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B1 noun 10 min read

hensyn

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips hensyn in 30 Seconds

Explanation hensyn in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'hensyn' as a word for being 'nice' or 'quiet' when other people are around. You will mostly see it on signs like 'Vis hensyn' (Show consideration) in parks or on trains. You don't need to know all the complex grammar yet. Just remember the phrase 'tage hensyn til' (take consideration of). For example, 'Jeg tager hensyn til dig' means 'I am being nice/considerate to you'. It is a very important word in Denmark because Danes like peace and quiet in public places. If you learn this word early, you will understand many of the rules in Danish society. It is often used when talking about noise, trash, or traffic. Even at this basic level, knowing that Danes value 'hensyn' will help you fit in better when you visit Denmark.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'hensyn' in simple sentences about your daily life. You can use it to talk about your neighbors, your family, or your coworkers. A common sentence might be: 'Vi skal tage hensyn til naboerne'. This shows you understand that your actions affect others. You should also learn the adjective 'hensynsfuld', which means 'considerate'. You can say 'Min ven er meget hensynsfuld'. This level is about moving from just seeing the word on signs to using it in your own basic conversations. You might also notice the phrase 'af hensyn til', which means 'because of' or 'out of consideration for'. For example, 'Af hensyn til min mor ringer jeg hver dag'. It is a useful way to explain why you are doing something for someone else.

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand 'hensyn' as a social and ethical concept. You should be able to use it in discussions about the environment, workplace dynamics, and social responsibility. You will notice that 'hensyn' is often paired with specific topics, like 'miljøhensyn' (environmental considerations) or 'sikkerhedshensyn' (security considerations). At this stage, you should be comfortable using the full expression 'at tage hensyn til' in different tenses. You should also be able to distinguish between 'hensyn' and 'hensigt' (intention), as confusing these is a common mistake. You might start to hear the word in more formal contexts, like news reports or at work meetings where different 'hensyn' are being weighed against each other to make a decision. Understanding the nuances of 'hensyn' is key to reaching intermediate fluency in Danish.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'hensyn' in complex arguments and formal writing. You will encounter the word in legal, political, and philosophical discussions. For example, you might discuss 'hensynet til den personlige frihed' (the consideration for personal freedom) versus 'hensynet til almenvellet' (the consideration for the common good). You should also be familiar with the more formal noun 'hensyntagen'. At B2, you should understand that 'hensyn' can be pluralized when referring to multiple distinct factors or criteria. You will also be able to use the word 'hensynsløs' (reckless/inconsiderate) correctly to describe behavior that lacks social responsibility. Your understanding of 'hensyn' should now include its role as a fundamental value in Danish 'samfundssind' (community spirit).

At the C1 level, your use of 'hensyn' should be precise and nuanced. You will understand how the word functions in bureaucratic and legal language, where 'et sagligt hensyn' (a relevant/objective consideration) is a specific term in administrative law. You should be able to discuss the 'afvejning af hensyn' (balancing of considerations) in complex policy debates. You will also recognize the word in literature and high-level journalism, where it might be used to describe subtle social dynamics or historical shifts in ethics. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are manipulating it to express complex ideas about justice, empathy, and social engineering. You should also be aware of the historical etymology of the word and how it relates to Germanic roots of 'seeing' or 'looking' (syn).

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'hensyn' in all its forms and contexts. You can use it in academic papers, legal briefs, and high-level diplomatic communication. You understand the philosophical implications of 'hensyn' as a form of 'recognition' (anerkendelse). You can effortlessly navigate the subtle differences between 'hensyn', 'omtanke', 'respekt', and 'agtpågivenhed'. You might use the word in abstract discussions about the nature of the state or the limits of individual autonomy. At this level, you also understand the irony or sarcasm when someone says 'Hvor er det dog et fint hensyn!' in a critical way. Your mastery of 'hensyn' reflects a deep immersion in Danish culture and a sophisticated understanding of its social contract.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

hensyn in 30 Seconds

Hensyn is the Danish word for consideration or regard for others.
It is primarily used in the phrase 'at tage hensyn til' (to show consideration for).
It is a core social value in Denmark, especially in public spaces and traffic.
The word can be singular or plural and forms compounds like 'miljøhensyn'.

