At the A1 level, you don't need to use the noun 'skøn' very often. You will mostly hear the adjective 'skøn', which means 'lovely' or 'beautiful'. For example, 'Det er en skøn dag' (It is a lovely day). However, it is good to know that if you see 'et skøn' in a text about numbers or prices, it means an 'estimate'. You can think of it as a fancy word for 'a guess'. At this stage, focus on the difference between the adjective and the noun. If there is an 'et' before it and no other noun following it, it is likely the noun meaning 'estimate'. Try to remember the phrase 'efter mit skøn' as a way to say 'I think' or 'in my opinion', though 'jeg tror' is much more common for beginners. You won't be expected to produce this word in your own speaking yet, but recognizing it will help you understand more formal Danish signs or basic news headlines about the weather or prices.
At the A2 level, you can start using 'skøn' as a noun to talk about simple estimates. If you are shopping or planning a trip, you might say 'Mit skøn er, at det koster 100 kroner' (My estimate is that it costs 100 kroner). This sounds a bit more advanced than just saying 'Jeg tror'. You should also be aware that 'skøn' is a neuter noun (et skøn). This means you use 'skønnet' for 'the estimate'. You might see this on a bill or a price quote. It is also useful to learn the phrase 'efter eget skøn' (at your own discretion), which you might see in instructions or at a workplace. For example, 'Du kan tage pause efter eget skøn' (You can take a break at your own discretion). This level is about moving from basic verbs like 'to think' to nouns that represent those thoughts. Don't worry about the legal or professional nuances yet; just use it when you are making a calculated guess about time, money, or quantity.
By B1, you should be comfortable using 'skøn' in semi-formal situations. You will encounter it frequently in work contexts. If you are working in Denmark, your boss might ask for a 'skøn' on a task's duration. You should also understand the difference between 'et skøn' and 'en vurdering'. A 'skøn' is often quicker and based on intuition or experience, while a 'vurdering' feels more official. You can start using adjectives with it, like 'et forsigtigt skøn' (a cautious estimate) or 'et realistisk skøn' (a realistic estimate). You should also be able to recognize the word in the news, especially when they talk about 'økonomiske skøn' (economic forecasts). This is a key word for expressing uncertainty in a professional way. Instead of saying 'I don't know', you can say 'Det er svært at give et præcist skøn' (It is hard to give an exact estimate). This shows you are considering the complexity of the situation, which is a hallmark of B1 proficiency.
At the B2 level, 'skøn' becomes a vital part of your professional and academic vocabulary. You are expected to understand its role in 'forvaltningsret' (administrative law) and how it relates to discretionary decision-making. You should be able to discuss the 'skønsmæssige' (discretionary) elements of a case or a project. You should also be aware of the phrase 'at udøve et skøn' (to exercise judgment) and use it in formal writing. At this level, you should never confuse the noun with the adjective. You can use 'skøn' to debate topics like economic policy or social issues, where different experts provide different 'skøn'. You should also be familiar with collocations like 'et løst skøn' (a rough estimate) and 'et fagligt skøn' (a professional judgment). Your ability to use 'skøn' correctly in a variety of contexts—from estimating the number of people at an event to describing the powers of a judge—demonstrates that you have a firm grasp of nuanced Danish vocabulary.
At C1, you use 'skøn' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand the subtle legal implications of 'det frie skøn' (free discretion) and how it is bound by 'retsgrundsætninger' (legal principles). You can use the word in complex sentences, such as 'Det administrative skøn skal altid hvile på saglige kriterier' (Administrative discretion must always rest on objective criteria). You are also comfortable with related terms like 'skønsmand' (an expert witness or appraiser) and 'skønsforretning' (an official appraisal). You can critique a 'skøn' by pointing out that it is 'vilkårligt' (arbitrary) or 'mangelfuldt' (flawed). In business, you use 'skøn' to navigate the nuances of forecasting and risk management. You recognize that 'skøn' is not just about numbers, but about the application of human wisdom to uncertain data. Your usage of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, and you can switch between formal and semi-formal registers with ease.
At the C2 level, 'skøn' is a tool for high-level analysis and philosophical discussion. You can explore the epistemological limits of a 'skøn'—how we can ever truly 'know' something that is based on judgment rather than empirical measurement. You are familiar with the history of the word and its evolution in the Danish legal system. You can write academic papers or legal briefs where the validity of a 'skøn' is the central point of contention. You understand the most obscure compound words like 'skønsmæssighed' and can use them in the correct context. You can also play with the word's double meaning (adjective vs noun) in sophisticated wordplay or literature. For a C2 learner, 'skøn' is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a concept that you can manipulate to express the finest shades of meaning in the Danish language. You are capable of explaining the 'skønsudøvelse' (exercise of discretion) in complex governmental structures to others.

