This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 verb 10 min read

tilføje

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips tilføje in 30 Seconds

Explanation tilføje in your Level:

At the A1 level, you might not use the word 'tilføje' yourself very often, as you will focus on simpler verbs like 'lave' (make) or 'have' (have). However, you will see it in digital environments. When you use a phone or computer in Danish, the word 'Tilføj' (Add) is everywhere. You see it when you want to 'Add a contact' (Tilføj kontakt) or 'Add a photo' (Tilføj foto). At this stage, you should recognize 'tilføje' as a command to put something new into a list or a group. It is a 'doing' word (a verb). You can think of it as the opposite of 'slette' (delete). Even if you can't use it in complex sentences yet, knowing that 'Tilføj' means 'Add' will help you navigate Danish websites and apps with much more confidence. It is one of the most practical 'tech' words to learn early on.

As an A2 learner, you can begin to use 'tilføje' in simple everyday sentences. You might use it when talking about cooking, like 'Jeg tilføjer sukker til min te' (I add sugar to my tea). You are now learning how to connect the verb with the preposition 'til' (to). You can also use it to talk about your social life on the internet: 'Jeg vil tilføje dig på Facebook' (I want to add you on Facebook). At this level, you are starting to understand that the verb changes slightly in the present tense by adding an 'r' (tilføjer). You should practice making small sentences where you add one thing to another. This helps you get used to the structure: Who + adds + what + to + where. It is a very logical word that helps you describe building or expanding things in your daily life.

At the B1 level, 'tilføje' becomes a key tool for more natural communication. You no longer just use it for physical objects or digital buttons; you use it to manage conversations. For example, you can use the phrase 'Jeg vil gerne tilføje...' (I would like to add...) to introduce a new point in a discussion. This shows that you are listening and want to contribute. You also start to use the past tense 'tilføjede' correctly to describe things that happened before, like 'Han tilføjede en kommentar til min post' (He added a comment to my post). You are becoming aware of synonyms and why 'tilføje' is better than 'plusse' in most situations. This is the stage where you refine your pronunciation of the difficult 'ø' sound and ensure the 'j' is soft and natural. You can now use it in both formal and informal settings.

At the B2 level, you use 'tilføje' with more abstract and complex concepts. You might talk about how a new law 'tilføjer' more complexity to the legal system, or how a specific ingredient 'tilføjer' a certain depth to a dish. You are comfortable using the passive voice, such as 'Der blev tilføjet flere detaljer til planen' (More details were added to the plan). You also understand the nuances of word order in complex sentences, such as placing adverbs correctly in subordinate clauses: 'Det er vigtigt, at vi altid tilføjer kilderne' (It is important that we always add the sources). Your use of the word is now fluid and integrates well with other advanced vocabulary. You can distinguish between 'tilføje' and more specific verbs like 'supplere' (supplement) or 'indlemme' (incorporate) and choose the most precise one for your context.

By the C1 level, your use of 'tilføje' is sophisticated and precise. You use it to add nuance to academic or professional writing. You might use it to discuss the 'added value' (merværdi or tilføjet værdi) of a business strategy. You are also aware of its use in literature and high-level journalism, where it is used to report speech with specific intent: '"Det er kun begyndelsen," tilføjede han med et smil' ("It is only the beginning," he added with a smile). You understand the historical roots of the word and how it relates to other Germanic languages. You can use it in idiomatic expressions and metaphors without hesitation. Your pronunciation is near-native, handling the 'ø-j' transition perfectly even in fast-paced professional debates. You use 'tilføje' as a tool for precision, ensuring that every addition you mention is clearly defined and grammatically perfect.

At the C2 level, 'tilføje' is a word you use with total mastery, often employing it in rhetorical ways. You might use it to subtly shift the direction of a high-level negotiation or to provide a definitive concluding remark in a lecture. You are fully aware of its most obscure uses and its role in the evolution of the Danish language. You can play with the word's placement and prosody to convey different emotions or levels of emphasis. Whether you are writing a complex legal brief, a poetic essay, or leading a corporate boardroom, 'tilføje' is used with absolute grammatical accuracy and perfect stylistic appropriateness. You can effortlessly switch between the literal, digital, and metaphorical meanings of the word, and you can explain its nuances to others, including the subtle differences between it and its most rare synonyms.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

tilføje in 30 Seconds

Tilføje is a Danish verb meaning 'to add' or 'to include'. It is used for digital, culinary, and conversational contexts.
It is a regular verb: tilføje (infinitive), tilføjer (present), tilføjede (past), and har tilføjet (perfect).
Always use the preposition 'til' when adding something to another thing: tilføje X til Y.
Commonly seen on social media as a button label ('Tilføj ven') and heard in cooking or professional meetings.

