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B2 adjective 8 min de leitura

grusom

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas grusom em 30 segundos

Explicação grusom in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'grusom' often. It is a very strong word. You should know that it means 'very, very bad' or 'cruel.' You might see it in a simple story about a bad person. For example, 'En grusom mand' (A cruel man). Focus on learning 'ond' (evil/mean) first, as it is more common for basic descriptions. 'Grusom' is like the word 'cruel' in English. It is mostly used for people or things that hurt others on purpose. If you see it, just remember it describes something terrible. It is an adjective, so it describes a person or a thing. Remember the basic rule: 'en grusom...' and 'et grusomt...'. You will mostly hear it in movies or stories. It is not a word for everyday happy conversation.

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At the A2 level, you can start to recognize 'grusom' in more contexts, like news snippets or simple literature. You should understand that it is stronger than 'dårlig' (bad) or 'træls' (annoying). It refers to something that is painful or horrific. You might use it to describe a villain in a movie or a very bad event. For example, 'Det var en grusom film' (It was a gruesome/cruel movie). You should also notice the neuter form 'grusomt' and the plural 'grusomme.' At this level, you might also hear it used as an intensifier, like 'grusomt koldt' (terribly cold), which just means 'very cold.' Try to use it sparingly, only when something is truly shocking. It's a good word to have in your passive vocabulary when reading Danish folk tales.

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At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'grusom' to express stronger emotions and opinions. You can use it to describe social issues, historical events, or complex characters. You should understand the difference between 'grusom' and 'frygtelig.' While 'frygtelig' is 'terrible,' 'grusom' adds a layer of 'cruelty' or 'atrocity.' You can say, 'Det er grusomt, hvordan de behandler flygtninge' (It is cruel how they treat refugees). You are also becoming more aware of collocations like 'en grusom skæbne' (a cruel fate) or 'den grusomme sandhed' (the cruel truth). Your grammar should be more consistent with the inflections (grusom/grusomt/grusomme). You can also use the noun form 'grusomhed' (cruelty) in your writing to discuss abstract concepts.

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At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'grusom.' You can distinguish it from synonyms like 'bestialsk' (bestial) and 'ubarmhjertig' (unmerciful). You use it to describe not just physical acts but also psychological cruelty or systemic injustice. You can participate in discussions about ethics or history where 'grusom' is a key descriptor. For instance, you might analyze the 'grusomme handlinger' in a novel or a historical period. You are comfortable with the word's use as an adverbial intensifier in spoken Danish, but you know when it's appropriate. Your writing should show that you can use the word to create specific emotional effects, moving beyond simple adjectives to more evocative language that captures the severity of a situation.

At the C1 level, you use 'grusom' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand its literary weight and its ability to evoke specific historical or cultural connotations. You can use it in academic essays or high-level professional contexts to describe atrocities or severe ethical breaches. You are aware of its use in idioms and formal expressions. You can discuss the 'grusomme' nature of existential realities or philosophical dilemmas. Your vocabulary is rich enough that 'grusom' is just one of many tools you use to describe the darker aspects of life, and you choose it specifically when you want to highlight the element of suffering or malice. You also understand the subtle irony when it is used in a sophisticated, hyperbolic way in modern Danish satire or social commentary.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'grusom' is equivalent to that of a native speaker. You understand every subtle shade of meaning, from the visceral horror of a crime scene to the cold, calculated 'grusomhed' of a political regime. You can appreciate and use the word in complex literary analysis, exploring themes of cruelty in Danish classics. You are sensitive to the word's phonology and its impact on the rhythm of a sentence. You can use it to describe the 'grusomme' beauty of nature or the 'grusomme' irony of a historical coincidence. There are no limitations to your use of the word; it is fully integrated into your expressive repertoire, allowing you to convey the deepest levels of human experience and moral judgment with absolute clarity and impact.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

grusom em 30 segundos

Grusom means cruel or gruesome, describing something that causes deep pain or is horrific.
It inflects as grusom (common), grusomt (neuter), and grusomme (plural/definite).
It is a strong word, often used in news, history, and literature to describe atrocities.
In spoken Danish, it can also act as an intensifier meaning 'terribly' or 'awfully'.

