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B1 verb 9 min read

bevilge

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips bevilge in 30 Seconds

Explanation bevilge in your Level:

At level A1, you don't need to use the word 'bevilge' yourself very often, but you might see it on official papers. It basically means 'to give' in a very formal way. Imagine a king giving a bag of gold—that is 'bevilge'. In modern Denmark, it is usually a bank giving a loan or a city giving money for a park. If you see this word, think 'The big office said YES and is giving money'. It is a formal word, so you won't use it with your friends. You would use 'give' instead. For example, 'De giver penge' (They give money) is A1, while 'De bevilger støtte' (They grant support) is what an official would say. Just remember: bevilge = official giving.

At the A2 level, you should recognize 'bevilge' as a word used by authorities. You might encounter it when applying for a visa, a residence permit, or a bank account. It is a regular verb: 'bevilger' (present), 'bevilgede' (past). It is used when someone in power says 'yes' to a request for money or a permit. For example: 'Banken bevilgede lånet' (The bank granted the loan). You should know that it is more formal than 'give' or 'få'. If you are at the 'kommune', they might say 'Vi har bevilget din ansøgning'. This is good news! It means you got what you asked for. Try to remember it as 'to grant'.

At B1, you are expected to use 'bevilge' in appropriate contexts, especially when discussing work, society, or official matters. You should understand that 'bevilge' is specifically for granting something that has been applied for. It is the standard verb for 'to grant' or 'to authorize' in a bureaucratic sense. You will often see it in the passive voice: 'Der er blevet bevilget midler til...' (Funds have been granted for...). You should also distinguish it from 'tillade' (to allow). While 'tillade' is about permission, 'bevilge' is about the formal allocation of a resource. If you are writing a formal letter or an essay about the Danish welfare system, this word is essential.

At B2, you should be comfortable with the nuances of 'bevilge' and its related noun 'bevilling'. You understand that it implies a legal or administrative process. You can use it in complex sentences, such as 'På trods af budgetnedskæringer valgte man at bevilge beløbet til de trængende' (Despite budget cuts, it was decided to grant the amount to those in need). You should also know common collocations like 'bevilget overtræk' (authorized overdraft) and 'bevillingshaver' (grant holder). At this level, you recognize that 'bevilge' can also be used ironically in a reflexive sense ('at bevilge sig selv en pause'). Your vocabulary should now distinguish clearly between 'bevilge', 'tildele', and 'allokere'.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the stylistic implications of 'bevilge'. You use it to convey institutional authority and formal decision-making. You are aware of its use in the 'Finanslov' (the national budget) and legal documents. You understand the subtle difference between 'at bevilge' (the act of granting) and 'at yde' (the act of providing what was granted). You can follow high-level political debates where the word is used to discuss the legitimacy of public spending. You also understand its historical roots and how it fits into the Danish administrative tradition. In your own writing, you use it to maintain a professional and authoritative tone.

At C2, your mastery of 'bevilge' is indistinguishable from a native speaker with a high level of education. You understand its use in archaic or highly specialized legal contexts. You can appreciate the word's role in the 'forvaltningsret' (administrative law) and how it interacts with concepts of 'skøn' (discretionary judgment). You can use the word in varied registers, from precise legal drafting to sophisticated journalistic commentary. You understand that 'bevilge' is not just about giving, but about the exercise of sovereign or institutional will. You are also familiar with the historical 'kongelig bevilling' (royal grant) and how the concept has evolved into the modern democratic 'bevilling' system.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

bevilge in 30 Seconds

Bevilge is a formal Danish verb meaning 'to grant' or 'to authorize,' typically used by institutions to give money or permits.
It is a regular verb (bevilger, bevilgede, bevilget) and is most common in bureaucratic, legal, and financial contexts.
Unlike the simple word 'give,' bevilge implies an official decision-making process and a formal 'yes' to an application.
Commonly found in news reports about government budgets, bank loans, and municipal social support services in Denmark.

