vente
/vɛntə/
The Danish verb for 'wait' is vente.
The verb vente is used to express delaying an action until a certain event occurs. When you are waiting for a specific person or an object, you must use the preposition på after the verb, such as in the phrase vente på mig (wait for me).
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
Which one should you use?
While vente is the base verb, you must add the preposition på when the waiting is directed toward a specific person or thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The infinitive form of the verb is expressed as at vente. The present tense is venter (waits / am waiting / are waiting), and the past tense is ventede (waited).
How do you pronounce it?
/vɛntə/
When do people say it?
To ask for a little patience, you can say Lidt tålmodighed, tak (A little patience, please). If you need to tell someone you will be there immediately, you can use Jeg kommer straks (I'm coming right away).
Did you know?
- In Danish, you can use vente to describe a pregnancy, such as in at vente et barn, which literally means 'to wait for a child'.
- The Danish word vente is an ancient relative of the English word 'friend'. Both originate from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to be friendly or to expect something from a friend.
- Danish speakers often use the word lige (meaning 'just' or 'right') alongside vent to make the command sound much more polite and less abrupt.
Examples in context
- Kan vi vente her?Can we wait here?This sentence shows how to use vente to ask if waiting in a specific location is possible.Tatoeba #8595363 by danepo, translation #8595360 by CK
- Jeg bad Tom vente.I asked Tom to wait.This sentence demonstrates using vente after another verb.Tatoeba #8893565 by danepo, translation #8892131 by CK
- Lad os vente og se.Let's wait and see.This sentence illustrates the common expression using vente to suggest waiting to see what happens.Tatoeba #3530154 by danepo, translation #2007769 by CK
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mads and Freja are deciding when to leave the house.
- MadsSkal vi gå nu?Should we go now?
- FrejaVi må vente på bussen.We have to wait for the bus.
- MadsHvor længe skal vi vente?How long should we wait?
- FrejaBare fem minutter, Mads.Just five minutes, Mads.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wait” translations and entries vente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
