del em 30 segundos
- Del: a part or portion of a whole.
- Used for physical and abstract divisions.
- Common in everyday Danish.
- Singular: del, Plural: dele.
The Danish word 'del' (pronounced roughly like 'del' in English, with a soft 'd' sound) is a fundamental noun that means 'part' or 'portion'. It's used to refer to a section or piece of a larger whole, whether that whole is a physical object, an abstract concept, or a quantity.
Think of it like cutting a cake. Each slice is a 'del' of the whole cake. If you're talking about a book, a chapter is a 'del' of the book. In a group of people, one person is a 'del' of the group. It's a very versatile word that you'll encounter in everyday Danish conversation and writing.
In a more abstract sense, 'del' can also refer to a share or a role in something. For example, if you contribute to a project, you've played a 'del' in its success. It signifies a component or an element that makes up a greater entity. Understanding 'del' is crucial for grasping how Danes break down and discuss things into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Dette er en del af kagen.
The word 'del' is incredibly common and forms the basis for many other Danish words and phrases. Its simplicity makes it accessible for beginners, yet its nuanced meanings allow for sophisticated expression. You'll hear it when people are dividing things, describing components, or talking about their involvement in a situation.
Consider the context: if someone says 'Jeg vil gerne have en del af pizzaen', they are asking for a slice of the pizza. If they say 'Han tog en stor del i projektet', they mean he took a significant part or played a big role in the project. The context will always guide you to the specific meaning of 'del'.
- Key Concepts
- A physical piece of something.
- An abstract component of a whole.
- A share or contribution.
Hvilken del vil du have?
Using 'del' in sentences is straightforward, especially at the A1 CEFR level. It functions as a noun, and its placement in a sentence will depend on whether it's the subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase.
Here are some fundamental sentence structures:
- Subject
- The 'del' is performing the action or being described. Example: 'En del af bogen er interessant.' (A part of the book is interesting.)
- Object
- The 'del' is receiving the action. Example: 'Jeg vil gerne have en del.' (I would like a part.)
- Prepositional Phrase
- 'Del' is used with prepositions like 'af' (of), 'i' (in), 'til' (to). Example: 'Han giver en del af sin tid til velgørenhed.' (He gives a part of his time to charity.)
Let's look at some common variations:
Dette er den bedste del.
Kan du give mig en del?
When 'del' refers to a portion of something countable, you often use 'en del' (a part) or 'en stor del' (a large part), 'en lille del' (a small part). If you are referring to a specific, known part, you might use 'delen' (the part).
- More Examples
- 'Hele gruppen kom, men kun en del af dem blev.' (The whole group came, but only a part of them stayed.)
- 'Den vigtigste del af lektionen var den sidste.' (The most important part of the lesson was the last one.)
- 'Jeg har allerede læst den første del.' (I have already read the first part.)
- 'Vil du dele delen med mig?' (Will you share the part with me? - This is a bit redundant, but grammatically correct.)
You'll hear 'del' in countless everyday situations in Denmark. It's a word that seamlessly integrates into spoken language, making it essential for everyday communication.
In the home: When sharing food, dividing chores, or discussing furniture arrangements. 'Kan du give mig en del af kagen?' (Can you give me a part of the cake?) or 'Hvilken del af huset skal vi rydde op i dag?' (Which part of the house shall we clean today?).
At the shops: When buying items that are sold by weight or measure. 'Jeg vil gerne have en del af osten.' (I would like a part of the cheese.) or 'En del af stoffet er nok.' (A part of the fabric is enough.).
In conversations about events or activities: 'Jeg var kun til stede en del af tiden.' (I was only present for a part of the time.) or 'Den sidste del af filmen var meget spændende.' (The last part of the movie was very exciting.).
Hvad er den bedste del af din dag?
When discussing work or projects: 'Hver del af projektet har sin egen deadline.' (Each part of the project has its own deadline.) or 'Han tog en stor del i beslutningen.' (He took a large part in the decision.).