The Danish verb bevilge is a cornerstone of administrative and formal Danish. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to grant,' 'to authorize,' or 'to allow' in an official capacity. While the English word 'give' is broad, bevilge carries a specific weight of authority. It implies that a request has been reviewed, a decision has been made, and permission or resources (often financial) are being formally handed over. This word is ubiquitous in the context of the Danish welfare state, where citizens interact with the 'kommune' (municipality) for various types of support.

The Institutional Context: In Denmark, if you apply for a building permit, a student grant (SU), or specialized medical equipment, you are waiting for the authorities to bevilge your request. It is the language of bureaucracy and law.

Kommunen har valgt at bevilge økonomisk støtte til det nye kulturhus i bymidten.

Understanding bevilge requires understanding the power dynamics involved. You don't usually bevilge something to your friend (unless you are being humorous or overly formal). Instead, a superior or an institution bevilger something to a subordinate or an applicant. It suggests a process of evaluation. When a bank bevilger a loan, they haven't just 'given' money; they have sanctioned the release of funds based on a credit check.

Financial Nuance: The word is very frequently tied to money. 'At bevilge et beløb' means to allocate a specific sum for a purpose. It is the verbal form of a 'bevilling' (a grant or appropriation).

Regeringen vil bevilge flere penge til sundhedsvæsenet i det kommende år.

Culturally, Danes value the transparency of the 'bevillingsproces' (granting process). Because Denmark has high taxes and a large public sector, the act of bevilge resources is a matter of public record and debate. Politicians argue about what should be bevilget and what should be cut. If you are learning Danish for work or for living in the country, you will encounter this word every time you deal with insurance, government aid, or corporate budgeting.

Permission vs. Provision: While it often involves money, it can also involve time or rights. A boss can bevilge a leave of absence (orlov) or a special exception to a rule.

Min chef valgte at bevilge mig tre dages ekstra ferie som tak for min indsats.

Ansøgningen om byggetilladelse blev endelig bevilget efter seks måneders ventetid.

Using bevilge correctly involves understanding its grammar as a regular weak verb (Group 1: -ede, -et). It typically follows the structure: [Subject] + [bevilger/bevilgede] + [Object] + [Recipient/Purpose]. However, in modern Danish, the recipient is often introduced with the preposition 'til' (to) or simply implied by the context of the application.

Active Voice: In the active voice, the subject is the entity with the power to grant. 'Ministeriet bevilger midlerne' (The ministry grants the funds).

Vi håber, at de vil bevilge os det nødvendige udstyr til forskningsprojektet.

A common syntactic pattern is at bevilge nogen noget (to grant someone something). For example, 'De bevilgede ham asyl' (They granted him asylum). This double-object construction is very common in legal and political reporting. Notice how the recipient 'ham' comes before the thing being granted 'asyl'.

Passive Voice: Because the focus is often on the grant itself rather than the bureaucrat, the passive voice is extremely common. 'Der blev bevilget...' (There was granted...).

Der er blevet bevilget 50 millioner kroner til renovering af de lokale skoler.

When discussing future possibilities, you will often use the modal 'vil' or 'skal'. 'Vil de bevilge pengene?' (Will they grant the money?). In negative sentences, 'ikke' follows the verb: 'De bevilgede ikke ansøgningen' (They did not grant the application). Note that while you can 'bevilge en ansøgning' (grant an application), it is more precise to say you 'bevilger det, der søges om' (grant what is being applied for).

Hvis vi ikke får bevilget støtte, må vi aflyse festivalen.

Subordinate Clauses: In subordinate clauses, remember that the word order changes (S-A-V). 'Jeg er glad for, at de endelig bevilgede lånet' (I am glad that they finally granted the loan).

Det er vigtigt, at kommunen bevilger ressourcer til integration.