The Danish verb tilføje is a versatile and essential word in the Danish vocabulary, primarily functioning at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. At its core, it means 'to add' or 'to include' something to an existing entity, collection, or conversation. Unlike the mathematical term 'addere' or the simple 'plusse', tilføje carries a more general sense of supplementation or expansion. It is used in digital contexts, such as adding a friend on social media or adding a file to an email, as well as in physical contexts like adding ingredients to a recipe or adding a new room to a house. Understanding this word requires recognizing that it implies the existence of something prior to the act of addition. You are not creating something from nothing; you are augmenting what is already there.

Digital Context: In the modern world, this is perhaps the most frequent use. You 'tilføjer' a contact, a comment, or an attachment. It suggests a technical inclusion into a database or a list.

Husk at tilføje dit telefonnummer til din profil, så vi kan kontakte dig hurtigt.

Culinary Context: When following a recipe, you will often be told to add salt, pepper, or other spices. Here, it implies a careful addition to enhance flavor or texture.

Du skal tilføje en knivspids salt for at fremhæve smagen af chokoladen.

Furthermore, tilføje is used in communication to indicate that someone said something extra. In a transcript or a news report, you might see 'han tilføjede' (he added), indicating a supplementary remark made after the main point. This usage is crucial for formal writing and reporting. It provides a bridge between different ideas, allowing the speaker to refine or expand their original statement. In social settings, it can be used to politely interject or contribute to an ongoing discussion, showing that you have something valuable to 'add' to the collective knowledge of the group.

Jeg vil gerne tilføje, at vi også skal tænke på budgettet i denne proces.

Formal Usage: In legal or official documents, 'tilføje' is used when amendments or appendices are attached to a primary text. It signifies a formal expansion of the scope or rules.

Advokaten valgte at tilføje en ny paragraf til kontrakten for at beskytte klienten.

Kan du tilføje mig i jeres gruppe på WhatsApp?

Using tilføje correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the prepositions that typically accompany it. As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object—the thing that is being added. Most commonly, the structure is: [Subject] + [tilføjer] + [Object] + [til] + [Destination]. For example, 'Jeg (Subject) tilføjer (Verb) sukker (Object) til kaffen (Destination).' This logical flow makes it relatively easy for English speakers to grasp, as it mirrors the English 'to add something to something.'

Present Tense: In the present tense, we add '-r' to the infinitive: 'tilføjer'. This is used for current actions or habitual behaviors.

Hun tilføjer altid mange detaljer i sine historier.

Past Tense: The past tense is 'tilføjede'. It follows the regular weak verb conjugation pattern for many Danish verbs ending in -e.

I går tilføjede han en ny sang til sin playliste.

When using the perfect tense ('har tilføjet'), the word functions as a completed action. This is common in professional feedback or project management. 'Jeg har tilføjet de nye tal til rapporten' (I have added the new figures to the report). It can also be used in the passive voice, though this is more formal: 'Der blev tilføjet flere ressourcer til projektet' (More resources were added to the project). In imperative forms, such as recipes or instructions, you use the stem: 'Tilføj!'

Imperative Mood: Used for commands or instructions. Simply remove the final -e from the infinitive: 'Tilføj'.

Tilføj venligst dit navn på listen ved indgangen.

Vi har tilføjet en ekstra forestilling på grund af stor efterspørgsel.

Another nuance is using tilføje with abstract concepts. You can add value (tilføje værdi), add weight to an argument (tilføje vægt til et argument), or add spice to life (tilføje krydderi til tilværelsen). These metaphorical uses follow the same grammatical rules but elevate your Danish to a more natural, idiomatic level. In conversation, it is often used as a way to extend a thought: '...og jeg vil gerne tilføje...' is a classic way to keep the floor during a meeting or a dinner party.