The Danish word grusom is a powerful adjective that translates primarily to 'cruel,' 'atrocious,' or 'gruesome' in English. At its core, it describes something or someone that causes significant pain, suffering, or distress, often with a sense of coldness or lack of empathy. While in English we might distinguish between 'cruel' (intent to hurt) and 'gruesome' (visually horrifying), the Danish grusom elegantly bridges these nuances depending on the context.

Moral Cruelty: When describing a person's character or a specific action, it implies a level of malice that goes beyond being merely 'mean' (ond). It suggests a lack of humanity.

Historien om den onde stedmoder er virkelig grusom.

In Danish culture, which often values 'hygge' and social cohesion, using a word as strong as grusom carries significant weight. It is not a word used lightly in casual conversation unless one is being hyperbolic.

Physical Description: It can also describe sights that are visually repulsive or shocking, such as the aftermath of an accident.

Det var et grusomt syn, der mødte redningsfolkene.

Historically, the word appears frequently in Danish folklore and fairy tales, such as those by Hans Christian Andersen, where punishments for villains are often described with this adjective. It evokes a sense of old-world justice that is uncompromising. In modern usage, you will encounter it in news headlines regarding international conflicts or domestic tragedies. It is also used in a hyperbolic sense to describe things that are 'terribly' or 'awfully' bad, though this is less common than the literal meaning. For example, 'en grusom hovedpine' (a splitting/cruel headache). Understanding the depth of this word helps a learner navigate the emotional landscape of the Danish language, moving beyond basic adjectives like 'god' or 'dårlig'.

Emotional Impact: It conveys a sense of helplessness on the part of the victim and coldness on the part of the perpetrator.

Virkeligheden kan nogle gange være grusom.

Han begik en grusom handling mod uskyldige mennesker.

Naturen er ofte grusom i sin enkelthed.

Using grusom correctly requires attention to both grammatical agreement and the intensity of the situation. As an adjective, it must match the gender and number of the noun it modifies.

Common Gender (en-words): Use 'grusom' for nouns like 'mand' (man), 'skæbne' (fate), or 'handling' (action).

Det var en grusom skæbne for den unge familie.

Neuter Gender (et-words): Use 'grusomt' for nouns like 'mord' (murder), 'syn' (sight), or 'vejr' (weather - hyperbolic).

Et grusomt mord rystede den lille by.

Plural and Definite Forms: Use 'grusomme' regardless of gender when the noun is plural or in the definite form.

De grusomme detaljer kom frem under retssagen.

When placing the adjective after a linking verb (like 'er' or 'blev'), the same agreement rules apply based on the subject. For instance, 'Filmen var grusom' (The movie was cruel/horrific) vs. 'Billedet var grusomt' (The picture was gruesome). Beyond literal cruelty, you can use the adverbial form grusomt to intensify other adjectives, similar to 'terribly' or 'awfully' in English. This is common in spoken Danish. For example, 'Det er grusomt koldt i dag' (It is terribly cold today). However, be careful not to overuse this in formal writing where more precise intensifiers like 'ekstremt' or 'meget' might be preferred. In literature, grusom is often paired with abstract nouns like 'ironi' (irony) or 'sandhed' (truth). 'Den grusomme sandhed' (the cruel truth) is a frequent collocation. Using this word effectively involves recognizing the emotional peak of your story or statement. If you are describing a small mistake, 'grusom' is too strong. If you are describing a betrayal, it is perfect.

Hendes ord var grusomme og ramte ham hårdt.

Det er en grusom verden, vi lever i.

Han har en grusom humor.

In Denmark, grusom is a word that resonates in specific domains: media, literature, and serious conversation.

News and Media: Journalists use 'grusom' to describe war crimes, terrorist attacks, or particularly violent domestic crimes. It serves to convey the gravity of the event to the public.

Aviserne skrev om de grusomme forhold i fængslet.

Literature and Fairy Tales: Danish literature is rich with descriptions of cruelty. From the works of Karen Blixen to modern thriller writers like Jussi Adler-Olsen, the word is used to explore the darker side of the human psyche.