skøn em 30 segundos

  • Skøn as a noun means 'estimate' or 'judgment', often used in professional or legal contexts.
  • It is a neuter noun (et skøn) and should not be confused with the adjective 'skøn' (beautiful).
  • Common phrases include 'efter mit skøn' (in my estimation) and 'efter eget skøn' (at one's own discretion).
  • It implies a reasoned assessment rather than a random guess, often based on expertise or data.

The Danish noun skøn is a fundamental term in professional, legal, and academic Danish, though it also appears in everyday conversation when discussing approximations. At its core, it refers to an estimate, an assessment, or an act of judgment. Unlike the adjective skøn (which means beautiful or lovely), the noun skøn is neuter (et skøn) and focuses on the cognitive process of evaluating information to reach a conclusion where precise data might be missing. In a Danish context, this word is heavily associated with 'discretion'—specifically the type of discretion used by public authorities or professionals when they must make a decision based on a set of criteria rather than a fixed mathematical formula.

Professional Assessment
In fields like engineering, medicine, or law, a 'skøn' represents a qualified opinion based on expertise. For example, a doctor makes a 'lægeligt skøn' (medical judgment) regarding a patient's treatment plan.
Numerical Estimation
When exact numbers are unavailable, such as predicting the cost of a future project or the number of people at a protest, Danes use 'skøn' to denote the calculated guess.
Legal Discretion
In administrative law, 'forvaltningsretligt skøn' refers to the power given to authorities to choose between several lawful options based on the specific circumstances of a case.

Baseret på et forsigtigt skøn vil projektet koste to millioner kroner.

Understanding 'skøn' requires recognizing that it is not just a random guess (gæt). A 'skøn' implies a level of reasoning and a basis in existing facts. If you are in a meeting and someone asks for your 'skøn', they are asking for your professional evaluation, not just a shot in the dark. This distinction is vital for B2-level learners who are moving from basic vocabulary to more nuanced, professional language. You will often see it paired with adjectives like 'forsigtigt' (cautious), 'løst' (loose), or 'fagligt' (professional), which qualify the nature of the judgment being made.

Det er op til dommerens skøn at afgøre straffens længde.

In the Danish public sector, the concept of 'skøn' is central to the 'magtfordrejningsprincip' (principle of misuse of power). If an authority exercises their 'skøn' based on irrelevant factors, the decision can be overturned. Thus, 'skøn' carries a weight of responsibility and transparency. When you use this word, you are invoking a sense of analytical deliberation. Whether you are estimating the weight of a shipment or the outcome of a political election, you are providing a 'skøn'—a structured piece of human judgment that bridges the gap between total certainty and complete ignorance.

Using skøn correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a neuter noun and its common prepositional pairings. Most frequently, you will find it following the preposition 'efter' (according to) or 'baseret på' (based on). When you say 'efter mit skøn', you are literally saying 'according to my judgment' or 'in my estimation'. This is a highly useful phrase for expressing opinions in a formal or semi-formal manner without sounding overly subjective or aggressive.

Efter et skøn
Used when an action is taken based on a discretionary evaluation. Example: 'Vi udbetaler beløbet efter et konkret skøn.'
At udøve et skøn
A formal way to say 'to exercise judgment'. This is common in legal and administrative texts.
Et løst skøn
A 'loose' or 'rough' estimate. Use this when you want to emphasize that your numbers are not final.

Hvad er dit skøn over situationen?