Finally, consider the reflexive use, though rare. Sometimes a person 'bevilger sig selv' (grants themselves) something, usually in a self-indulgent or humorous way. 'Jeg bevilgede mig selv et glas rødvin efter arbejdet' (I granted myself a glass of red wine after work). This shifts the word from formal to informal and ironic.

If you turn on the Danish news (DR Nyheder or TV2), you will hear bevilge almost daily. It is the language of the 'Folketing' (Parliament). When the state budget (Finansloven) is discussed, the debate centers on what the state should bevilge money for. You'll hear phrases like 'bevilge ekstraordinære midler' (grant extraordinary funds) during crises or 'bevilge skattelettelser' (grant tax cuts) during election cycles.

In the Municipality (Kommunen): For the average person living in Denmark, bevilge is most relevant when dealing with social services. If you need a 'hjælpemiddel' (assistive device like a wheelchair), a social worker will tell you if the municipality can bevilge it.

"Vi har undersøgt din sag, og vi kan nu bevilge dig støtte til transport.".

In the business world, bevilge appears in board meetings and accounting. A project manager might ask the board to bevilge an increased budget. It is also the standard term used by banks regarding credit. A 'bevilget overtræk' is an 'authorized overdraft'—a very common financial term for Danes.

Academic and Research Grants: Researchers at universities spend a significant amount of time applying for 'bevillinger' from foundations like the Carlsberg Foundation or the Novo Nordisk Foundation. When they succeed, the foundation bevilger a research grant.

Forskningsrådet har valgt at bevilge 2 millioner kroner til studiet af klimaforandringer.

You might also hear it in a more metaphorical or old-fashioned sense in literature, where a king or a high-ranking official bevilger an audience (audiens) or a pardon (benådning). Even in modern legal dramas on Danish TV, lawyers will argue over whether a judge should bevilge a request for a new trial.

Retten valgte at bevilge forsvareren mere tid til at gennemgå beviserne.

In summary, bevilge is the sound of the system working. It is the verb of formal agreement, resource allocation, and official permission. Whether it's a small municipal grant or a billion-kroner government initiative, bevilge is the word that makes it happen.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is using bevilge where give (to give) or tillade (to allow/permit) would be more appropriate. Because bevilge is so formal, using it in a casual setting can make you sound like a robot or a 19th-century aristocrat.

Mistake 1: Casual Giving: Don't say 'Jeg bevilger dig en fødselsdagsgave.' (I grant you a birthday present). Instead, use 'Jeg giver dig en gave.'

Fejl: Han bevilgede mig en kop kaffe. (Wrong context - too formal).

Another common confusion is between bevilge and godkende (approve). While they are similar, bevilge usually involves the provision of a resource, whereas godkende just means saying 'yes' to a plan or a document. You godkender a report, but you bevilger the money to write the report.

Mistake 2: Preposition Confusion: Learners often forget that 'bevilge' can take a direct object or use 'til'. It is wrong to say 'bevilge om penge'. It should be 'bevilge penge'.

Korrekt: De har bevilget midlerne. (They have granted the funds).

Confusing bevilge with bestille (order) is another pitfall. You bestiller a pizza, but a foundation bevilger your scholarship. The former is a commercial transaction; the latter is an administrative decision. Also, watch out for the noun form bevilling. It’s common to confuse it with tilladelse (permission). A 'beværtningsbevilling' is specifically a liquor license, not just any 'permission' to run a bar.

Husk: Man bevilger ikke en fejl. (You don't grant a mistake - you 'indrømmer' (admit) it).

Finally, remember the passive voice. 'Jeg er bevilget' is rare; 'Jeg har fået bevilget' (I have been granted) is the standard way to express that you received something. Saying 'Jeg er bevilget penge' sounds slightly off; 'Jeg har fået bevilget penge' sounds like a native speaker.

Danish has several words that overlap with bevilge, and choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the nature of what is being given.