The Danish noun hensyn is a fundamental pillar of Danish social interaction and ethics. At its core, it translates to consideration, regard, or respect for the needs, feelings, or circumstances of others. However, in a Danish cultural context, it carries a weightier implication of social responsibility and communal harmony. It is the invisible thread that keeps the high-density living of Danish cities and the cooperative nature of the Danish workplace functioning smoothly. When you use the word hensyn, you are talking about the act of looking outside of your own immediate desires to acknowledge how your actions affect the collective or a specific individual.

Social Etiquette: In Denmark, taking hensyn is expected in public spaces. This includes keeping your voice down on the 'stillezone' (quiet zone) of the train, cleaning up after yourself in shared parks, and ensuring your bicycle does not block the sidewalk for wheelchair users.
Professional Context: In meetings, a leader might ask the team to take hensyn to the budget constraints or to a colleague's workload. It implies a strategic and empathetic balancing of priorities.
Environmental and Ethical Use: The word is frequently paired with 'miljø' (environment) or 'dyrevelfærd' (animal welfare), indicating a conscious choice to minimize harm or maximize benefit to the world around us.

Vi bliver nødt til at tage hensyn til de ældre beboere i opgangen, når vi holder fest.

Translation: We need to show consideration for the elderly residents in the building when we have a party.

The word is most commonly encountered in the fixed expression at tage hensyn til (to take consideration of/to show consideration for). It is rarely used in isolation as a simple object; it almost always requires a target—someone or something that is being considered. This grammatical requirement mirrors the social reality: consideration does not exist in a vacuum; it requires an 'other'.

Der skal tages mange forskellige hensyn i denne sag.

Translation: Many different considerations must be taken in this case.

Furthermore, 'hensyn' is used in formal administrative language. When the government or a company makes a decision, they often list the 'hensyn' they have evaluated. This could range from economic stability to public health. In these contexts, the word moves from being purely about 'kindness' to being about 'factors' or 'criteria' that must be weighed against each other.

Daily Life Examples: 'Vis hensyn i trafikken' (Show consideration in traffic) is a common sign on Danish roads. It asks drivers to watch out for cyclists and pedestrians, emphasizing that the road is a shared resource.

Using hensyn correctly in Danish primarily revolves around mastering the phrase at tage hensyn til. This construction is remarkably versatile and can be used in almost any tense or mood. Whether you are making a polite request, stating a fact, or discussing a complex legal requirement, the structure remains consistent: Subject + verb (tage) + hensyn + til + object.

Du skal tage hensyn til dine naboer, når du spiller musik.

Translation: You must show consideration for your neighbors when you play music.

The word can also be used with the verb at vise (to show). While 'tage hensyn' often implies an internal decision-making process or a general rule, 'vise hensyn' often refers to the outward manifestation of that consideration in a specific moment. For example, a sign might say 'Vis hensyn', which is a direct command to act considerately toward those around you.

Using 'Af hensyn til': This is a very common prepositional phrase meaning 'out of consideration for' or 'for the sake of'. It is frequently used in formal notices. For instance, 'Af hensyn til sikkerheden er døren låst' (For the sake of security, the door is locked).
Plural Usage: When there are multiple factors to consider, you use the plural form 'hensyn'. 'Der er mange hensyn at tage i denne beslutning' (There are many considerations to take in this decision).

Af hensyn til miljøet bruger vi ikke plastikposer.

Translation: Out of consideration for the environment, we do not use plastic bags.

In more advanced usage, you might encounter 'hensyn' as part of a compound noun. Words like 'miljøhensyn' (environmental considerations) or 'sikkerhedshensyn' (security considerations) allow for very precise and professional communication. These compounds are particularly common in journalism, politics, and business reports.

Vi må tage et særligt hensyn til børnene.

Translation: We must take a special consideration for the children.