In plural form, 'skøn' remains 'skøn' in the indefinite (e.g., 'der er lavet mange forskellige skøn'), but becomes 'skønnene' in the definite plural. However, it is much more common to use the singular form in Danish to refer to the general act of estimation. If you are comparing different estimates, you might say: 'Der er stor forskel på de to skøn.' This highlights that different experts have reached different conclusions based on the same data.

Ministeriet har foretaget et skøn af de økonomiske konsekvenser.

Another important use case is the compound word 'skønsmæssig'. This adjective describes something that is based on an estimate rather than hard facts. For instance, 'en skønsmæssig vurdering' is an assessment based on judgment. If you are writing a report in Danish, using 'skøn' and its derivatives shows a high level of proficiency and an understanding of the nuances of professional communication. It signals that you recognize the inherent uncertainty in certain data points while still providing a structured evaluation.

You are most likely to encounter the noun skøn in environments where decisions are made under uncertainty. In the Danish news (DR Nyheder or TV2), journalists often report on the 'økonomiske skøn' provided by the 'overvismand' (chief economic advisor). These are the official forecasts for the country's GDP growth, inflation, and unemployment. When the government presents its 'finanslov' (budget), the word 'skøn' is used repeatedly to describe the projected revenues and expenditures for the coming year.

The Workplace
During project planning, a manager might ask: 'Kan du give et skøn over, hvornår vi er færdige?' (Can you give an estimate of when we will be finished?).
Legal and Insurance
If you have a car accident, an 'assurandør' (insurance agent) will make a 'skøn' of the damages to determine the payout.
Real Estate
A 'ejendomsmægler' (real estate agent) provides a 'skøn' of a property's market value before it is listed.

Ifølge politiets skøn var der over fem tusinde demonstranter på pladsen.

In addition to professional settings, 'skøn' is used in the phrase 'efter eget skøn' (at one's own discretion). You might see this in a contract or a set of rules, indicating that a person has the freedom to make a choice based on their own judgment. For example, 'Medarbejderen kan efter eget skøn vælge at arbejde hjemmefra' means the employee can choose to work from home based on their own assessment of their needs. This highlights the word's connection to autonomy and trust in Danish culture.

Det er et kvalificeret skøn, men vi kan ikke være helt sikre.

Finally, listen for it in sports commentary or weather reports. A commentator might give a 'skøn' on a player's performance or the likelihood of rain. In all these cases, 'skøn' serves as a placeholder for a truth that is currently inaccessible but can be approximated through observation and experience. It is a word that bridges the gap between the known and the unknown, making it indispensable for navigating the complexities of modern life in Denmark.

The most frequent mistake English speakers (and even some lower-level Danish learners) make is confusing the noun skøn with the adjective skøn. While they look identical in their base form, they function entirely differently in a sentence. The adjective means 'beautiful', 'lovely', or 'wonderful'. If you say 'Det er et skøn hus', you are making a grammatical error because the adjective must agree with the neuter noun 'hus' (making it 'et skønt hus'). If you use the noun 'skøn' as a subject, it always takes the neuter article 'et'.

Confusing Noun and Adjective
Incorrect: 'Hun gav mig et skønt af prisen.' (She gave me a beautiful of the price.) Correct: 'Hun gav mig et skøn over prisen.' (She gave me an estimate of the price.)
Preposition Errors
Learners often use 'af' when they should use 'over'. While 'skøn af' is sometimes used, 'skøn over' is the standard for 'estimate of'.
Using 'Gæt' instead of 'Skøn'
In a professional setting, calling your estimate a 'gæt' (guess) sounds unprofessional. 'Skøn' implies you have thought about it.

Fejl: Mit skønne er, at det tager to timer. (Incorrect use of adjective form as noun.)

Another subtle mistake is failing to use the definite form 'skønnet' when referring to a specific, previously mentioned estimate. If you and a colleague are discussing a specific forecast, you should say 'Skønnet var forkert' (The estimate was wrong), not just 'Skøn var forkert'. Danish is quite strict about definite and indefinite articles, and 'skøn' is no exception. Also, be careful with the plural; 'skøn' (indefinite plural) and 'skøn' (indefinite singular) are identical, which can lead to confusion if the context isn't clear.

Korrekt: Skønnet for næste års vækst er blevet nedjusteret.