I eventyret blev den grusomme konge endelig væltet.

You will also hear it in historical contexts. When Danes discuss the German occupation during WWII or the history of absolute monarchy, grusom is used to characterize the suffering of the population or the actions of specific figures. In a more modern, slightly hyperbolic sense, young people might use it to describe an extremely difficult exam or a very bad hangover, though 'frygtelig' or 'modbydelig' are more common for these everyday annoyances.

Social Commentary: In debates about social justice or animal rights, activists use 'grusom' to highlight systemic abuse or neglect.

Det er grusomt at behandle dyr på den måde.

Finally, in the legal system, though the word itself might not be a technical legal term, it is frequently used by prosecutors and defense attorneys to describe the nature of an act when arguing for sentencing or characterizing a defendant's behavior. Understanding the word's presence in these high-stakes environments helps you appreciate its power.

Vidnerne beskrev overfaldet som grusomt.

Han mødte sin grusomme overmand.

Der findes ingen grusom sandhed, der ikke kan overvindes.

Learning to use grusom effectively involves avoiding several common pitfalls that English speakers often encounter.

Confusion with 'Frygtelig': While both can mean 'terrible,' 'frygtelig' is more related to fear or general badness, whereas 'grusom' specifically implies cruelty or horrific detail.

En grusom handling er bevidst; en frygtelig ulykke er ofte et uheld.

Inflection Errors: Forgetting to add the -t for neuter nouns or the -me for plural/definite forms is a frequent error. Remember: en grusom mand, et grusomt syn, de grusomme børn.

Det er grusomt (not grusom) at se på.

Another mistake is confusing grusom with modbydelig. While they overlap, modbydelig often carries a stronger sense of disgust or nausea (revolting), whereas grusom focuses on the pain and suffering inflicted. If a person is just very unpleasant to be around, 'modbydelig' or 'uudholdelig' (unbearable) is better. If they are actively hurting others, 'grusom' is the correct choice. English speakers also sometimes try to use 'grusom' as a direct translation for 'gross' in the slang sense. This does not work in Danish; for 'gross,' use 'ulækkert' or 'adr.' Furthermore, ensure you don't confuse it with 'barsk' (harsh). A 'barsk' environment is tough and unforgiving, but not necessarily 'grusom' unless it is actively malicious.

Over-intensification: Using 'meget grusom' is redundant because the word itself is already at the extreme end of the scale. It's better to use it on its own or with 'virkelig'.

Han var en grusom diktator.

De grusomme krigshandlinger blev fordømt.

Det var en grusom fejltagelse.

To truly master Danish, you must understand the synonyms and related terms that surround grusom. Each word has a specific flavor and register.

Ond (Evil/Mean): 'Ond' is the most general term for 'bad' or 'evil'. It can be used for a mean child or a demonic entity. 'Grusom' is more specific about the suffering caused.

Han er ikke bare ond; han er grusom.

Bestialsk (Bestial/Brutal): This word is even stronger than 'grusom'. It implies animalistic, primitive violence, often used in cases of extreme physical brutality.

Hjerteløs (Heartless): This focuses on the lack of emotion or empathy. A heartless person might be 'grusom' by omission or by not caring about the pain they cause.

Det var en grusom og hjerteløs beslutning.

Other alternatives include ubarmhjertig (unmerciful/relentless), which is often used to describe the weather or a competitive environment. Rædselsfuld (horrific/terrible) is used when the focus is on the horror felt by the observer. Umenneskelig (inhumane) is used when a situation or treatment is so bad it goes against basic human rights. Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the intent (grusom, ond), the physical result (bestialsk), the lack of feeling (hjerteløs), or the scale of the horror (rædselsfuld). In academic or formal writing, atrocity is often translated as 'grusomhed' (the noun form). Understanding these nuances allows for more precise and evocative communication in Danish.

Naturens love er grusomme og ubarmhjertige.

Han begik en grusom fejl under operationen.

Det er en grusom ironi, at han vandt i dag.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root 'gru' is also found in the word 'grue' (to dread), which is why 'grusom' carries a sense of both horror and cruelty.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ˈɡʁuˌsɔm/

US /ˈɡruˌsɔm/

Stress is on the first syllable: GRU-som.