In Denmark, tilføje is a word you will encounter daily, particularly if you are active on social media or work in an office environment. On platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram, the Danish interface uses this word for almost every action involving adding content. You will see buttons labeled 'Tilføj ven' (Add friend), 'Tilføj billede' (Add image), or 'Tilføj kommentar' (Add comment). Because of this, even beginners in Denmark quickly become familiar with the visual representation of the word before they even learn to pronounce it.

Social Media: The word is ubiquitous on Danish-language apps. It is the standard term for expanding your network or sharing content.

Jeg prøvede at tilføje dig på LinkedIn, men jeg kunne ikke finde din profil.

Workplace & Business: In meetings, it is the polite way to provide extra information without interrupting the flow too aggressively. It signals that you are contributing to the existing discussion.

Må jeg tilføje et punkt til dagsordenen før vi starter?

In the culinary world, Danish cooking shows are a great place to hear tilføje in action. Chefs will frequently say things like, 'Nu tilføjer vi en smule fløde' (Now we add a bit of cream). Because Danish culture places a high value on 'hygge' and food, these contexts are very common. Similarly, in retail, a cashier might ask if you want to 'tilføje' a donation to a charity or add a specific item to your order. It is a word that bridges the gap between technical instruction and everyday social interaction.

Du kan tilføje en valgfri topping til din is for kun fem kroner.

News & Media: Reporters use it to provide context or additional facts that were revealed later in an investigation or interview.

Politiet tilføjede senere, at der ikke var nogen tilskadekomne ved ulykken.

Det er vigtigt at tilføje, at reglerne gælder for alle borgere.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using tilføje is confusing it with other Danish verbs that also translate to 'add' in English. The most common confusion is with 'plusse' or 'addere'. These are strictly mathematical. You would never 'plusse' salt to your soup or 'addere' a friend on Facebook. Using these in the wrong context will make your Danish sound very unnatural and technically incorrect. Always use tilføje for general inclusion and 'lægge sammen' or 'plusse' for arithmetic.

Preposition Errors: Many learners try to use 'på' (on) or 'i' (in) because of direct translation from English or other languages. In Danish, you almost always 'tilføjer noget TIL noget'.

Forkert: Jeg tilføjer mælk i kaffen. Korrekt: Jeg tilføjer mælk til kaffen.

Pronunciation Pitfalls: The 'ø' sound followed by 'j' is notoriously difficult. Many learners pronounce it like 'o' or fail to make the 'j' soft enough, leading to 'tilf-oh-yeh' instead of the correct Danish glide.

Husk: Lyden i 'føj' minder lidt om 'oy' i 'boy', men med en rundere 'ø'-lyd i starten.

Another error involves the word order in subordinate clauses. Danish follows the 'S-V-A' rule in main clauses but changes in subordinate clauses. Learners often forget to move the adverb (like 'ikke' or 'også') before the verb in a 'at'-clause. For instance, 'Jeg sagde, at jeg ikke tilføjede det' (I said that I did not add it). Putting 'ikke' after the verb here is a common B1-level mistake that 'tilføje' often highlights because it is frequently used in reported speech.

Confusion with 'Vedlægge': While 'tilføje' can mean adding a file, 'vedlægge' is specifically used for physical or digital attachments (like an invoice). Using 'tilføje' for a physical letter attachment is slightly off.

Man tilføjer en person til en gruppe, men man vedlægger et dokument til en e-mail.

Pas på ikke at glemme r'et i nutid: 'Jeg tilføje' er forkert; det skal være 'Jeg tilføjer'.

While tilføje is a great all-purpose word, Danish offers several alternatives that can make your speech more precise depending on the context. Understanding the subtle differences between these synonyms is key to reaching a higher level of fluency. For example, if you are adding something to supplement what is already there, 'supplere' might be better. If you are incorporating something into a larger whole, 'indlemme' is the word you want. Each of these carries a slightly different 'flavor' and register.

Tilføje vs. Supplere: 'Tilføje' is neutral addition. 'Supplere' implies that the addition completes or improves the original thing by providing what was missing.

Vi kan supplere vores viden ved at læse flere bøger om emnet.

Tilføje vs. Indlemme: 'Indlemme' is much stronger. It means to fully integrate or incorporate something so it becomes an inseparable part of the whole, like a territory or a department.