Finally, avoid overusing 'skøn' for very simple things. If you are just guessing how many jellybeans are in a jar, 'et gæt' is fine. Use 'skøn' when there is some logic, data, or professional expertise involved. Using 'skøn' for a random guess can make you sound like you are trying too hard to be formal in a casual situation. Mastering the balance between 'gæt', 'skøn', and 'vurdering' is a key milestone for reaching C1 fluency.

Danish has several words that overlap with skøn, and choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the amount of data you have. The most common alternative is vurdering. While 'skøn' often implies an approximation or a discretionary choice, 'vurdering' (assessment/evaluation) suggests a more thorough analysis of existing facts. You 'vurderer' (evaluate) a situation to reach a 'skøn' (estimate).

Vurdering
More formal and analytical. Used for performance reviews or technical assessments. 'En faglig vurdering'.
Overslag
Specifically used for financial or physical calculations. An 'overslag' is a rough calculation of costs, often used by craftsmen.
Estimat
A direct loanword from English. It is very common in business and scientific contexts, often interchangeable with 'skøn'.

Håndværkeren gav et overslag på renoveringen af badeværelset.

If you want to sound more casual, you can use et gæt (a guess) or et bud (a bid/suggestion). 'Kom med et bud!' is a common way to ask someone to guess a price or a time. In contrast, if you are in a legal setting, you might hear beføjelse (authority/power), which is related to the power to exercise 'skøn'. Understanding these synonyms allows you to vary your language and match the register of your conversation partners.

Det er min vurdering, at vi bør vente til i morgen.

Lastly, consider bedømmelse. This is often used for grading or judging a competition. While 'skøn' is about estimating a value or a path forward, 'bedømmelse' is about looking back at a performance and assigning a value to it. For example, a judge in a diving competition gives a 'bedømmelse'. By learning these nuances, you move beyond simple translations and start thinking in Danish, which is the ultimate goal of the B2 level.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /skœn/
US /skœn/
The stress is on the only syllable.
Rima com
bøn løn grøn søn køn tørn døn høn
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing it like 'skone' (long vowel).
  • Confusing it with the English word 'shun'.
  • Making the 'ø' sound too much like an 'o'.
  • Failing to pronounce the 'n' clearly at the end.
  • Using the pronunciation of the adjective in contexts where the noun is needed (though they are very similar).

Exemplos por nível

1

Jeg giver et skøn på prisen.

I give an estimate on the price.

Noun 'skøn' is neuter: 'et skøn'.

2

Hvad er dit skøn?

What is your estimate?

Common question structure.

3

Det er et lille skøn.

It is a small estimate.

Adjective 'lille' modifies the noun 'skøn'.

4

Her er mit skøn.

Here is my estimate.

Possessive pronoun 'mit' matches the neuter noun.

5

Et skøn er ikke et svar.

An estimate is not an answer.

Simple subject-verb-complement structure.

6

Vi bruger et skøn.

We use an estimate.

Direct object 'et skøn'.

7

Er det et godt skøn?

Is it a good estimate?

Interrogative sentence.

8

Jeg har et skøn.

I have an estimate.

Basic 'have' verb usage.

1

Skønnet er baseret på tal fra sidste år.

The estimate is based on figures from last year.

Definite form: 'skønnet'.

2

Du kan gøre det efter eget skøn.

You can do it at your own discretion.

Phrase: 'efter eget skøn'.

3

Vi har brug for et hurtigt skøn.

We need a quick estimate.

Adjective 'hurtigt' modifying 'skøn'.

4

Hvor mange kommer? Giv et skøn.

How many are coming? Give an estimate.

Imperative 'giv'.

5

Mit skøn er, at vi er færdige klokken fem.

My estimate is that we are finished at five o'clock.

Subordinate clause starting with 'at'.

6

Der er tale om et løst skøn.

It is a matter of a rough estimate.

Idiomatic 'der er tale om'.

7

Skønnet var desværre forkert.

The estimate was unfortunately wrong.

Adverb 'desværre' placed after the verb.

8

Kan du lave et skøn over udgifterne?

Can you make an estimate of the expenses?