Bevilge vs. Tildele: 'Tildele' means 'to assign' or 'to award'. Use 'tildele' for prizes, roles, or specific tasks. Use 'bevilge' for resources or permissions requested by an applicant.

Han blev tildelt Nobelprisen. (He was awarded the Nobel Prize).

Another alternative is donere (to donate). This is used for charitable giving without an application process. If a millionaire gives money to a museum, he donerer. If the state gives money to the museum after a budget review, it bevilger.

Bevilge vs. Tillade: 'Tillade' (to allow) is more about rules and behavior. 'Min mor tillader mig ikke at gå ud' (My mom doesn't allow me to go out). 'Bevilge' is too heavy here.

Vil du tillade, at jeg låner din bil? (Will you allow me to borrow your car?)

Ekvipere is a very niche synonym meaning 'to equip' or 'to provide with gear', but it's rarely used today. Yde is another important one, meaning 'to provide' or 'to render' (as in 'yde støtte' - to provide support). While bevilge is the decision to give, yde is often the actual act of providing the support.

Formal Alternatives Table

Godkende: To approve (a plan).
Sanktionere: To sanction (official approval).
Allokere: To allocate (technical/economic).

Vi skal allokere flere ressourcer til it-afdelingen.

In summary, choose bevilge when there is a formal request, an authoritative decision-maker, and usually a financial or legal outcome. For everything else, one of these alternatives will likely fit better.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Ministeriet har bevilget de fornødne midler til projektet."

Neutral

"Banken bevilgede os et lån til det nye hus."

Informal

"Jeg bevilger lige mig selv en kage til kaffen."

Child friendly

"Far bevilgede os lov til at se en film ekstra."

Slang

"Bevilger du lige en bajer?"

Fun Fact

The root 'vilge' is related to the word 'vilje' (will), meaning when you 'bevilge' something, you are officially exerting your 'will' to make it happen.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /beˈviljə/

US /beˈviljə/

Stress is on the second syllable: be-VIL-ge.

Rhymes With

tilgive vildlede mildne hvilke skille spilde ville stille

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' as a hard 'g' like in 'goat'. In Danish 'ge' at the end is very soft.
Stressing the first syllable 'be-'.
Confusing the 'v' with a 'w' sound.
Making the 'i' sound too long like 'ee'. It should be short.
Pronouncing it like 'beverage' in English.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in formal texts once the root is known.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of the correct context to avoid sounding too formal.

Speaking 4/5

Pronunciation of the 'ge' ending can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and official announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

give penge ansøge vilje lov

Learn Next

bevilling ansøgning godkende tildele dispensation

Advanced

hjemmel allokere subsidier øremærke finanslov

Grammar to Know

Passive with 'blive'

Ansøgningen bliver bevilget i morgen.

Passive with 'få'

Jeg har fået bevilget min ansøgning.

Double Object Construction

De bevilgede ham (indirect) støtte (direct).

Word Order in Subordinate Clauses

Jeg ved, at de bevilger pengene.

Infinitive with 'at'

Det er nødvendigt at bevilge flere midler.

Examples by Level

De vil bevilge penge til skolen.

They will grant money to the school.

Future tense with 'vil'.

Banken kan bevilge et lån.

The bank can grant a loan.

Modal verb 'kan' + infinitive.

Han fik bevilget en ny computer.

He was granted a new computer.

Passive construction with 'fik'.

Bevilger de min ansøgning?

Are they granting my application?

Question form with inverted word order.

Vi bevilger støtte nu.

We are granting support now.

Present tense.

De bevilgede ham tid.

They granted him time.

Past tense 'bevilgede'.

Kan du bevilge mig en pause?

Can you grant me a break?

Informal use of a formal word.

Alt blev bevilget.

Everything was granted.

Passive with 'blev'.

Kommunen har bevilget penge til en legeplads.

The municipality has granted money for a playground.

Present perfect tense.

Du skal søge, før de kan bevilge noget.

You must apply before they can grant anything.