Finally, consider the adjective derived from the noun: hensynsfuld (considerate). If you want to describe a person rather than an action, this is the word to use. 'Han er en meget hensynsfuld mand' (He is a very considerate man). Conversely, hensynsløs means reckless or inconsiderate, often used to describe dangerous driving or selfish behavior.

If you spend any time in Denmark, you will hear and see the word hensyn everywhere—from the speakers of the Copenhagen Metro to the quiet halls of a library. It is a word that permeates Danish public life because it serves as the primary linguistic tool for managing shared space. In a culture that values the collective over the individual in many public spheres, 'hensyn' is the word that enforces those boundaries politely.

Public Transportation: On DSB trains, you will often hear announcements or see stickers saying: 'Vis hensyn - benyt venligst hovedtelefoner' (Show consideration - please use headphones). This is a direct appeal to the passenger's sense of 'hensyn' to ensure a pleasant environment for everyone.
The Workplace (Kontoret): In Danish offices, which are often open-plan, 'hensyn' is discussed constantly. Colleagues might say, 'Kan vi tage hensyn til, at jeg sidder i et vigtigt opkald?' (Can we show consideration for the fact that I am on an important call?). It is used to negotiate space and noise levels without being overly confrontational.

Af hensyn til de andre gæster beder vi jer dæmpe stemmen.

Translation: Out of consideration for the other guests, we ask you to lower your voices.

In the news and political debates, 'hensyn' is used to describe the balancing act of government. A politician might say, 'Vi skal balancere hensynet til vækst med hensynet til klimaet' (We must balance the consideration for growth with the consideration for the climate). Here, the word is more abstract, referring to competing interests or priorities that must be weighed in a fair and rational manner.

Der findes ingen lov uden hensyn til undtagelser.

Translation: There is no law without consideration for exceptions.

You will also encounter it in personal relationships. If a friend says, 'Tak fordi du tog hensyn til mine planer' (Thanks for taking my plans into consideration), they are acknowledging that you adjusted your own behavior to accommodate them. It is a word of gratitude and recognition of empathy.

Educational Settings: In schools, teachers emphasize 'at tage hensyn til sine klassekammerater' (taking consideration of one's classmates) from a very young age. It is considered a core social skill that children must learn to be successful in Danish society.

For English speakers learning Danish, the word hensyn presents a few specific challenges, mostly related to prepositions and confusion with similar-sounding words. Because 'consideration' in English can be used in many ways, it is easy to misapply the Danish equivalent.

Mistake 1: Forgetting 'til': The most common error is saying 'tage hensyn for' or just 'tage hensyn' without a preposition. In Danish, you almost always take consideration til someone or something.
Wrong: Jeg tager hensyn for dig.
Right: Jeg tager hensyn til dig.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'hensyn' and 'hensigt': 'Hensigt' means intention or purpose. Because both start with 'hen-', learners often swap them. If you say 'Min hensyn er god', you are saying 'My consideration is good' (which sounds odd), when you probably mean 'Min hensigt er god' (My intention is good).
Mistake 3: Overusing the plural: In English, we often say 'take all considerations'. In Danish, even when thinking about many things, we often use the singular 'hensyn' unless we are specifically referring to a list of different factors. 'Vi tager hensyn til alt' is more common than 'Vi tager alle hensyn'.

Det er en fejl at tro, at hensyn betyder det samme som medfølelse.

Translation: It is a mistake to believe that 'hensyn' means the same as compassion.

Another nuance involves the difference between 'hensyn' and 'omsorg' (care/nurturing). While 'hensyn' is about not disturbing or negatively impacting others, 'omsorg' is about actively providing for their needs. If someone is sick, you show 'omsorg' by bringing them soup, but you show 'hensyn' by not playing loud music while they sleep. Using 'hensyn' when you mean 'active care' can make you sound a bit distant or clinical.

Man kan ikke bare ignorere de økonomiske hensyn.