Rima com

som om kom from dom tom gom rom

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'r' like an English 'r'.
Making the 'u' sound like the 'u' in 'up'.
Stress on the second syllable.
Not inflecting the word to 'grusomt' in neuter sentences.
Misspelling 'grusomme' with one 'm'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in literature and news, easy to recognize if you know 'gruesome'.

Escrita 4/5

Requires correct inflection (grusom/grusomt/grusomme).

Expressão oral 4/5

Danish 'r' and 'u' sounds can be tricky for English speakers.

Audição 3/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

ond dårlig meget se mand

Aprenda a seguir

bestialsk ubarmhjertig rædsel lider skæbne

Avançado

atrocitet nådesløs hjerteløshed voldelig overgreb

Gramática essencial

Adjective Agreement

En grusom mand (common), et grusomt barn (neuter).

Pluralization of Adjectives

De grusomme mænd (plural).

Adverbial formation

Han handlede grusomt (adding -t to form an adverb).

Definite Adjective form

Den grusomme sandhed (adding -e for definite).

Comparison

Grusom, grusommere, grusomst.

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Exemplos por nível

Han er en grusom mand.

He is a cruel man.

Simple adjective use with common gender noun.

Det var et grusomt syn.

It was a gruesome sight.

Neuter form 'grusomt' for 'et syn'.

Hvorfor er du grusom?

Why are you cruel?

Adjective after the verb 'er'.

Historien er grusom.

The story is cruel.

Adjective describing a common gender noun 'historie'.

De er grusomme.

They are cruel.

Plural form 'grusomme'.

En grusom konge.

A cruel king.

Adjective modifying 'konge'.

Det er grusomt koldt.

It is terribly cold.

Adverbial use as an intensifier.

Hendes ord var grusomme.

Her words were cruel.

Plural adjective matching 'ord' (words).

Filmen i går var virkelig grusom.

The movie yesterday was really gruesome.

Using 'virkelig' to emphasize the adjective.

Jeg har en grusom hovedpine.

I have a splitting headache.

Metaphorical/hyperbolic use for pain.

Det var en grusom skæbne.

It was a cruel fate.

Common collocation 'grusom skæbne'.

De grusomme børn drillede ham.

The cruel children teased him.

Definite plural form 'grusomme'.

Vejret er grusomt i dag.

The weather is terrible today.

Neuter form for 'vejret'.

Han mødte en grusom skæbne i skoven.

He met a cruel fate in the forest.

Narrative use of the word.

Det er grusomt at tænke på.

It is cruel to think about.

Neuter adjective used as a predicate.

Hun fortalte en grusom sandhed.

She told a cruel truth.

Adjective modifying 'sandhed'.

Krigen har været utrolig grusom mod civilbefolkningen.

The war has been incredibly cruel to the civilian population.

Adjective describing 'krigen'.

Det er grusomt at lade dyr lide.

It is cruel to let animals suffer.

Impersonal 'det er' construction.

Hendes grusomme handlinger blev aldrig glemt.

Her cruel actions were never forgotten.

Definite plural adjective.

Han har en grusom humor, som ikke alle forstår.

He has a cruel sense of humor that not everyone understands.

Describing a personality trait.

Det er en grusom verden, vi lever i.

It is a cruel world we live in.

Standard idiomatic expression.

Han blev udsat for en grusom behandling.

He was subjected to cruel treatment.

Passive construction with 'udsagt for'.

Det grusomme ved situationen er manglen på håb.

The cruel thing about the situation is the lack of hope.

Adjective used as a noun with 'det ... ved'.

De grusomme detaljer blev udeladt af rapporten.

The gruesome details were left out of the report.

Definite plural adjective.

Romanen skildrer den grusomme virkelighed i 1800-tallet.

The novel depicts the cruel reality of the 19th century.

Formal verb 'skildrer' used with the adjective.

Det er en grusom ironi, at han blev syg lige før ferien.

It is a cruel irony that he got sick right before the vacation.

Collocation 'grusom ironi'.