Subordinate clause with 'før'.

De bevilgede ikke hans ønske.

They did not grant his wish.

Negative sentence in past tense.

Hvor meget vil de bevilge?

How much will they grant?

Interrogative with 'hvor meget'.

Lederen bevilgede hende orlov.

The manager granted her leave.

Double object: hende (indirect), orlov (direct).

Ansøgningen blev bevilget i går.

The application was granted yesterday.

Passive voice.

De bevilger sjældent så store beløb.

They rarely grant such large amounts.

Adverb 'sjældent' placement.

Vi har fået bevilget en ny bil.

We have been granted a new car.

Present perfect passive.

Bestyrelsen valgte at bevilge et ekstraordinært tilskud.

The board chose to grant an extraordinary subsidy.

Infinitive phrase with 'at'.

Det er svært at få bevilget asyl i Danmark.

It is difficult to be granted asylum in Denmark.

Impersonal 'det er' construction.

Regeringen bevilger midler til grøn omstilling.

The government grants funds for green transition.

Specific political context.

Hvis de bevilger lånet, køber vi huset.

If they grant the loan, we will buy the house.

Conditional 'hvis' clause.

Hun blev bevilget en personlig assistent.

She was granted a personal assistant.

Passive voice with recipient as subject.

Der blev bevilget adgang til arkiverne.

Access to the archives was granted.

Formal passive.

Man kan ikke altid bevilge alt, hvad folk beder om.

One cannot always grant everything people ask for.

Generic 'man' as subject.

Projektet blev bevilget støtte fra EU.

The project was granted support from the EU.

Passive with 'fra' preposition.

Kommunalbestyrelsen har bevilget en anlægssum på 10 millioner.

The municipal council has granted a construction sum of 10 million.

Compound noun 'anlægssum'.

Det bevilgede beløb skal anvendes inden årets udgang.

The granted amount must be used before the end of the year.

Participle 'bevilgede' used as an adjective.

De bevilgede ham en undtagelse fra de gældende regler.

They granted him an exception from the current rules.

Abstract object 'undtagelse'.

Fondens formål er at bevilge penge til almennyttige formål.

The foundation's purpose is to grant money for charitable purposes.

Formal definition sentence.

Efter lange forhandlinger bevilgede de endelig budgettet.

After long negotiations, they finally granted the budget.

Prepositional phrase 'efter lange forhandlinger'.

Han bevilgede sig selv en velfortjent ferie efter projektet.

He granted himself a well-deserved vacation after the project.

Reflexive use 'bevilgede sig selv'.

Det er kutyme at bevilge orlov i sådanne tilfælde.

It is customary to grant leave in such cases.

Use of the word 'kutyme' (custom).

Der er ikke bevilget dækning for disse udgifter.

No coverage has been granted for these expenses.

Financial term 'dækning'.

Finansudvalget har bevilget en tillægsbevilling til politiet.

The Finance Committee has granted a supplementary appropriation to the police.

Technical term 'tillægsbevilling'.

Retten kan bevilge fri proces til økonomisk trængte borgere.

The court can grant free legal aid to citizens in financial need.

Legal term 'fri proces'.

Det bevilgede rådighedsbeløb er utilstrækkeligt til opgaven.

The granted available amount is insufficient for the task.

Technical term 'rådighedsbeløb'.

Man har bevilget dispensation for de miljømæssige krav.

An exemption has been granted for the environmental requirements.

Noun 'dispensation'.

Udenrigsministeriet bevilgede humanitær bistand til regionen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted humanitarian aid to the region.

Formal diplomatic context.

Spørgsmålet er, om ministeren overhovedet må bevilge midlerne.

The question is whether the minister is at all allowed to grant the funds.

Indirect question with 'om'.

Ansøgeren har fået bevilget aktindsigt i sagen.

The applicant has been granted access to the documents in the case.

Legal term 'aktindsigt'.