In educational settings: Teachers might refer to 'den første del af lektionen' (the first part of the lesson) or 'en vigtig del af pensum' (an important part of the curriculum).
- Common Scenarios
- Sharing food: 'Vil du have en del af min sandwich?' (Do you want a part of my sandwich?).
- Dividing tasks: 'Vi deler arbejdet op i mindre dele.' (We divide the work into smaller parts.) - Note the plural 'dele'.
- Describing components: 'Motoren er den vigtigste del af bilen.' (The engine is the most important part of the car.)
Denne del af byen er meget gammel.
While 'del' is a simple word, learners might make a few common mistakes, especially when trying to express more nuanced ideas or when confusing it with similar-sounding words.
1. Confusing 'del' (part) with 'del' (verb: to share/divide): Danish has a verb 'at dele' which means 'to share' or 'to divide'. While they share the same root, they are different parts of speech. Saying 'Jeg del' instead of 'Jeg deler' would be incorrect. For example, 'Jeg deler kagen' (I am sharing the cake) is correct, but 'Jeg del kagen' is not. As a noun, 'del' refers to the piece itself.
2. Overuse of the definite form 'delen': Learners might use 'delen' (the part) when they mean 'en del' (a part) or 'nogle dele' (some parts). If you're referring to a general part or an unspecified portion, use the indefinite form. For instance, 'En del af problemet er prisen.' (A part of the problem is the price.) is more common than 'Delen af problemet er prisen.' unless you're referring to a specific, previously mentioned part.
Forkert: Han tog del af æren. Rigtigt: Han tog en del af æren.
3. Incorrect pluralization: The plural of 'del' is 'dele'. Forgetting to pluralize when referring to multiple parts can be an error. For example, 'De forskellige dele af bilen var nye.' (The different parts of the car were new.) is correct, whereas 'De forskellige del af bilen var nye.' would be incorrect.
4. Misunderstanding abstract usage: While 'del' can mean a physical part, it also refers to abstract parts or contributions. Learners might stick too rigidly to the physical meaning. For example, 'Han har en stor del i succesen.' (He has a big part/role in the success.) is a common abstract use that might be missed if one only thinks of physical pieces.
- Common Pitfalls
- Using the verb form ('del') when the noun form ('del') is needed.
- Using the definite article ('delen') when an indefinite or general reference is intended ('en del').
- Forgetting to use the plural form ('dele') when referring to multiple parts.
5. Direct translation issues: Sometimes, the English word 'part' is used in ways that don't directly translate to 'del'. For example, in phrases like 'take part in', the Danish equivalent is often 'tage del i' (literally 'take part in') or simply 'deltage i' (to participate). While 'del' is involved, the structure might differ.
While 'del' is a very common and versatile word for 'part' or 'portion', Danish has other words that can be used in similar contexts, often with slightly different nuances or for specific types of divisions.
- Stykke (piece)
- 'Stykke' generally refers to a physical 'piece' of something, often something that has been cut or broken off. While 'del' can be abstract, 'stykke' is more concrete.
- Example: 'Et stykke kage' (A piece of cake) - very similar to 'en del af kagen', but 'stykke' emphasizes the individual, often smaller, piece.
- Example: 'Et stykke papir' (A piece of paper) - here 'stykke' is more natural than 'del'.
- Andel (share, portion)
- 'Andel' often implies a share in something, especially in terms of ownership, profit, or responsibility. It's more specific than 'del' and often used in financial or business contexts.
- Example: 'Hun fik sin andel af fortjenesten.' (She got her share of the profit.) - 'En del af fortjenesten' could also work, but 'andel' is more precise here.
- Example: 'Han ejer en stor andel i firmaet.' (He owns a large share in the company.)
- Afdeling (department, section)
- 'Afdeling' refers to a specific section or division within a larger organization, institution, or even a physical space.
- Example: 'Jeg arbejder i marketingafdelingen.' (I work in the marketing department.) - Here, 'afdeling' is the correct term, not 'del'.
- Example: 'Den gamle afdeling af museet er lukket.' (The old section of the museum is closed.)