Virksomheden valgte at indlemme den lille startup i deres organisation.

In more formal or academic settings, you might encounter 'vedføje'. This is almost identical to 'tilføje' but carries a slightly more bureaucratic or old-fashioned tone. It is often used in legal contexts. Then there is 'påsætte', which is used for physical attachment, like putting a stamp on an envelope or a label on a bottle. Choosing the right word shows that you understand the physical and conceptual nature of the 'adding' action.

Tilføje vs. Vedhæfte: In digital communication, 'vedhæfte' is the specific term for attaching a file to an email. While 'tilføje' works, 'vedhæfte' is the standard professional term.

Jeg har vedhæftet dagsordenen til denne invitation.

Man kan indskyde en bemærkning under mødet, hvis man er hurtig.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root word 'føje' is also found in 'fornøje' (to please/enjoy), suggesting that 'joining' things was once seen as a way to create satisfaction or completion.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtelˌføːjə/

US /ˈtɪlˌføɪə/

Stress is on the first syllable 'til', with a secondary stress on 'føj'.

Rhymes With

støje høje nøje pløje trøje øje bøje møje

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'j' too harshly like a hard 'G'.
Making the 'ø' sound too much like an 'O'.
Forgetting the final 'e' in the infinitive.
Stressing the second syllable instead of the first.
Failing to glide the 'ø' and 'j' together.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in digital contexts.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'til' preposition.

Speaking 4/5

The 'ø-j' sound is a challenge for non-native speakers.

Listening 3/5

Can be hard to hear the 'e' at the end in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

til og lave have ny

Learn Next

supplere indlemme vedlægge fjerne ændre

Advanced

ekstrapolere implementere modificere annektere

Grammar to Know

Infinitive with 'at'

Det er svært at tilføje nye vaner.

V2 Rule (Verb Second)

Nu tilføjer jeg sukkeret.

Present Tense '-r'

Han tilføjer altid detaljer.

Passive with 'blive'

Navnet blev tilføjet til listen.

Imperative Stem

Tilføj salt!

Examples by Level

Tilføj ven.

Add friend.

This is the imperative form, used as a command on social media.

Jeg tilføjer sukker.

I add sugar.

Present tense: Jeg + tilføjer.

Tilføj et billede.

Add a picture.

Imperative form: Tilføj.

Kan du tilføje mig?

Can you add me?

Infinitive form 'tilføje' used after the modal verb 'kan'.

Han tilføjer salt.

He adds salt.

Present tense: Han + tilføjer.

Tilføj navn her.

Add name here.

Imperative form used in instructions.

Vi tilføjer vand.

We add water.

Present tense: Vi + tilføjer.

Tilføj til kurv.

Add to basket.

Standard phrase for e-commerce.

Jeg tilføjer mælk til kaffen.

I add milk to the coffee.

Note the use of 'til' as the preposition.

Hun tilføjer en ny sang.

She adds a new song.

Present tense with a direct object.

Vi tilføjede ham til gruppen.

We added him to the group.

Past tense: tilføjede.

Vil du tilføje noget?

Do you want to add something?

Infinitive 'tilføje' after 'vil'.

De tilføjer altid is.

They always add ice.

Present tense with the adverb 'altid'.

Jeg har tilføjet din adresse.

I have added your address.

Present perfect: har + tilføjet.

Tilføj venligst din e-mail.

Please add your email.

Imperative with the polite word 'venligst'.

Hvorfor tilføjer du det?

Why are you adding that?

Question form in the present tense.

Jeg vil gerne tilføje en kommentar.

I would like to add a comment.

Common polite way to join a discussion.

Husk at tilføje kilderne til sidst.

Remember to add the sources at the end.

Infinitive used after 'at'.

Han tilføjede, at han var træt.

He added that he was tired.

Used for reported speech.

Vi skal tilføje mere værdi til kunden.

We must add more value to the customer.

Abstract use: 'tilføje værdi'.

Har du tilføjet filen til din mail?

Have you added the file to your email?

Perfect tense in a question.

Man kan tilføje krydderier efter smag.

One can add spices to taste.

Impersonal 'man' with modal 'kan'.

De tilføjede et ekstra stop på ruten.

They added an extra stop on the route.

Past tense describing a change in plans.

Hun glemte at tilføje sit efternavn.