Fondet bevilger kun støtte til projekter med høj innovationsgrad.

The fund only grants support to projects with a high degree of innovation.

Restrictive 'kun' and high-level noun 'innovationsgrad'.

Der hersker tvivl om hjemmelen til at bevilge de pågældende subsidier.

There is doubt about the legal basis for granting the subsidies in question.

Legal term 'hjemmel'.

Kongen bevilgede i tidernes morgen privilegier til de handlende.

In the dawn of time, the King granted privileges to the merchants.

Archaic/Historical context.

Det bevilgede beløb skal ses i lyset af den nuværende konjunktur.

The granted amount must be seen in the light of the current economic situation.

Economic term 'konjunktur'.

Nævnet bevilgede klageren medhold i alle punkter.

The board granted the complainant's case on all points.

Legal term 'medhold'.

At bevilge skatteydernes penge kræver stor politisk varsomhed.

Granting taxpayers' money requires great political caution.

Gerund-like use of infinitive as subject.

Kommissionen har bevilget en midlertidig suspension af tolden.

The Commission has granted a temporary suspension of the customs duty.

Technical trade terminology.

Hvorvidt man skal bevilge yderligere kreditter, er til debat.

Whether further credits should be granted is under debate.

Use of 'hvorvidt'.

De bevilgede midler var øremærket til specifikke formål.

The granted funds were earmarked for specific purposes.

Idiomatic 'øremærket' (earmarked).

Common Collocations

bevilge et lån

bevilge støtte

bevilge penge

bevilge orlov

bevilge asyl

bevilge dispensation

bevilge adgang

bevilge midler

bevilge tilskud

bevilge overtræk

Common Phrases

at få noget bevilget

— To have something granted to you.

Jeg har fået bevilget en ny stol.

bevilget overtræk

— An authorized overdraft at a bank.

Husk at tjekke dit bevilgede overtræk.

at bevilge sig selv

— To humorously allow oneself a treat.

Jeg bevilger lige mig selv en pause.

ansøgningen er bevilget

— The application has been approved/granted.

Tillykke, ansøgningen er bevilget!

bevilge adgang til

— To grant access to a place or data.

De bevilgede adgang til arkivet.

bevilge fuldmagt

— To grant power of attorney.

Han bevilgede hende fuldmagt.

bevilge ressourcer

— To allocate resources to a task.

Vi skal bevilge flere ressourcer.

bevilge erstatning

— To grant compensation.

Forsikringen bevilgede erstatning.

bevilge rabat

— To grant a discount (formal).

Butikken bevilgede en lille rabat.

bevilge henstand

— To grant a deferral of payment.

Skattestyrelsen bevilgede henstand.

Often Confused With

bevilge vs tillade

Tillade means to give permission for an action, while bevilge is for resources or formal grants.

bevilge vs give

Give is general; bevilge is formal and institutional.

bevilge vs godkende

Godkende is to approve a plan; bevilge is to actually grant the money/items for it.

Idioms & Expressions

"at bevilge sig selv en morfar"

— To allow oneself a short nap.

Efter frokosten bevilgede han sig selv en morfar.

Informal/Humorous

"at bevilge en audiens"

— To grant a formal meeting (usually royalty).

Dronningen bevilgede audiens.

Very Formal

"bevilge på stående fod"

— To grant something immediately without much thought.

Lederen bevilgede det på stående fod.

Neutral

"bevilge med rund hånd"

— To grant generously.

Staten bevilgede penge med rund hånd.

Literary

"bevilge nåde"

— To grant mercy or a pardon.

Dommeren bevilgede ingen nåde.

Formal/Literary

"ikke at bevilge en krone"

— To refuse to give even a small amount of money.

De ville ikke bevilge en eneste krone.

Emphatic

"bevilge ordet"

— To allow someone to speak in a meeting.

Formanden bevilgede ham ordet.

Formal

"at bevilge en undtagelse"

— To grant an exception to the rule.

