkning vokser
Befolkningen flytter til byerne

Politics

Lytte til befolkningen
Befolkningens opbakning
Splittelse i befolkningen
Tjene befolkningen

Health

Befolkningens sundhedstilstand
Vaccination af befolkningen
En sund befolkning
Sygdom i befolkningen

History

Befolkningen i middelalderen
Migration i befolkningen
Befolkningens levevilkår
En historisk befolkning

Conversation Starters

"Hvor stor er befolkningen i dit hjemland sammenlignet med Danmark?"

"Tror du, at verdens befolkning vil fortsætte med at vokse?"

"Hvordan påvirker en aldrende befolkning samfundet i dit land?"

"Er befolkningen i din by vokset meget de sidste par år?"

"Hvad mener du er det vigtigste behov for befolkningen lige nu?"

Journal Prompts

Beskriv befolkningen i den by, hvor du bor. Er de venlige? Hvad laver de?

Skriv om en gang, hvor befolkningen i et land stod sammen om noget vigtigt.

Hvordan tror du, at befolkningen i Danmark vil se ud om 50 år?

Reflektér over forskellen på ordene 'folk' og 'befolkning'. Hvornår bruger du hvad?

Hvis du var konge eller dronning, hvad ville du så gøre for din befolkning?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in Danish, 'befolkning' is a collective noun and is treated as singular. You say 'befolkningen er glad' (the population is happy). You only use the plural 'befolkninger' if you are talking about the populations of multiple different countries.

No, you should use the word 'bestand'. For example, 'en bestand af ulve' (a population of wolves). 'Befolkning' is reserved for human beings.

'Befolkning' is a formal, demographic term. 'Folk' is more general and informal. You say 'Der er mange folk i byen' but 'Danmarks befolkning er i vækst'.

You use the compound word 'befolkningstæthed'.

It is an 'en' word (common gender): 'en befolkning', 'befolkningen'.

Use 'indbyggere' when you are giving a specific number of people living in a place. 'Byen har 10.000 indbyggere'.

Yes, 'befolkning' refers to all inhabitants of a place, regardless of their citizenship or origin.

It means 'overpopulation' – when there are too many people for the resources available.

It is a soft nasal sound, similar to the English '-ing' but often shorter and more integrated into the word.

Usually, it refers to a larger group like a city or country, but you can say 'befolkningen på plejehjemmet' (the population at the nursing home) in a slightly formal or statistical sense.