Danish grammar

The indefinite article

The Danish indefinite article (en / et) is used for a single, non-specific thing. It goes before the noun, similar to English "a/an".
en bog	a book
et hus	a house
en bil	a car
et æble	an apple
en idé	an idea

Choose en for common-gender nouns and et for neuter-gender nouns. Learn the article with each noun.
No article with professions, nationality, or religion
Han er lærer.	He is a teacher.
Hun er dansker.	She is Danish.
Jeg er muslim.	I am a Muslim.
English often uses "a/an" here (He is a teacher), but Danish normally leaves the article out (Han er lærer).
With an adjective, the article returns
Han er en dygtig lærer.	He is a skilled teacher.
Hun er en erfaren læge.	She is an experienced doctor.
If you describe the profession/nationality/religion with an adjective, use the article.
No indefinite article in the plural or with uncountables
bøger	books
huse	houses
Jeg drikker vand.	I drink water.
Common pitfalls
✘ Han er en lærer	✓ Han er lærer – no article for professions
✘ Hun er en dansker	✓ Hun er dansker – no article for nationality
✘ en hus	✓ et hus – learn gender with the noun
✘ Forget article with adjectives: Han er dygtig lærer	✓ Use article: Han er en dygtig lærer
Quick tips
• en = common, et = neuter – memorize with the noun • No article for profession/nationality/religion – but add it if there's an adjective • No indefinite article in plural or with uncountables • English "a/an" ≈ Danish en/et before singular count nouns

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