To define is to establish the clear boundaries and meaning of a concept.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To state the exact meaning of a term or concept
- To describe the nature or scope of something clearly
- To identify the essential qualities that make something unique
Overview
Verbet 'at definere' er et centralt ord i det danske sprog, især når vi taler om præcision og kommunikation. Det stammer fra latin og handler grundlæggende om at markere grænserne for noget. Når man definerer noget, fjerner man tvetydighed og skaber en fælles forståelse for et emne.
Usage Patterns
Ordet bruges ofte i refleksiv form ('at definere sig selv') eller i passiv ('er defineret ved'). Det optræder hyppigt sammen med abstrakte navneord som 'begreb', 'rolle', 'mål' eller 'identitet'. Konstruktionen er typisk: 'At definere [objekt] som [værdi/egenskab]'.
Common Contexts
I akademiske sammenhænge er det essentielt at definere sine termer tidligt i en opgave. I erhvervslivet taler man ofte om at definere strategier eller ansvarsområder. Privat bruger vi det om vores personlighed: 'Det definerer mig som person'.
Similar Words comparison
'Beskrive' er mere bredt og fokuserer på ydre kendetegn, mens 'definere' er mere analytisk og søger at indfange kernen eller essensen. 'Fastlægge' bruges mere om regler eller beslutninger, hvor 'definere' handler om begrebsmæssig klarhed.
Examples
Vi må definere reglerne for spillet.
everydayWe must define the rules of the game.
Forfatteren definerer begrebet frihed som fravær af tvang.
academicThe author defines the concept of freedom as the absence of coercion.
Det definerer mig ikke, hvad andre tænker.
informalWhat others think does not define me.
Vi skal definere rammerne for projektet.
formalWe need to define the scope of the project.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
hvordan definerer du det?
how do you define that?
det er svært at definere
it is hard to define
klart defineret mål
clearly defined goal
Often Confused With
To describe focuses on visual or sensory details, while to define focuses on logical boundaries and meaning.
To set or fix something (like a date or a price), whereas define is about the meaning of a concept.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use 'definere' when you need to be precise. It is highly common in academic, professional, and intellectual contexts. Avoid it when a simpler synonym like 'betyde' fits the situation.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'definere' where 'betyde' (mean) would be more natural. Remember: you define a concept, but a word means something. Do not use it to describe physical actions.
Tips
Use for clarity in academic writing
Always define your key terms early in an essay to avoid confusion. This shows the reader you have a clear grasp of your topic.
Avoid overusing in casual conversation
Using 'definere' in everyday small talk can sound pretentious. Stick to simpler verbs like 'betyde' or 'forklare' in social settings.
The importance of definition in Danish debate
Danes value precision in discussions. Asking 'hvordan definerer du det?' is a common way to challenge an opponent's premise.
Word Origin
From Latin 'definire', meaning 'to limit' or 'to bound'. 'De-' means 'from/completely' and 'finis' means 'boundary' or 'end'.
Cultural Context
Danish culture places high value on consensus. Defining terms is seen as a way to reach that consensus and avoid misunderstandings in democratic processes.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'fine' in 'define' as creating a 'fine line' around a word to show exactly what it means. It draws a border around the concept.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsDu bruger det, når du skal forklare præcis, hvad noget er, eller når du vil sætte rammerne for en diskussion.
Ja, ordet er neutralt til formelt. Det bruges sjældent i meget uformelt dagligdagssprog.
Ja, man kan sige, at en bestemt oplevelse definerer en person, hvilket betyder, at oplevelsen har formet vedkommendes identitet.
At definere er at give en præcis betydning, mens at forklare er at gøre noget forståeligt gennem uddybning og eksempler.
Test Yourself
Det er vigtigt at ___ sine mål, før man starter projektet.
Man definerer mål for at gøre dem klare og opnåelige.
Hvilken sætning er korrekt?
Definition handler om at præcisere betydning.
selv / definerer / jeg / min / succes
Standard dansk ordstilling er subjekt-verbum-objekt.
Score: /3
Summary
To define is to establish the clear boundaries and meaning of a concept.
- To state the exact meaning of a term or concept
- To describe the nature or scope of something clearly
- To identify the essential qualities that make something unique
Use for clarity in academic writing
Always define your key terms early in an essay to avoid confusion. This shows the reader you have a clear grasp of your topic.
Avoid overusing in casual conversation
Using 'definere' in everyday small talk can sound pretentious. Stick to simpler verbs like 'betyde' or 'forklare' in social settings.
The importance of definition in Danish debate
Danes value precision in discussions. Asking 'hvordan definerer du det?' is a common way to challenge an opponent's premise.
Examples
4 of 4Vi må definere reglerne for spillet.
We must define the rules of the game.
Forfatteren definerer begrebet frihed som fravær af tvang.
The author defines the concept of freedom as the absence of coercion.
Det definerer mig ikke, hvad andre tænker.
What others think does not define me.
Vi skal definere rammerne for projektet.
We need to define the scope of the project.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More academic words
abstrahere
C1To consider something independently of its associations.
afklaring
B2The act of making something clear or clarified
afspejle
B2To reflect or show the nature of something.
afveje
B2To weigh up different options.
afvige
B2To depart from an established course.
analysere
B1to examine in detail for purposes of explanation
andelen
B1The share, proportion, or part of a whole.
anerkendt
B2Generally accepted or recognized
anfægtelig
C1debatable or contestable
anmærke
C1to note or point out