'Del' vs 'Stykke': En del af kagen kan være et stort stykke.
- Brøkdel (fraction)
- 'Brøkdel' specifically refers to a mathematical fraction, a part of a whole expressed numerically.
- Example: 'En halv er en brøkdel.' (A half is a fraction.) - 'En del' could technically refer to a half, but 'brøkdel' is the precise mathematical term.
In summary, while 'del' is the most general term for 'part' or 'portion', context will guide you. If you're talking about a physical piece, 'stykke' might be more appropriate. For shares or stakes, 'andel' is often used. For organizational divisions, 'afdeling' is the term. And for mathematical fractions, 'brøkdel' is specific.
How Formal Is It?
Curiosidade
The concept of 'sharing' and 'dividing' is fundamental across many Indo-European languages, reflected in words like German 'Teil', Dutch 'deel', and English 'deal' (though the English meaning has shifted significantly).
Guia de pronúncia
- Pronouncing the 'd' too hard, like in 'dog'. It should be softer.
- Using a diphthong for the vowel, making it sound like 'dale' instead of 'del'.
- Adding an extra syllable or sound.
Nível de dificuldade
At the A1 level, 'del' is easily recognizable and understood in simple contexts. Its frequent use makes it quickly familiar.
Basic usage is straightforward. Potential for errors arises with pluralization or distinguishing between definite/indefinite forms.
Pronunciation is simple. Learners can quickly incorporate it into basic sentences.
The word is common and clearly pronounced, making it easy to identify in spoken Danish.
O que aprender depois
Pré-requisitos
Aprenda a seguir
Avançado
Exemplos por nível
Dette er en del af huset.
This is a part of the house.
'del' is a singular noun here, referring to one part.
Jeg vil have en del af kagen.
I want a part of the cake.
'en del' means 'a part'.
Hvilken del vil du have?
Which part do you want?
'Hvilken' is an interrogative pronoun meaning 'which'.
Den sidste del var svær.
The last part was difficult.
'Den sidste del' means 'the last part'.
Kan du give mig en del?
Can you give me a part?
A simple request using 'en del'.
Han tog en del i projektet.
He took a part in the project.
'tog en del i' means 'took a part in'.
Hele bogen, eller bare en del?
The whole book, or just a part?
Contrasting 'hele' (whole) with 'en del' (a part).
Dette er kun en lille del.
This is only a small part.
'en lille del' means 'a small part'.
En stor del af byen blev ødelagt.
A large part of the city was destroyed.
'En stor del' emphasizes a substantial portion.
Vi skal dele denne del af arbejdet.
We need to share this part of the work.
Uses both the verb 'dele' (to share) and the noun 'del' (part).
Hvad er den vigtigste del af opskriften?
What is the most important part of the recipe?
'den vigtigste del' refers to the most crucial component.
De forskellige dele passer sammen.
The different parts fit together.
'dele' is the plural form of 'del'.
Jeg har kun læst den første del af bogen.
I have only read the first part of the book.
'den første del' refers to the initial section.
En del af pengene går til velgørenhed.
A part of the money goes to charity.
'En del af pengene' means 'some of the money'.
Hvilken del af bilen virker ikke?
Which part of the car isn't working?
Asking about a malfunctioning component.
Det er en naturlig del af livet.
It is a natural part of life.
Abstract usage of 'del'.
Han bidrog med en betydelig del til projektets succes.
He contributed a significant part to the project's success.
'en betydelig del' means 'a significant part'.
Vi må acceptere, at dette er en uundgåelig del af processen.
We must accept that this is an unavoidable part of the process.
'uundgåelig del' refers to an inevitable component.
Den kulturelle del af rejsen var mest interessant.
The cultural part of the trip was most interesting.
'Den kulturelle del' refers to a specific aspect of an experience.
En stor del af befolkningen støtter forslaget.
A large part of the population supports the proposal.
'En stor del af befolkningen' means 'a large portion of the population'.
Hver del af maskinen skal vedligeholdes regelmæssigt.
Each part of the machine must be maintained regularly.