Han begik et grusomt overgreb på hendes tillid.

He committed a cruel violation of her trust.

Metaphorical use for emotional betrayal.

Naturen kan være både smuk og grusom.

Nature can be both beautiful and cruel.

Contrasting adjectives.

De grusomme sandheder kom endelig for dagens lys.

The cruel truths finally came to light.

Plural definite form.

Det var et grusomt eksperiment uden etisk grundlag.

It was a cruel experiment without an ethical basis.

Formal context.

Hendes grusomme bemærkning fik ham til at tie.

Her cruel remark made him fall silent.

Describing the effect of an action.

Vi må ikke lukke øjnene for de grusomme fakta.

We must not close our eyes to the cruel facts.

Using 'grusom' with 'fakta'.

Systemet udviste en grusom ligegyldighed over for de svageste.

The system showed a cruel indifference toward the weakest.

Abstract noun 'ligegyldighed' modified by 'grusom'.

Der findes en grusom logik i diktatorens handlinger.

There is a cruel logic in the dictator's actions.

Describing a thought process.

Hun beskrev sin barndom som en grusom kamp for overlevelse.

She described her childhood as a cruel struggle for survival.

Descriptive narrative style.

Det er grusomt at se, hvordan magten korrumperer.

It is cruel to see how power corrupts.

Reflective statement.

Den grusomme sandhed er, at vi alle er dødelige.

The cruel truth is that we are all mortal.

Philosophical usage.

De grusomme konsekvenser af klimaforandringerne er tydelige.

The cruel consequences of climate change are clear.

Scientific/political context.

Han mødte sin overmand på den mest grusomme måde.

He met his match in the most cruel way.

Superlative construction 'den mest grusomme'.

Det var et grusomt slag for hele nationen.

It was a cruel blow for the entire nation.

Metaphorical 'slag' (blow/hit).

Værkets grusomme æstetik provokerede både kritikere og publikum.

The work's cruel aesthetic provoked both critics and the audience.

Aesthetic/literary analysis.

Der er noget grusomt fascinerende ved menneskets mørke sider.

There is something cruelly fascinating about humanity's dark sides.

Adverbial use modifying another adjective.

Han analyserede de grusomme mekanismer bag folkemordet.

He analyzed the cruel mechanisms behind the genocide.

Sociological/historical analysis.

Livets grusomme vilkårlighed er et centralt tema i hans poesi.

Life's cruel arbitrariness is a central theme in his poetry.

Philosophical/literary theme.

Det var en grusom og nådesløs udrensning af politiske modstandere.

It was a cruel and merciless purge of political opponents.

Political history.

Hun formåede at skildre det grusomme uden at forfalde til sentimentalitet.

She managed to depict the cruel without lapsing into sentimentality.

Substantive use of the adjective 'det grusomme'.

Det er en grusom nødvendighed i den biologiske evolution.

It is a cruel necessity in biological evolution.

Scientific/philosophical context.

Hans grusomme vid gjorde ham frygtet i de intellektuelle cirkler.

His cruel wit made him feared in intellectual circles.

Describing intellectual sharpness.

Colocações comuns

en grusom skæbne

et grusomt syn

den grusomme sandhed

grusomme handlinger

en grusom ironi

grusomt koldt

en grusom diktator

grusomme detaljer

en grusom behandling

grusom humor

Frases Comuns

At se den grusomme sandhed i øjnene

— To face the harsh or cruel reality of a situation.

Vi bliver nødt til at se den grusomme sandhed i øjnene.

En grusom fejltagelse

— A mistake with terrible or devastating consequences.

Det viste sig at være en grusom fejltagelse.

Under grusomme forhold

— Living or working in terrible, inhumane conditions.

De levede under grusomme forhold i lejren.

En grusom død

— A painful or horrific way to die.

Han led en grusom død.

At være grusom mod nogen

— To treat someone with cruelty.

Du skal ikke være grusom mod din lillebror.

En grusom virkelighed

— A reality that is hard to accept due to its harshness.

Det er den grusomme virkelighed for mange.

Grusomme krigsforbrydelser

— Horrific acts committed during a war.