She forgot to add her last name.

Past tense verb followed by 'at' + infinitive.

Det er nødvendigt at tilføje flere detaljer.

It is necessary to add more details.

Formal structure: 'Det er [adjektiv] at...'

Forfatteren tilføjede et nyt kapitel.

The author added a new chapter.

Past tense in a literary context.

Vi må tilføje, at projektet er forsinket.

We must add that the project is delayed.

Modal 'må' used for necessity or obligation.

Der blev tilføjet en note i bunden.

A note was added at the bottom.

Passive voice: 'blev tilføjet'.

Kan du tilføje vægt til dine argumenter?

Can you add weight to your arguments?

Metaphorical use: 'tilføje vægt'.

De har tilføjet en klausul i kontrakten.

They have added a clause in the contract.

Professional context: perfect tense.

Hun tilføjede hurtigt en undskyldning.

She quickly added an apology.

Adverb 'hurtigt' modifying the verb.

Vi bør tilføje ressourcer til afdelingen.

We ought to add resources to the department.

Modal 'bør' for recommendation.

Det tilføjer en helt ny dimension til sagen.

It adds a completely new dimension to the case.

Advanced abstract expression.

Uden at tilføje mere, forlod hun rummet.

Without adding more, she left the room.

Complex sentence structure with 'uden at'.

Man bør altid tilføje en kildehenvisning.

One should always add a source reference.

Academic recommendation using 'bør'.

Han formåede at tilføje humor til talen.

He managed to add humor to the speech.

Verb 'formåede' (managed) + 'at tilføje'.

Det tilføjede pres på regeringen.

It added pressure on the government.

Metaphorical use of 'pres' (pressure).

Vi har tilføjet en række nye funktioner.

We have added a range of new features.

Present perfect in a technical update.

Dette tilføjer kun til min forvirring.

This only adds to my confusion.

Idiomatic expression of state.

Hun tilføjede tørt, at hun ikke var enig.

She added dryly that she did not agree.

Use of adverb 'tørt' (dryly) to describe speech.

Dette fund tilføjer væsentlig viden til feltet.

This discovery adds significant knowledge to the field.

High-level academic Danish.

Han tilføjede en ironisk bemærkning til sidst.

He added an ironic remark at the end.

Nuanced description of communication.

At tilføje fornærmelse til skade er aldrig klogt.

To add insult to injury is never wise.

Danish version of a common idiom.

Der skal tilføjes en vis portion forsigtighed.

A certain amount of caution must be added.

Passive modal construction.

Hun tilføjede sit navn til de udødelige.

She added her name to the immortals.

Literary/poetic usage.

Det tilføjer blot til sagens kompleksitet.

It merely adds to the complexity of the case.

Formal use of 'blot' (merely).

Vi må tilføje, at alle forbehold er taget.

We must add that all precautions have been taken.

Official/formal statement.

Hvert ord tilføjer en dybere mening til digtet.

Every word adds a deeper meaning to the poem.

Philosophical/literary analysis.

Common Collocations

tilføje værdi

tilføje salt

tilføje en kommentar

tilføje en ven

tilføje detaljer

tilføje vægt

tilføje ressourcer

tilføje krydderi

tilføje et punkt

tilføje sukker

Common Phrases

Jeg vil gerne tilføje...

— A polite way to introduce a new point in a conversation.

Jeg vil gerne tilføje, at vi mangler tid.

Det bør tilføjes, at...

— A formal way to introduce an important additional fact.

Det bør tilføjes, at reglerne gælder alle.

Tilføj til favoritter

— A common digital command to save something.

Klik her for at tilføje til favoritter.

Uden at tilføje mere

— Used to describe someone who stops speaking or acting immediately.

Han gik uden at tilføje mere.

Tilføj efter behov

— Used in recipes or instructions to allow for personal choice.

Tilføj mælk efter behov.

Må jeg tilføje noget?

— A question used to ask permission to speak.

Må jeg tilføje noget til det, du sagde?

Der blev ikke tilføjet andet

— Used in reports to show no further info was given.

Der blev ikke tilføjet andet til historien.

Tilføj en note

— A command to write down a short reminder.

Du kan tilføje en note i kalenderen.

Tilføj et link

— A technical instruction to insert a URL.

Husk at tilføje et link til din kilde.