'Hver del' means 'each part'.
Det er en fælles del af vores ansvar.
It is a shared part of our responsibility.
'fælles del' implies a collective aspect.
Den digitale del af forretningen vokser hurtigt.
The digital part of the business is growing rapidly.
Referring to a specific sector within a business.
Han forsømte den vigtigste del af sin uddannelse.
He neglected the most important part of his education.
'den vigtigste del' highlights a critical component.
Det er en integreret del af den overordnede strategi.
It is an integrated part of the overall strategy.
'integreret del' implies a component essential to the whole.
En betragtelig del af budgettet er allokeret til forskning.
A considerable part of the budget is allocated to research.
'En betragtelig del' means 'a considerable portion'.
Vi diskuterer nu den etiske del af spørgsmålet.
We are now discussing the ethical part of the issue.
Focusing on a specific dimension, like ethics.
Den lokale del af nyhederne gav et interessant perspektiv.
The local part of the news provided an interesting perspective.
Referring to a specific regional segment of information.
Hans personlige deltagelse var afgørende for at nå målet.
His personal involvement was crucial to reaching the goal.
While 'deltagelse' (participation) is used, 'del' is implicitly part of the concept of contribution.
Forskellige dele af samfundet reagerede forskelligt.
Different parts of society reacted differently.
'Forskellige dele af samfundet' refers to various social strata or groups.
Det er en væsentlig del af vores identitet.
It is an essential part of our identity.
'væsentlig del' means 'essential part'.
Den tekniske del af problemet krævede ekspertise.
The technical part of the problem required expertise.
Referring to a specialized aspect of a problem.
Man kan argumentere for, at dette er en rudimentær del af den oprindelige plan.
One can argue that this is a rudimentary part of the original plan.
'rudimentær del' refers to a basic or foundational element.
Den narrative del af værket udforsker komplekse temaer.
The narrative part of the work explores complex themes.
Referring to the storytelling aspect of an artistic creation.
En ikke uvæsentlig del af befolkningen lider af kroniske smerter.
A not insignificant part of the population suffers from chronic pain.
'En ikke uvæsentlig del' means 'a not insignificant portion', implying a substantial amount.
Den regulatoriske del af lovgivningen er særligt udfordrende.
The regulatory part of the legislation is particularly challenging.
Focusing on the compliance or rule-making aspect.
Vi skal analysere hver enkelt del af dataene grundigt.
We must analyze each individual part of the data thoroughly.
'hver enkelt del' emphasizes meticulous examination of every component.
Den følelsesmæssige del af oplevelsen var overvældende.
The emotional part of the experience was overwhelming.
Referring to the affective or psychological aspect.
En brøkdel af et sekund kan ændre alt.
A fraction of a second can change everything.
'En brøkdel af et sekund' uses 'brøkdel' (fraction) for extreme precision, but 'del' could be used more generally for 'part'.
Det er en fundamental del af den menneskelige psyke.
It is a fundamental part of the human psyche.
'fundamental del' refers to a foundational aspect.
Den ontologiske del af hans filosofi er særligt indflydelsesrig.
The ontological part of his philosophy is particularly influential.
'ontologiske del' refers to the philosophical study of being.
Vi må ikke overse den epistemologiske del af forskningen.
We must not overlook the epistemological part of the research.
'epistemologiske del' pertains to the theory of knowledge.
En marginal del af befolkningen har oplevet dette fænomen.
A marginal part of the population has experienced this phenomenon.
'En marginal del' means 'a marginal or negligible portion'.
Den hermeneutiske del af analysen krævede dyb fortolkning.
The hermeneutic part of the analysis required deep interpretation.
'hermeneutiske del' relates to the theory of interpretation.
Han leverede en uundværlig del af den samlede indsats.
He delivered an indispensable part of the total effort.
'uundværlig del' means 'indispensable part'.
Den semantiske del af sproget er konstant under udvikling.
The semantic part of language is constantly evolving.
'semantiske del' refers to the meaning aspect of language.
En ikke ubetydelig del af historien er gået tabt.