Vi kan bevilge en undtagelse i dag.

Neutral

"bevilge frihed"

— To grant freedom (often from a task).

Han bevilgede dem frihed fra pligterne.

Literary

"at få det bevilget ved lov"

— To have it granted by law.

Rettigheden er bevilget ved lov.

Formal

Easily Confused

bevilge vs Bestille

Both involve getting something.

Bestille is to order (like a pizza); bevilge is to grant (like a scholarship).

Jeg bestiller mad, men de bevilger min SU.

bevilge vs Tildele

Both involve giving something formal.

Tildele is for awards/prizes; bevilge is for requests/applications.

Han fik tildelt en pris, men bevilget et lån.

bevilge vs Yde

Both relate to providing support.

Yde is the act of providing; bevilge is the decision to allow it.

Kommunen bevilgede støtten, og nu yder de hjælpen.

bevilge vs Allokere

Both involve moving resources.

Allokere is a technical/budgetary term; bevilge is the administrative act of granting it to someone.

Vi allokerer budgettet, før vi bevilger pengene til dig.

bevilge vs Indrømme

In English, 'grant' can mean 'admit'.

Indrømme is to admit a fact; bevilge is to grant a resource.

Jeg indrømmer, du har ret, men jeg bevilger ikke pengene.

Sentence Patterns

Jeg vil [bevilge] [ting].

Jeg vil bevilge penge.

De har [bevilget] [ting] til [person].

De har bevilget støtte til os.

Det er vigtigt at [bevilge] [ressourcer].

Det er vigtigt at bevilge ressourcer til skolen.

Der er blevet [bevilget] [beløb] til [formål].

Der er blevet bevilget 2 millioner til projektet.

Myndighederne valgte at [bevilge] [dispensation].

Myndighederne valgte at bevilge dispensation fra reglerne.

Hvorvidt man kan [bevilge] [hjemmel], er usikkert.

Hvorvidt man kan bevilge hjemmel til dette, er usikkert.

Jeg har fået [bevilget] [ting].

Jeg har fået bevilget en ny computer.

Han [bevilgede] sig selv [ting].

Han bevilgede sig selv en pause.

Word Family

Nouns

bevilling A grant, appropriation, or license.

bevillingshaver A person or entity holding a grant/license.

bevillingsmyndighed The authority that grants licenses/funds.

Verbs

bevilge To grant.

Adjectives

bevilget Granted or authorized.

bevillingsmæssig Relating to a grant or appropriation.

How to Use It

frequency

Common in administrative and professional Danish; rare in casual family talk.

Common Mistakes

Jeg bevilger dig en gave. → Jeg giver dig en gave.
Bevilge is too formal for personal gifts between friends.
De bevilgede om pengene. → De bevilgede pengene.
Bevilge takes a direct object. You don't 'bevilge om' something.
Jeg er bevilget et lån. → Jeg har fået bevilget et lån.
'Jeg er bevilget' sounds unnatural. Use 'fået bevilget' for the passive sense of receiving.
Han bevilgede at gå. → Han tillod mig at gå.
Bevilge is for resources/permits, not simple actions like leaving a room. Use 'tillade'.
Bevilge en fejl. → Indrømme en fejl.
You don't 'grant' a mistake in the sense of admitting it. Use 'indrømme'.

Tips

Use in Work Emails

When asking your boss for a budget or a day off, 'bevilge' adds a professional tone. 'Vil du bevilge midler til dette?'

Learn the Noun

Always learn 'bevilling' alongside 'bevilge'. You will see 'bevilling' on many official documents.

Passive Construction

Master 'fået bevilget'. It is the most common way to say you received something from an authority.

The Welfare State

Understand that 'bevilge' is the key verb of the Danish welfare system. It's how resources reach the citizens.

Soft 'G'

Don't say 'be-vil-ge' with a hard G. Soften it until it's almost silent to sound native.