Translation: One cannot just ignore the economic considerations.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'hensynsløs'. It is a very strong word in Danish. While in English 'inconsiderate' might just mean someone forgot to say thank you, 'hensynsløs' in Danish often implies a blatant, even aggressive disregard for others, such as driving 100 km/h in a residential zone. Use it sparingly!

While hensyn is the most versatile word for consideration, Danish offers several synonyms and related terms that can add precision to your speech. Depending on whether you are talking about respect, caution, or empathy, you might choose a different word.

Omtanke (Thoughtfulness): This word is more personal and warm than 'hensyn'. It implies that you have put thought into someone else's situation. If you buy a gift that you know a friend will love, that is 'omtanke'. 'Hensyn' would be more about not waking them up early.
Respekt (Respect): While 'hensyn' is often about behavior, 'respekt' is about the underlying attitude. You take 'hensyn' to someone because you have 'respekt' for them. 'Respekt' is a broader term that covers admiration and acknowledgement of status or rights.
Vagt (Awareness/Vigilance): In some contexts, especially safety, you might hear 'vagt' or 'opmærksomhed'. However, 'hensyn' remains the standard for social interactions.

Der er stor forskel på at vise hensyn og blot at følge reglerne.

Translation: There is a big difference between showing consideration and merely following the rules.

For more formal or academic writing, you might use hensyntagen. This is a gerund-like noun meaning 'the taking of consideration'. It is often used in legal documents: 'Under hensyntagen til de foreliggende beviser...' (Taking into account the available evidence...). It is much more formal than the standard 'hensyn'.

Vi må handle med omtanke for fremtidige generationer.

Translation: We must act with thoughtfulness for future generations.

Finally, consider discretion (diskretion). While 'hensyn' is about being nice or fair, 'diskretion' is specifically about being private and not revealing secrets. If you are taking 'hensyn' to someone's privacy, you are being 'diskret'. Understanding these subtle differences will help you navigate Danish social nuances more effectively.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word is a 'calque' or loan-translation from German 'Hinsicht'. It shares the same root as the Danish word for 'sight' (syn).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈhɛnsyːˀn/

US /ˈhɛnsin/

The stress is on the first syllable: HEN-syn.

Rhymes With

syn lyn bryn fyn gryn skyn tilsyn eftersyn

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'y' like an English 'i' (as in 'sin'). It should be a rounded 'y' like in German 'über'.
Forgetting the stød (glottal stop) at the end of the word.
Pronouncing the 'h' too softly.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'hensigt'.
Making the 'e' too long.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize on signs, but can be complex in legal texts.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct use of the preposition 'til'.

Speaking 4/5

The 'y' sound and 'stød' can be tricky for English speakers.

Listening 3/5

Commonly heard in public announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

se syn tage til folk

Learn Next

hensigt omtanke omsorg retfærdighed ansvar

Advanced

hensyntagen præcedens forvaltningsret etik altruisme

Grammar to Know

Prepositional Verbs

Verbs like 'tage hensyn' always require a specific preposition ('til').

Compound Nouns

Danish combines words like 'miljø' + 'hensyn' = 'miljøhensyn'.

Definite Suffix

En-ord (common gender) like hensyn become 'hensynet' in the definite.

Plurality of Abstract Nouns

Abstract nouns like hensyn can be pluralized to mean 'factors'.

Adjective Formation

Adding '-fuld' (full) or '-løs' (less) to nouns to create adjectives.

Examples by Level

Vis hensyn.

Show consideration.

Imperative form.

Jeg tager hensyn til dig.

I show consideration for you.

Present tense with 'til'.

Husk at tage hensyn.

Remember to show consideration.

Infinitive after 'husk'.

Vi tager hensyn til naboen.

We show consideration for the neighbor.

Plural subject.

Han tager ikke hensyn.

He does not show consideration.

Negative sentence.

Tag hensyn i toget.

Show consideration on the train.

Prepositional phrase 'i toget'.

Er det et hensyn?

Is that a consideration?

Question form.

Tak for dit hensyn.

Thanks for your consideration.

Possessive pronoun 'dit'.

Du skal tage hensyn til de andre.