A not insignificant part of history has been lost.
'En ikke ubetydelig del' means 'a not insignificant part', implying a considerable loss.
Den syntaktiske del af sætningen var korrekt, men den semantiske var tvivlsom.
The syntactic part of the sentence was correct, but the semantic was questionable.
Contrasting structural correctness with meaning.
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
Expressões idiomáticas
— to take one's share (of responsibility, burden, or reward).
Han var villig til at tage sin del af arbejdet.
neutral— to be part of something bigger; to feel a sense of belonging or purpose.
Hun følte, at hun var en del af noget større end sig selv.
neutral/inspirational— a drop in the ocean; a very small and insignificant amount compared to what is needed.
Selvom vi donerede penge, føltes det som en dråbe i havet.
idiomatic/figurative— to divide opinions; to be controversial.
Dette nye forslag deler vandene i befolkningen.
idiomatic/figurative— to play a role / take part in (often used interchangeably depending on context).
Han spillede en vigtig rolle i forhandlingerne.
neutral— to be everything and nothing; to be all-encompassing yet also insignificant.
I drømme kan man føle sig som det hele og intet på samme tid.
philosophical/figurative— to have one's share of (often negative experiences or difficulties).
Hun har haft sin del af modgang i livet.
neutral— to share a fate; to experience the same outcome, often negative.
Soldaterne delte skæbne på slagmarken.
poetic/dramatic— a world of difference (emphasizing a large difference, where one part is vastly superior or different from another).
Den nye version er en verden til forskel fra den gamle.
idiomatic/comparative— to be part of the package; to be an accepted, often unavoidable, aspect of a situation.
Udfordringer er en del af pakken, når man starter en virksomhed.
colloquial/neutralFamília de palavras
Substantivos
Verbos
Relacionado
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a 'D' shaped cookie ('D' for Del). You break off a 'del' (part) of the cookie to share with a friend.
Associação visual
Picture a pie chart with several slices. Each slice is a 'del' of the whole pie.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to describe different objects around you by naming their 'dele'. For example, a chair has four 'dele' (legs) and a seat.
Origem da palavra
The word 'del' comes from Old Norse 'deil', which itself is related to Proto-Germanic '*dailaz'. This root signifies division, portion, or share.
Significado original: The original meaning was very similar to the modern meaning: a part or portion of a whole.
Indo-European > Germanic > North Germanic > Old NorseContexto cultural
The word 'del' itself is neutral. However, discussions about 'del' can be sensitive if they involve unequal distribution, perceived unfairness, or exclusion from receiving one's 'del'.
The English word 'deal' shares a common Germanic root with Danish 'del', but its primary meaning in modern English has shifted to 'an agreement' or 'transaction'. However, older uses of 'deal' could mean 'to divide' or 'to distribute', aligning more closely with the Danish 'del'.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Sharing Food
- Kan jeg få en del af din sandwich?
- Vi deler denne del af kagen.
- Hvor stor en del vil du have?
Describing Objects
Summary
The Danish word 'del' signifies a part or portion of a larger whole, applicable to both physical objects and abstract concepts. Its plural form is 'dele'.
- Del: a part or portion of a whole.
- Used for physical and abstract divisions.
- Common in everyday Danish.
- Singular: del, Plural: dele.
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afbryde
B1To stop something from continuing
afbøje
B2To deflect or turn aside.
afgørende
B1Decisivo ou crucial. Usado para descrever algo que determina o desfecho de uma situação.
afholde
B2Realizar ou sediar um evento formal, como uma reunião ou eleição.
afhængig
B1Determined or decided by something else
afkorte
B2To shorten or reduce in length.
afmærke
B2Marcar ou delimitar uma posição ou rota. 'A trilha está bem sinalizada com marcas coloridas.'
afrunde
B2To conclude or make complete.
afslutte
B1Terminar ou concluir uma tarefa ou processo de maneira formal.
afsløre
B2Revelar ou desvendar algo que era secreto. 'Ele finalmente revelou o seu segredo' e 'A estátua será revelada amanhã.'