Preposition 'over' used with 'skøn'.

1

Det kræver et fagligt skøn at vurdere skaden.

It requires a professional judgment to assess the damage.

Adjective 'fagligt' (professional/technical).

2

Efter et forsigtigt skøn vil vi tjene penge.

According to a cautious estimate, we will make money.

Prepositional phrase 'efter et... skøn'.

3

Politiet lavede et skøn over antallet af deltagere.

The police made an estimate of the number of participants.

Past tense 'lavede'.

4

Det er svært at give et præcist skøn i dag.

It is difficult to give a precise estimate today.

Infinitive 'at give'.

5

Vores skøn stemmer overens med virkeligheden.

Our estimate matches reality.

Phrasal verb 'stemmer overens'.

6

Vi må stole på eksperternes skøn.

We must trust the experts' judgment.

Genitive plural 'eksperternes'.

7

Er der lavet et skøn over tidsforbruget?

Has an estimate of the time consumption been made?

Passive construction with 'er lavet'.

8

Ifølge mit skøn er vi på rette vej.

In my estimation, we are on the right track.

Phrase 'ifølge mit skøn'.

1

Forvaltningen udøver et skøn i denne sag.

The administration is exercising discretion in this case.

Verb 'udøver' (exercises).

2

Beslutningen hviler på et skønsmæssigt grundlag.

The decision rests on a discretionary basis.

Adjective 'skønsmæssigt'.

3

Der er plads til et vist skøn i reglerne.

There is room for a certain amount of discretion in the rules.

Phrase 'plads til et skøn'.

4

Skønnet kan anfægtes, hvis det er usagligt.

The judgment can be challenged if it is non-objective.

Passive 'kan anfægtes'.

5

Vi har foretaget et skøn af de miljømæssige konsekvenser.

We have carried out an assessment of the environmental consequences.

Present perfect 'har foretaget'.

6

Det er op til dommerens skøn at fastsætte straffen.

It is up to the judge's discretion to determine the sentence.

Genitive 'dommerens'.

7

Et kvalificeret skøn er bedre end ingenting.

A qualified estimate is better than nothing.

Adjective 'kvalificeret'.

8

De økonomiske skøn er blevet nedjusteret igen.

The economic forecasts have been revised downwards again.

Plural definite 'skøn' (which is 'skønnene' but often just 'skøn' in headlines).

1

Skønsudøvelsen skal være i overensstemmelse med loven.

The exercise of discretion must be in accordance with the law.

Compound noun 'skønsudøvelsen'.

2

Der er tale om en skønsmæssig vurdering af beviserne.

It is a matter of a discretionary assessment of the evidence.

Adjectival use of 'skønsmæssig'.

3

Man kan ikke erstatte loven med et rent skøn.

One cannot replace the law with pure discretion.

Adjective 'rent' meaning 'pure'.

4

Skønsmanden foretog en grundig gennemgang af ejendommen.

The appraiser conducted a thorough review of the property.

Noun 'skønsmanden' (the appraiser).

5

Det administrative skøn er underlagt domstolsprøvelse.

Administrative discretion is subject to judicial review.

Legal terminology.

6

Fejlagtige skøn kan føre til store økonomiske tab.

Erroneous estimates can lead to large financial losses.

Adjective 'fejlagtige' (erroneous).

7

Vi må operere inden for rammerne af det frie skøn.

We must operate within the framework of free discretion.

Phrase 'rammerne af'.

8

Skønnets validitet afhænger af datagrundlaget.

The validity of the estimate depends on the data basis.

Genitive 'skønnets'.

1

Skønnet er en uundgåelig del af den juridiske beslutningsproces.

Judgment is an unavoidable part of the legal decision-making process.

Abstract noun usage.

2

Der eksisterer en hårfin grænse mellem skøn og vilkårlighed.

A fine line exists between discretion and arbitrariness.

Metaphorical usage.

3

Skønsmæssigheden i sagsbehandlingen er blevet kritiseret.

The discretionary nature of the case processing has been criticized.

Noun 'skønsmæssigheden'.

4

Man må skelne skarpt mellem retsanvendelse og skøn.

One must distinguish sharply between the application of the law and discretion.