You must show consideration for the others.

Modal verb 'skal'.

Hun er meget hensynsfuld.

She is very considerate.

Adjective 'hensynsfuld'.

Af hensyn til hunden må vi gå nu.

Out of consideration for the dog, we must go now.

Phrase 'af hensyn til'.

Vi tager hensyn til miljøet.

We show consideration for the environment.

Direct object 'miljøet'.

Kan du tage hensyn til min mor?

Can you show consideration for my mother?

Interrogative with modal.

De tog hensyn til mine ønsker.

They showed consideration for my wishes.

Past tense 'tog'.

Det er vigtigt at vise hensyn.

It is important to show consideration.

Infinitive phrase.

Uden hensyn til reglerne kørte han stærkt.

Without consideration for the rules, he drove fast.

Phrase 'uden hensyn til'.

Virksomheden tager hensyn til de ansattes behov.

The company takes consideration of the employees' needs.

Genitive 'ansattes'.

Vi må balancere forskellige hensyn.

We must balance different considerations.

Plural 'hensyn'.

Af hensyn til sikkerheden skal du bruge hjelm.

For safety reasons, you must use a helmet.

Formal 'af hensyn til'.

Han handlede uden hensyn til konsekvenserne.

He acted without regard for the consequences.

Abstract noun 'konsekvenserne'.

Der skal tages hensyn til alle parter.

Consideration must be taken for all parties.

Passive voice 'skal tages'.

Det var et nødvendigt hensyn at tage.

It was a necessary consideration to take.

Adjective + noun.

Hensynet til familien kommer først.

Consideration for the family comes first.

Definite singular 'hensynet'.

Vi har taget hensyn til dit budget.

We have taken your budget into consideration.

Present perfect.

Af hensyn til privatlivets fred kan vi ikke udtale os.

For the sake of privacy, we cannot comment.

Fixed legal phrase.

Hensynsløs kørsel straffes med bøde.

Reckless driving is punished with a fine.

Compound adjective 'hensynsløs'.

Der er mange etiske hensyn i denne forskning.

There are many ethical considerations in this research.

Adjective 'etiske'.

Vi må udvise størst muligt hensyn.

We must show the greatest possible consideration.

Superlative 'størst muligt'.

Hensyntagen til miljøet er en kerneværdi.

Taking the environment into consideration is a core value.

Formal noun 'hensyntagen'.

Beslutningen blev truffet under hensyn til de nye data.

The decision was made with consideration to the new data.

Passive 'blev truffet'.

Man kan ikke ignorere hensynet til minoriteter.

One cannot ignore the consideration for minorities.

Definite noun.

De økonomiske hensyn vejer tungt.

The economic considerations weigh heavily.

Metaphorical use of 'vejer tungt'.

Loven foreskriver en nøje afvejning af modstridende hensyn.

The law prescribes a careful balancing of conflicting considerations.

Complex noun phrase.

Af hensyn til sagens oplysning skal vi høre vidnet.

In order to clarify the case, we must hear the witness.

Formal administrative phrase.

Hensynet til statens sikkerhed trumfer individets ret.

The consideration for state security trumps the individual's right.

Verb 'trumfer'.

Der er tale om en grov tilsidesættelse af almindelige hensyn.

This is a gross disregard for common considerations.

Noun 'tilsidesættelse'.

Under hensyntagen til de særlige omstændigheder gives der dispensation.

Taking into account the special circumstances, an exemption is granted.

Gerund construction.

Hensynet til barnets tarv er det vigtigste.

The consideration for the child's best interests is the most important.

Legal term 'barnets tarv'.

Man må handle med skyldigt hensyn til lovgivningen.

One must act with due regard for the legislation.

Adjective 'skyldigt'.

Der tages ikke de nødvendige hensyn i den nye plan.

The necessary considerations are not being taken in the new plan.

Passive negative.

Diskursen er præget af en ensidig vægtning af økonomiske hensyn.

The discourse is characterized by a one-sided emphasis on economic considerations.

Academic vocabulary.