Tilføj et lag

— Used in painting, construction, or abstractly.

Du skal tilføje et ekstra lag maling.

Often Confused With

tilføje vs plusse

Use this only for simple math, never for adding objects or ideas.

tilføje vs forøge

This means to increase the amount or intensity, not to add a new item.

tilføje vs sætte

This means to put or place, whereas tilføje implies inclusion in a set.

Idioms & Expressions

"at tilføje spot til skade"

— To make a bad situation even worse by adding an insult.

Han mistede sit job, og så tilføjede chefen spot til skade ved at grine.

formal/literary

"at tilføje krydderi til tilværelsen"

— To do something to make life more interesting or exciting.

De rejser meget for at tilføje krydderi til tilværelsen.

informal/metaphorical

"at tilføje benzin til bålet"

— To say or do something that makes a conflict or problem worse.

Hans kommentar tilføjede kun benzin til bålet.

informal

"at tilføje en ny dimension"

— To bring a completely new perspective or quality to something.

Denne teknologi tilføjer en ny dimension til vores arbejde.

neutral

"at tilføje sit besyv"

— To give one's opinion or contribute to a discussion.

Han ville også lige tilføje sit besyv til debatten.

informal/idiomatic

"at tilføje vægt til vægtskålen"

— To provide an argument or factor that helps decide a matter.

Hans vidneudsagn tilføjede vægt til vægtskålen.

formal

"at tilføje glans til"

— To make something seem more impressive or beautiful.

Hendes tilstedeværelse tilføjede glans til festen.

literary

"at tilføje et ekstra gear"

— To increase effort or intensity significantly.

Holdet tilføjede et ekstra gear i anden halvleg.

informal/sports

"at tilføje sten til byrden"

— To make someone's heavy situation even harder to bear.

Vi skal ikke tilføje flere sten til hans byrde nu.

literary

"at tilføje nyt blod"

— To bring in new people or ideas to revitalize a group.

Vi har brug for at tilføje noget nyt blod til bestyrelsen.

business/informal

Easily Confused

tilføje vs addere

Both mean 'add'.

Addere is strictly for adding numbers in mathematics.

Vi skal addere tallene.

tilføje vs vedlægge

Both mean adding to a communication.

Vedlægge is for physical or digital attachments (files/envelopes).

Jeg vedlægger et brev.

tilføje vs supplere

Both involve adding more.

Supplere implies completing or improving something existing.

Vi supplerer hinanden.

tilføje vs indlemme

Both involve inclusion.

Indlemme is about full integration into a whole.

De indlemmede firmaet.

tilføje vs påsætte

Both involve adding something.

Påsætte is for physical attachment on a surface.

Påsæt mærkatet.

Sentence Patterns

Tilføj [substantiv].

Tilføj ven.

Jeg tilføjer [ting] til [sted].

Jeg tilføjer mælk til kaffen.

Jeg vil gerne tilføje, at [sætning].

Jeg vil gerne tilføje, at jeg kommer sent.

Der blev tilføjet [ting].

Der blev tilføjet en note.

Uden at tilføje [ting]...

Uden at tilføje yderligere kommentarer...

[Ting] tilføjer en dimension til [ting].

Det tilføjer en dimension til debatten.

Husk at tilføje [ting].

Husk at tilføje dit navn.

Man bør tilføje [ting].

Man bør tilføje en kilde.

Word Family

Nouns

tilføjelse an addition or amendment

Verbs

tilføje to add

Adjectives

tilføjet added (past participle used as adj)

føje

medføje

vedføje

overføre

indføre

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in digital and professional Danish.

Common Mistakes

Jeg plusser salt til maden. → Jeg tilføjer salt til maden.
'Plusse' is only for math. Use 'tilføje' for ingredients.
Jeg tilføjer det i listen. → Jeg tilføjer det til listen.
In Danish, you add 'to' (til) a list, not 'in' (i) it.
Han tilføje en kommentar. → Han tilføjer en kommentar.
Don't forget the '-r' in the present tense.
Jeg vil tilføje ham på Facebook. → Jeg vil tilføje ham på Facebook.
Wait, this is actually correct! But remember it's 'tilføje [person] PÅ [platform]'.
Jeg har tilføjet filen i mailen. → Jeg har vedhæftet filen til mailen.
While 'tilføjet' is okay, 'vedhæftet' is more natural for emails.