Infinitive 'at skelne'.

5

Det forvaltningsretlige skøn er begrænset af magtfordrejningsgrundsætningen.

Administrative discretion is limited by the principle of misuse of power.

Highly technical legal term.

6

Skønnets subjektivitet må minimeres gennem faglige standarder.

The subjectivity of the judgment must be minimized through professional standards.

Abstract noun 'subjektivitet'.

7

En skønsforretning blev rekvireret for at fastslå værdien.

An appraisal was requested to determine the value.

Noun 'skønsforretning'.

8

Skønnets præmisser skal fremgå tydeligt af afgørelsen.

The premises of the judgment must appear clearly in the decision.

Plural noun 'præmisser'.

Colocações comuns

et forsigtigt skøn
et fagligt skøn
at udøve et skøn
et løst skøn
efter eget skøn
økonomisk skøn
at basere på et skøn
et skøn over
et kvalificeret skøn
skønsmæssig vurdering

Frases Comuns

Efter mit skøn

— Used to introduce your personal but reasoned opinion.

Efter mit skøn er det den bedste løsning.

Et skøn over situationen

— An assessment of the current state of affairs.

Giv mig et hurtigt skøn over situationen.

Baseret på et skøn

— Indicating that the following information is an approximation.

Prisen er baseret på et skøn.

At lægge til grund for et skøn

— To use specific facts as the basis for a judgment.

Vi må lægge de nye tal til grund for vores skøn.

Et skøn af værdien

— An appraisal of how much something is worth.

Banken foretog et skøn af husets værdi.

Uden for skønnet

— Outside the range of what was estimated.

Udgifterne faldt helt uden for skønnet.

Et realistisk skøn

— An estimate that is likely to be accurate.

Vi har brug for et realistisk skøn over tiden.

Et optimistisk skøn

— An estimate that assumes the best possible outcome.

Det er et meget optimistisk skøn.

Et pessimistisk skøn

— An estimate that assumes the worst possible outcome.

Selv efter et pessimistisk skøn ser det godt ud.

Et skøn i overensstemmelse med...

— A judgment made following certain rules or standards.

Skønnet er i overensstemmelse med praksis.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Efter bedste skøn"

— Doing something according to one's best possible judgment.

Jeg har handlet efter bedste skøn.

Formal
"At skyde et skøn"

— To quickly provide a rough estimate (informal).

Kan du skyde et skøn på, hvad det koster?

Informal
"At lade det bero på et skøn"

— To let a decision depend on a subjective assessment.

Vi lader det bero på et skøn fra ledelsen.

Formal
"Et skøn fra hoften"

— A very rough, uncalculated estimate (like 'shooting from the hip').

Det er bare et skøn fra hoften.

Informal
"At udøve sit skøn"

— To use the power of judgment one has been given.

Lægen udøvede sit skøn i behandlingen.

Formal
"Et skøn over en bred kam"

— A general estimate covering many things at once.

Vi lavede et skøn over en bred kam for hele afdelingen.

Neutral
"At ramme ved siden af skønnet"

— To be completely wrong compared to the estimate.

Resultatet ramte helt ved siden af skønnet.

Neutral
"At holde sig til skønnet"

— To stay within the boundaries of an estimate.

Vi prøver at holde os til skønnet.

Neutral
"Et skøn baseret på mavefornemmelse"

— A judgment based on gut feeling rather than facts.

Det er et skøn baseret på mavefornemmelse.

Informal
"At tage et skøn"

— To make a decision based on judgment.

Vi blev nødt til at tage et skøn her og nu.

Neutral

Família de palavras

Substantivos

skøn (estimate)
skønsmand (appraiser)
skønsforretning (appraisal)
skønsmæssighed (discretionary nature)

Verbos

skønne (to estimate/judge)

Adjetivos

skøn (beautiful - homonym)
skønsmæssig (discretionary)
skønsom (judicious)

Relacionado

vurdering
overslag
bedømmelse
estimat
afgørelse

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Middle Low German word 'schone', which originally meant 'inspection' or 'looking at'. It is related to the verb 'skue' (to look/behold).

Significado original: A looking at, an inspection, or a trial.

Germanic
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