Hensynet til den offentlige orden retfærdiggør indgrebet.

Consideration for public order justifies the intervention.

Formal justification.

Retspraksis har i stigende grad vægtet hensynet til miljøet.

Case law has increasingly emphasized consideration for the environment.

Present perfect with 'vægtet'.

Det er en hårfin balancegang mellem modstridende hensyn.

It is a delicate balancing act between conflicting considerations.

Metaphor 'balancegang'.

Uden hensyntagen til de sociokulturelle faktorer fejler projektet.

Without taking sociocultural factors into account, the project fails.

Complex compound adjective.

Hensynet til retssikkerheden er fundamentalt i et demokrati.

Consideration for legal certainty is fundamental in a democracy.

Abstract concept 'retssikkerhed'.

Man må problematisere det manglende hensyn til fremtidens generationer.

One must problematize the lack of consideration for future generations.

Academic verb 'problematisere'.

Hensynet til procesøkonomi må ikke ske på bekostning af retfærdighed.

Consideration for procedural economy must not happen at the expense of justice.

Compound 'procesøkonomi'.

Common Collocations

tage hensyn til

vise hensyn

af hensyn til

uden hensyn til

etiske hensyn

økonomiske hensyn

særlige hensyn

miljøhensyn

sikkerhedshensyn

modstridende hensyn

Common Phrases

Tag hensyn!

— A direct command to be considerate or quiet.

Tag hensyn til de sovende børn!

Med hensyn til...

— Regarding or concerning a specific topic.

Med hensyn til din ansøgning, så har vi modtaget den.

Af hensyn til alle.

— For the benefit or sake of everyone involved.

Vi lukker tidligt af hensyn til alle.

Tage et hensyn.

— To make a specific exception or adjustment for someone.

Vi kan godt tage et hensyn denne gang.

Vis mest muligt hensyn.

— Show as much consideration as possible.

Vis mest muligt hensyn i naturen.

Uden det mindste hensyn.

— Without the slightest bit of consideration.

Han råbte uden det mindste hensyn.

Af praktiske hensyn.

— For practical reasons or convenience.

Af praktiske hensyn flytter vi mødet.

Af personlige hensyn.

— For personal reasons or privacy.

Hun sagde op af personlige hensyn.

Hensynet vejer tungt.

— The consideration is very important in the decision.

Hensynet til sikkerheden vejer tungt.

Et spørgsmål om hensyn.

— A matter of being considerate.

Det er bare et spørgsmål om hensyn.

Often Confused With

hensyn vs hensigt

Hensigt means 'intention'. Hensyn means 'consideration'.

hensyn vs omsorg

Omsorg is 'active care/nurturing'. Hensyn is 'avoiding harm/respecting boundaries'.

hensyn vs respekt

Respekt is the feeling. Hensyn is the action/behavior.

Idioms & Expressions

"at tage hensyn til gud og hvermand"

— To try to please absolutely everyone, often impossible.

Man kan ikke tage hensyn til gud og hvermand.

informal

"uden hensyn til tab af menneskeliv"

— A very serious phrase meaning total disregard for life.

De angreb uden hensyn til tab af menneskeliv.

formal

"at vise sit sande ansigt uden hensyn"

— To act selfishly without caring what others think.

Han viste sit sande ansigt uden hensyn til os.

literary

"et hensyn der rækker ud over"

— A consideration that goes beyond the immediate situation.

Det er et hensyn der rækker ud over nuet.

formal

"at feje alle hensyn til side"

— To ignore every rule or feeling to get what one wants.

Han fejede alle hensyn til side for at vinde.

neutral

"i hensyn til"

— An older, rarer way of saying 'with regard to'.

I hensyn til loven er dette ulovligt.

archaic

"at tage hensyn til den mindste detalje"

— To be extremely thorough and careful.

Hun tog hensyn til den mindste detalje i planen.

neutral

"af hensyn til husfreden"

— Doing something just to avoid an argument at home.

Jeg vasker op af hensyn til husfreden.

informal

"at handle med lempe og hensyn"

— To act with gentleness and consideration.