Bank Talk

If you are opening a bank account in Denmark, you will definitely hear this word regarding credit and loans.

Self-Granting

Use 'Jeg bevilger mig selv...' when you take a treat. It's a common Danish way to be a bit ironic.

Rights and Permits

Remember that permits like 'byggetilladelse' are 'bevilget' by the municipality.

Direct Object

You 'bevilger' something (money) to someone. You don't need a preposition like 'om'.

News Keywords

When you hear 'bevilge' on the news, pay attention—it usually means a new law or budget is being discussed.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Be-Will-Give'. An authority has the 'Will' to 'Give' you what you want. Bevilge!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant rubber stamp with 'BEVILGET' (Granted) hitting a document in a cloud of green ink.

Word Web

Penge Ansøgning Kommune Lån Støtte Tilladelse Bevilling Godkendelse

Challenge

Try to use 'bevilge' in three different contexts today: money, time, and a permit.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Low German word 'bewilligen'. It is composed of the prefix 'be-' and 'willigen', which comes from 'willen' (to will/want).

Original meaning: To show goodwill or to agree to something.

Germanic (Danish/Low German roots).

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'bevilge' with people in equal positions; it can sound patronizing as it implies you have authority over them.

In English, we might use 'grant', 'authorize', or 'approve'. 'Bevilge' is more specific to the act of providing the resource than just approving the idea.

Finansloven (The Danish Budget Law) Statens Uddannelsesstøtte (SU) Kommuneplaner (Municipal Plans)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Banking

bevilge et lån
bevilge kredit
bevilget overtræk
bevilge henstand

Politics

bevilge midler
bevilge tilskud
bevilge støtte
bevilge en ekstrabevilling

Work/Management

bevilge orlov
bevilge ferie
bevilge ressourcer
bevilge en undtagelse

Law/Bureaucracy

bevilge asyl
bevilge dispensation
bevilge aktindsigt
bevilge fri proces

Everyday Life

bevilge sig selv en pause
bevilge en tjeneste
få bevilget hjælpemidler
bevilge adgang

Conversation Starters

"Har du nogensinde fået bevilget et lån i banken?"

"Hvad synes du, staten skal bevilge flere penge til?"

"Ville din chef bevilge dig en måneds ekstra ferie, hvis du spurgte?"

"Er det svært at få bevilget støtte til iværksætteri i dit land?"

"Har du prøvet at bevilge dig selv en 'morfar' midt på dagen?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en gang, hvor du fik bevilget noget vigtigt, som f.eks. en studieplads eller et lån.

Hvis du var statsminister, hvad ville du så bevilge 10 milliarder kroner til?

Beskriv processen med at søge om noget og vente på, at det bliver bevilget.

Hvorfor er det vigtigt, at myndigheder bevilger penge retfærdigt?

Skriv om en ting, du gerne vil bevilge dig selv i denne uge som en belønning.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would sound very strange. Use 'give' for presents. 'Bevilge' is for official things like loans or grants.

'Godkende' means to approve a plan or a form. 'Bevilge' means to actually grant the resources (like money) that were asked for. You often 'godkende' first and then 'bevilge'.

No, it can also be used for permits (byggetilladelse), time (orlov), or legal rights (asyl).

The most natural way is 'Jeg har fået bevilget...'. For example: 'Jeg har fået bevilget en ny kørestol'.

Yes, very common in news, work, and government documents. You will hear it every time the Danish budget is discussed.

Yes, it follows the Group 1 pattern: bevilge, bevilger, bevilgede, har bevilget.

Yes, but it's usually used humorously, like 'Jeg bevilger mig selv en pause' (I grant myself a break).

It is an 'authorized overdraft' at your bank. It means the bank has granted you permission to spend more than you have.

A 'bevilling' is the noun form. It means 'a grant' or 'a license' (like a liquor license).

Yes, 'bevilgede'. For example: 'De bevilgede pengene i går'.