Han blev anklaget for grusomme krigsforbrydelser.

En grusom straf

— A punishment that is excessively harsh.

Det var en grusom straf for en lille fejl.

Grusomt køn

— Terribly/awfully pretty (rare/dialectal/ironic).

Hun er grusomt køn.

At gøre noget grusomt

— To do something horrific or cruel.

Han gjorde noget grusomt mod hende.

Frequentemente confundido com

grusom vs frygtelig

Frygtelig is more general 'terrible' or 'scary', while grusom is specifically 'cruel'.

grusom vs modbydelig

Modbydelig means 'revolting' or 'disgusting', grusom means 'causing suffering'.

grusom vs hård

Hård means 'hard' or 'tough', which is less intense than grusom.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Grusomhedens anatomi"

— A deep analysis of how cruelty works (often literary).

Bogen undersøger grusomhedens anatomi.

Academic

"Grusom som en bøddel"

— As cruel as an executioner (very cruel).

Han var grusom som en bøddel mod sine fjender.

Literary

"Den grusomme leg"

— A situation where people are treated like toys or in a cruel manner.

Politik kan være en grusom leg.

Neutral

"At lege en grusom leg med skæbnen"

— To take dangerous risks that might end badly.

Han legede en grusom leg med skæbnen.

Literary

"Livets grusomme skole"

— Learning through very hard and painful experiences.

Han er uddannet i livets grusomme skole.

Neutral

"En grusom spøg"

— A joke that goes too far and hurts someone.

Det var en grusom spøg at gemme hans medicin.

Neutral

"Grusomhed kender ingen grænser"

— Cruelty has no limits (used when shocked by an act).

Menneskelig grusomhed kender ingen grænser.

Formal

"At få en grusom opvågnen"

— To suddenly realize a terrible truth.

Han fik en grusom opvågnen, da firmaet gik konkurs.

Neutral

"I grusomhedens tjeneste"

— Serving a cruel cause or person.

Han handlede i grusomhedens tjeneste.

Formal

"En grusom nødvendighed"

— Something terrible that must be done for a greater purpose.

Krigen blev set som en grusom nødvendighed.

Formal

Fácil de confundir

grusom vs grusom

Sounds like 'gruesome'.

In Danish, it means both 'cruel' and 'gruesome'.

En grusom mand vs. et grusomt syn.

grusom vs ond

Both mean 'bad'.

Ond is 'evil' in a general sense; grusom is more about the act of causing pain.

En ond plan vs. en grusom handling.

grusom vs bestialsk

Both describe bad acts.

Bestialsk is more extreme and animalistic.

Et bestialsk mord.

grusom vs rædselsfuld

Both mean 'terrible'.

Rædselsfuld focuses on the horror/fear felt.

En rædselsfuld nat.

grusom vs barsk

Both mean 'harsh'.

Barsk is 'tough' or 'rough' (like weather), not necessarily cruel.

Et barskt klima.

Padrões de frases

Subjekt + er + grusom.

Han er grusom.

Det er + grusomt + at + infinitiv.

Det er grusomt at lyve.

En + grusom + substantiv.

En grusom skæbne.

Det + grusomme + ved + substantiv.

Det grusomme ved krigen.

Være + grusom + mod + nogen.

Han var grusom mod sin familie.

Adverbial + grusom + adjektiv.

Det er grusomt fascinerende.

Subjekt + handlede + grusomt.

De handlede grusomt.

Den + grusomme + sandhed.

Den grusomme sandhed kom frem.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

grusomhed (cruelty)

grusomheder (atrocities)

Verbos

grusommeliggøre (to make cruel - rare)

Adjetivos

grusom (cruel)

ugrusom (not cruel - very rare)

Relacionado

gru (horror)

grue (to dread)

grufuld (horrific)

gruopvækkende (hair-raising)

ondsindet (malicious)

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Como usar

frequency

Medium-High in specific genres (news, thrillers, history).