Lægen handlede med lempe og hensyn.

literary

"uden smålig skelen til hensyn"

— To act boldly without worrying about minor rules.

Han gennemførte planen uden smålig skelen til hensyn.

formal

Easily Confused

hensyn vs Hensigt

Similar prefix 'hen-'.

Hensigt is what you want to achieve. Hensyn is how you treat others while doing it.

Min hensigt var god, men jeg tog ikke hensyn til dig.

hensyn vs Omtanke

Both involve thinking of others.

Omtanke is more about being thoughtful/kind. Hensyn is more about being considerate/not disturbing.

Det var pænt af dig at have omtanke for mig.

hensyn vs Omsorg

Both relate to caring.

Omsorg is providing help (nursing, feeding). Hensyn is respecting space (quiet, privacy).

Sygeplejersken viste stor omsorg.

hensyn vs Agtelse

Both relate to respect.

Agtelse is high esteem or honor for someone's character.

Han har vundet alles agtelse.

hensyn vs Diskretion

Both involve careful behavior.

Diskretion is specifically about keeping secrets or being invisible.

Vi behandler din sag med fuld diskretion.

Sentence Patterns

Jeg tager hensyn.

Jeg tager hensyn til [Person].

Jeg tager hensyn til min nabo.

Af hensyn til [Ting], skal vi [Handling].

Af hensyn til miljøet, skal vi spare på vandet.

Der skal tages hensyn til [Faktor].

Der skal tages hensyn til budgettet.

Hensynet til [Koncept] vejer tungere end [Koncept].

Hensynet til sikkerheden vejer tungere end friheden.

Under hensyntagen til [Omstændighed]...

Under hensyntagen til de økonomiske konjunkturer...

Han er en [Adjektiv] person.

Han er en hensynsfuld person.

Det var en [Adjektiv] handling.

Det var en hensynsløs handling.

Word Family

Nouns

hensyn

hensyntagen

hensynsløshed

miljøhensyn

sikkerhedshensyn

Verbs

hensyntegne (rare)

tage hensyn

vise hensyn

Adjectives

hensynsfuld

hensynsløs

hensigtsmæssig (related)

syn

hensigt

omtanke

respekt

omsorg

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, signs, and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

Jeg tager hensyn for dig. → Jeg tager hensyn til dig.
Danish uses the preposition 'til' with hensyn, not 'for'.
Min hensyn er at hjælpe. → Min hensigt er at hjælpe.
You are confusing 'consideration' with 'intention'.
Han er en hensynsløs person. → Han er en hensynsløs person.
Wait, this is correct, but make sure you mean 'reckless' and not just 'impolite'.
Af hensyn på miljøet. → Af hensyn til miljøet.
The phrase is always 'af hensyn til'.
Tage hensynet til. → Tage hensyn til.
In the general phrase, you usually don't use the definite article 'the'.

Tips

The Quiet Zone

If you are in a 'Stillezone' on a Danish train, 'hensyn' is mandatory. This means no talking, even in a whisper, and no loud snacks.

The 'Til' Rule

Always remember the preposition 'til'. Without it, your sentence will sound incomplete to a native speaker.

Hensyn vs Hensigt

Associate 'Hensigt' with 'Goal' and 'Hensyn' with 'People'. You have a goal, but you show consideration for people.

Pronunciation

The 'y' in 'hensyn' is the hardest part. Practice it by making your mouth very small and round.

Formal Letters

Use 'Med hensyn til' to start a paragraph about a new topic in a professional email.

Cycling in Denmark

Showing 'hensyn' as a cyclist means signaling when you stop and staying in your lane.

Samfundssind

Understand that 'hensyn' is a part of 'samfundssind', the Danish idea of putting the community first.

Legal Context

In law, 'hensyn' are the specific reasons or factors a judge uses to make a ruling.

Being Considerate

If someone does something nice for you, call them 'hensynsfuld'. It is a very high compliment.