Tips

Preposition Power

Always remember 'tilføje TIL'. Using 'i' or 'på' is a common mistake for English speakers.

Soft J

Don't over-pronounce the 'j'. It should be a smooth transition, not a hard stop.

Math vs. Life

Keep 'tilføje' for life and 'plusse' for math. This is a key distinction for natural Danish.

App Learning

Switch your phone to Danish. You will see 'Tilføj' everywhere, which helps with memorization.

Imperative Form

In recipes, use 'Tilføj' (without the e). It makes your instructions sound authentic.

Meeting Etiquette

Use 'Jeg vil gerne tilføje...' to politely contribute without interrupting.

News Cues

Journalists use 'tilføjede han/hun' to provide extra context. Listen for this in news clips.

The Plus Rule

Think of the '+' sign. Whenever you see it, think 'tilføj'.

Hygge Addition

Adding things (like candles or extra food) is part of 'hygge'. Use 'tilføje' to describe it.

Noun Use

Learn 'en tilføjelse'. It's very useful for talking about changes to documents or plans.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'til' as 'to' and 'føje' as 'fold'. You are 'folding' something 'to' the original pile.

Visual Association

Imagine a digital '+' button on a screen. Every time you see that plus, say 'tilføj'.

Word Web

Plus Inkludere Supplere Vedhæfte Kontakt Opskrift Kommentar Liste

Challenge

Try to use 'tilføje' three times today: once for a digital action, once for food, and once in a conversation.

Word Origin

Derived from the Danish prefix 'til-' (to/towards) and the verb 'føje' (to join/fit/suit).

Original meaning: To join something to something else so that it fits.

Germanic, related to the German 'zufügen'.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but ensure you don't use the mathematical 'plusse' in professional settings.

English speakers often say 'add on' or 'add in'. In Danish, it is strictly 'tilføje til'.

Used frequently in the Danish version of Facebook. Commonly heard in 'Den Store Bagedyst' (The Great Danish Bake Off). Found in Hans Christian Andersen's letters when he adds postscripts.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Social Media

Tilføj ven
Tilføj kommentar
Tilføj billede
Tilføj til historie

Cooking

Tilføj salt
Tilføj mælk
Tilføj efter smag
Tilføj gradvist

Office/Meetings

Tilføj et punkt
Tilføj til dagsorden
Tilføj en note
Tilføj ressourcer

Shopping

Tilføj til kurv
Tilføj rabatkode
Tilføj leveringsadresse
Tilføj gaveindpakning

Education

Tilføj kilde
Tilføj citat
Tilføj bilag
Tilføj rettelse

Conversation Starters

"Må jeg tilføje noget til det, du lige sagde?"

"Har du husket at tilføje mælk til din indkøbsliste?"

"Hvordan tilføjer man en ny sang til denne playliste?"

"Vil du tilføje mig på LinkedIn, så vi kan holde kontakten?"

"Hvad ville du tilføje til din drømmebolig, hvis du havde pengene?"

Journal Prompts

Skriv om noget, du gerne vil tilføje til din daglige rutine for at blive gladere.

Hvilke nye færdigheder har du tilføjet til dit CV i det sidste år?

Hvis du kunne tilføje en ny lov i Danmark, hvad skulle det så være?

Beskriv en ret, du kan lide at lave, og hvad du tilføjer for at gøre den speciel.

Tænk på en samtale, du har haft. Hvad ville du ønske, du havde tilføjet?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for math you should use 'plusse' (informal) or 'addere' (formal). 'Tilføje' is for adding items or information.

The preposition 'til' is almost always used. Example: 'Tilføj mælk TIL kaffen'.

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -e: tilføjer, tilføjede, har tilføjet.

You say 'Tilføj ven'. You will see this on most social media platforms.

Yes, in reported speech it means 'to add' a comment to what was already said.

The noun form is 'en tilføjelse', which means an addition or an amendment.

Yes, but it is very soft. It sounds like a glide between the 'ø' and the 'e'.

Yes, though 'vedhæfte' is more specific and common for digital attachments.

'Tilføje' adds a new item; 'forøge' increases the size or quantity of what is already there.

Yes, it is very common in formal, academic, and professional Danish.