10 ways to use "nå"
The little word "nå" is very versatile in Danish, and you can use it in many different contexts. Sometimes, you just need to throw it in to keep the conversation going. And sometimes, you can add a little extra word.
It entirely depends on the context how you should pronounce it. Here are 10 situations where you can use "nå" in Danish. Click on the audio files to hear the correct pronunciation.
1. Surprise or disappointment
Use "nå" when you are surprised by something.For example, "Nå! Er du her også?" (Are you here too?) or "Nå, går han også til dansk?" (Does he also study Danish?).
It could also be that you are very interested in hearing what someone says and want to hear more: "Nå, hvad skete der så?" (What happened then?)
Maybe you’re surprised in a bad way, maybe you’re disappointed? Maybe it didn’t live up to your expectations? You can use "nå" in this case as well:
"Nå, er det allerede slut?" (Is it already over?).
Pronunciation
Nå! - short and a bit sharp
Phonetic: /nɔ!/
Listen to the pronunciation
2. Stating or confirming
When you want to show that you have understood or accepted something, start your sentence with "nå."For example, "Nå, det vidste jeg ikke" (I didn't know that) or "Nåårh... nu forstår jeg! (Now I understand!) or "Nå, det er derfor!" (That’s why!).
Pronunciation
Nå … soft and perhaps a bit reflective or longer: nåårh
Phonetic: /nɔː/
Listen to the pronunciation
3. Skepticism or disbelief
Are you skeptical about something that has been said? Do you doubt that it is true? Then you should use "nå."If your friend says “It will probably be sunny tomorrow,” and you’ve seen that the forecast predicts rain, you can say: “Nåå, tror du det?" (Do you think so?) or "Nååå? Er det virkelig rigtigt?" (Is that really true?)
Pronunciation
Nååå! – long and with a skeptical tone
Phonetic: /nɔːː?/
Listen to the pronunciation
4. Resignation
Life isn’t always easy, and we can’t always get what we want. Sometimes, we have to accept and resign ourselves, even if we don’t agree. Here, you should also use "nå."For example, you might say:
“Nå, så må vi jo leve med det." (Then we’ll just have to live with it.)
“Nå, det er der jo ikke noget at gøre ved.” (There’s nothing that can be done about it.)
“Nå, hvis du siger det, så må det være sådan." (If you say so, then it must be that way.)
Pronunciation
Nå … soft and resigned
Phonetic: /nɔː/
Listen to the pronunciation
5. Disagreement
If there’s something you don’t agree with your conversation partner on, or if you have a different perspective on the matter, you can start your sentence with "nå":“Nå, jeg ser det lidt anderledes." (I see it a bit differently.)
“Nå, det synes jeg nu ikke!" (I don't think so!)
Pronunciation
Nå … a bit long and soft with an undertone of disagreement, or – if you’re not being entirely diplomatic – you can pronounce it sharply and briefly: Nå!
Phonetic: /nɔː …/ or the sharp version: /nɔ!/
Listen to the pronunciation
6. Boredom or lack of interest
Are you listening to someone talking about something really boring? Something that doesn’t interest you at all? Then you can use a short “Nå” to signal that you are bored:"Nå, og hvad så?!" (So what?!)
“Nå, er det virkelig så interessant?" (Is it really that interesting?)
Pronunciation
Nååå … short and snappy
Phonetic: /nɔ …/
Listen to the pronunciation
7. Starting a question or a sentence
If you need to begin a sentence or a question, and if you’re curious, it’s a good idea to say "nå" as the first word before you continue:“Nå, hvordan gik det?" (How did it go?)
“Nå, Luigi, går det godt med at lære dansk?" (Luigi, is it going well with learning Danish?)
Pronunciation
Nå … lightly curious with a pause after “nå”
Phonetic: /nɔ/
Listen to the pronunciation
8. Wrapping up a conversation
If you’ve had a good conversation and need to move on, perhaps just to another topic, you can conclude by using "nå":“Nå, men nu må jeg videre." (Well I must get going now.)
“Nå, men jeg skal hjem nu." (I need to head home now.)
“Nå, vi ses i morgen." (See you tomorrow.)
You can also finish a presentation or speech with "nå":
“Nå. Det var alt, hvad jeg havde at sige." (That’s all I had to say.)
Pronunciation
Nå … short with a concluding tone
Phonetic: /nɔ/
Listen to the pronunciation
9. Changing the subject
If you feel you’ve talked enough about a topic, you can signal that you’d like to switch topics by starting your sentence with "nå":“Nå, lad os tale om noget andet." (Let’s talk about something else.)
“Nå, nok om det." (Enough about that.)
Pronunciation
Nå … short and neutral with a pause after “nå”
Phonetic: /nɔ/
Listen to the pronunciation
10. Changing plans
Have you made plans with someone, but you need to change them? Then it’s helpful to start with "nå":
“Nå, vi skal ikke til stranden alligevel." (We’re not going to the beach after all.)
Pronunciation
Nå … short and perhaps with a tone of surprise
Phonetic: /nɔ!/
Listen to the pronunciation
Have fun with 'nå'!
Now you have learnt - and listened to - 10 situations where Danes would typically say "nå." Try to pay attention to it when you listen to Danes. You will soon discover that, of course, there are even more ways to use - and pronounce - it.
We're keeping our fingers crossed that you'll get to use "nå"!