Hensynsløs

Only use 'hensynsløs' if someone is being truly selfish or dangerous, like driving too fast.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Hen' (like a chicken) having 'Syn' (vision). The chicken is looking towards others to make sure they are okay. Hen-Syn.

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of glasses looking toward a group of people. The glasses represent 'syn' (sight) and the direction represents 'hen' (towards).

Word Web

Respekt Omtanke Naboer Trafik Miljø Stillezone Samfundssind Hensynsfuld

Challenge

Try to use 'hensyn' in three different sentences today: one about a neighbor, one about the environment, and one about a friend.

Word Origin

From Middle Low German 'hensene', which is a combination of 'hen' (towards) and 'sene' (to see). It literally means 'looking towards' something.

Original meaning: The act of looking towards or directing one's sight toward something.

Germanic (Danish/German roots).

Cultural Context

Calling someone 'hensynsløs' is a strong insult in Denmark and should be used carefully.

In English, we often use 'consideration' or 'respect'. 'Hensyn' is slightly more specific to the act of adjusting your behavior for the collective good.

DSB (Danish State Railways) announcements always use 'vis hensyn'. Søren Kierkegaard discussed the ethics of the individual vs. the collective, which touches on 'hensyn'. The Danish Road Safety Council (Rådet for Sikker Trafik) uses 'hensyn' in most campaigns.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Traffic

Vis hensyn
Trafiksikkerhed
Hold afstand
Pas på de bløde trafikanter

Public Transport

Stillezone
Vis hensyn til andre passagerer
Brug høretelefoner
Giv plads

Workplace

Tage hensyn til budgettet
Hensyn til kolleger
Arbejdsmiljø
Fleksibilitet

Environment

Miljøhensyn
Bæredygtighed
Af hensyn til klimaet
Genbrug

Home/Apartment

Hensyn til naboer
Ingen larm efter klokken 22
Trappevask
Fællesarealer

Conversation Starters

"Hvordan tager man bedst hensyn til sine naboer i en lejlighed?"

"Synes du, at folk tager nok hensyn i trafikken her i byen?"

"Hvilke hensyn er de vigtigste, når man planlægger en fest?"

"Er det svært at balancere hensynet til arbejde og familie?"

"Hvad gør du, hvis nogen ikke tager hensyn til dig i toget?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om en gang, hvor du blev glad for, at nogen tog hensyn til dig.

Hvorfor er 'hensyn' et vigtigt ord i det danske samfund?

Beskriv en situation, hvor du følte, at du måtte tage et svært hensyn.

Hvordan kan vi vise mere hensyn til miljøet i vores hverdag?

Er der forskel på 'hensyn' i dit hjemland og i Danmark?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'hensyn' is a noun. However, it is used to form the adjectives 'hensynsfuld' (considerate) and 'hensynsløs' (inconsiderate). You cannot use 'hensyn' as a verb; you must pair it with 'tage' or 'vise'.

They are very similar. 'Tage hensyn' is more common when discussing a general rule or a decision-making process. 'Vis hensyn' is often used as a command or sign to encourage considerate behavior in the moment.

Usually, no. If you are being considerate of someone or something, you must use 'til'. You can only use it without 'til' in very general statements like 'Man skal altid tage hensyn' (One should always show consideration).

The word is 'hensynsløs'. Be careful, as it is quite strong and often implies a reckless or aggressive lack of care for others.

It can be both. 'Et hensyn' (singular) or 'mange hensyn' (plural). The plural is often used when there are many different factors to weigh in a decision.

Yes! This is a very common phrase in both spoken and written Danish. For example: 'Med hensyn til ferien...' (Regarding the vacation...).

It can be both neutral and formal. In daily life, it is a normal word for being polite. In legal or political contexts, it refers to specific criteria or factors.

It is a compound word meaning 'environmental considerations'. It is used to talk about making choices that are good for the planet.

Danes value communal peace. It is a polite way of asking people not to talk loudly on the phone or play music without headphones.

Not directly. You use 'at tage hensyn til'. If you mean 'to consider an idea', you use 'at overveje'.