Erros comuns

En grusomt mand → En grusom mand
Mand is common gender, so no -t.
Det var grusom → Det var grusomt
In an impersonal sentence with 'det', use the neuter form.
De grusom børn → De grusomme børn
Plural and definite forms require -e.
Jeg er grusom træt → Jeg er grusomt træt
When used as an adverb/intensifier, it must be 'grusomt'.
En grusomhed handling → En grusom handling
Don't use the noun 'grusomhed' as an adjective.

Dicas

Check the Noun

Always look at the noun's gender before writing 'grusom' or 'grusomt'.

Use with 'Skæbne'

This is a very common pairing in Danish literature.

Intensifier

Use 'grusomt' before an adjective to sound more like a native in cold weather.

Avoid Overuse

Save this word for truly terrible things to keep its impact.

H.C. Andersen

Look for this word when reading his fairy tales to see it in context.

News Context

When you hear 'grusom' on the news, pay attention to the nouns following it.

Gru-some

Remember the English word 'gruesome' to help you recall 'grusom'.

Literary Flair

Use it to describe the 'cruel truth' (den grusomme sandhed).

Strong Accusation

Calling a person 'grusom' is a very serious thing to do in Denmark.

Plural Form

The plural is always 'grusomme', no matter the gender.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of the word 'gruesome'. They sound similar and share a similar meaning of horror and cruelty.

Associação visual

Imagine a 'gru' (horror) monster that is 'som' (like) a cruel king.

Word Web

gru ond skæbne syn mord handling sandhed koldt

Desafio

Try to use 'grusom' in three different sentences today: one about a person, one about a sight, and one as an intensifier for weather.

Origem da palavra

Derived from the Danish noun 'gru' (horror/dread), which comes from Middle Low German 'gruwen'.

Significado original: Originally related to the feeling of shivering or trembling with fear.

Germanic.

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this word about living people, as it is a very strong accusation of malice.

English speakers might find 'grusom' more versatile than 'cruel' since it also covers 'gruesome'.

H.C. Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl' (a cruel/grusom fate) The TV series 'The Killing' (Forbrydelsen) Danish WWII history books

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Crime and Justice

et grusomt mord
grusomme beviser
en grusom gerningsmand
grusom afstraffelse

History and War

grusomme krige
en grusom besættelse
grusomme vilkår
grusomme diktatorer

Literature/Fairy Tales

en grusom stedmoder
en grusom skæbne
grusomme prøvelser
den grusomme sandhed

Weather (Hyperbole)

grusomt koldt
grusomt vejr
en grusom storm
grusomt varmt

Social Issues

grusom behandling af dyr
grusom ulighed
en grusom verden
grusom ligegyldighed

Iniciadores de conversa

"Hvad er den mest grusomme film, du nogensinde har set?"

"Synes du, at naturen er grusom eller bare retfærdig?"

"Har du nogensinde oplevet en grusom ironi i dit liv?"

"Er det grusomt at holde vilde dyr i fangeskab?"

"Hvordan reagerer du på grusomme nyheder i medierne?"

Temas para diário

Skriv om en gang, hvor du følte, at skæbnen var grusom mod dig eller en du kender.

Beskriv en karakter i en bog, som er grusom, og forklar hvorfor.

Reflektér over begrebet 'den grusomme sandhed'. Er det altid bedre at kende sandheden?

Hvordan kan vi som samfund bekæmpe grusomhed mod de svageste?

Skriv en kort historie, der starter med sætningen: 'Det var et grusomt syn'.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Kun hvis du joker. Det lyder meget dramatisk. Brug hellere 'dårlig' eller 'ulækker'.

'Grusom' bruges til en-ord (fælleskøn), og 'grusomt' bruges til et-ord (intetkøn).

Ja, det er et af de stærkeste ord for at beskrive ondskab eller rædsel i dansk.

Nej, aldrig. Det er altid negativt, medmindre det bruges ironisk som intensifier.

Det hedder 'grusomhed'.

Mest som 'grusomt koldt' eller 'grusomt dyrt', ellers er det til alvorlige emner.

Ja, det er den mest præcise oversættelse.

Ja, man kan sige 'Han er grusom mod sig selv'.

Det betyder 'a cruel fate', noget uundgåeligt og forfærdeligt.

Det har rødder langt tilbage, men bruges stadig meget i dag.

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