eller
/ˈɛlər/
The English phrase "or" is translated into Danish as eller.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛlər/
Did you know?
- Danes often use eller hvad at the end of a sentence to turn a statement into a question, similar to how English speakers use 'right?' or 'don't you think?'
- If you want to say 'or else' in a way that sounds like a threat, Danes often use the phrase eller også, which literally translates to 'or also'.
- The Danish word eller is a close relative of the English word 'either', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
Examples in context
- Et kys eller to?One kiss or two?This sentence is useful for asking how many kisses someone wants using eller.Tatoeba #2690434 by danepo, translation #2690321 by fekundulo
- Går du eller ej?Are you going or not?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is going or not using eller.Tatoeba #3782875 by Sharaf78, translation #518631 by CK
- Det er kul eller sod.It's carbon or soot.This sentence is useful for identifying if something is carbon or soot using eller.Tatoeba #3668671 by danepo, translation #3668597 by gleki
- Jeg kan enten købe en bog eller gå i biografen i aften.I can either buy a book or go to the movies tonight.
- Vil du have kaffe eller te?Do you want coffee or tea?
- Vil du have en burger eller en salat til middag?Do you want a burger or a salad for dinner?
- Jeg kan lide at gå på stranden eller i skoven om sommeren.I enjoy going to the beach or the forest in the summer.
- 314 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- FrejaVil du have te eller kaffe?Do you want tea or coffee?
- LucasJeg tager kaffe, tak.I will take coffee, thanks.
- FrejaSkal vi have en kage også?Should we have a cake too?
- LucasNej, ikke i dag.No, not today.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry eller, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eller, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
