I'm learning dansk

fire — meaning in English: four

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for four
ødelæggelse
fire
time
tænke
triste
Skip this question   
🎓
Learn Danish for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
Already have an account? Log in
neutral very common
Usage
The word 'fire' is commonly used when discussing numbers in Danish, whether you’re counting objects, telling time, or shopping. For example, at a café, you might hear a native speaker say, 'Jeg vil have fire øl,' meaning 'I want four beers.' It's also frequently used in educational contexts, such as teaching children how to count.
Synonyms & nuances
'Fire' is straightforward and primarily used to denote the number four. Unlike other words for quantities, like 'få' (few), which can imply less precision, 'fire' is definitive and specific. You would choose 'fire' when you need to refer to exactly four of something.
Culture
'Fire' has its roots in Old Norse, and interestingly, it shares similarities with other Germanic languages, such as 'vier' in German and 'four' in English. In Danish culture, numbers play a crucial role in traditions, like the celebration of the number four during specific holidays, reflecting a broader appreciation of numerology in Scandinavian folklore.
FAQ
Q.How do you pronounce 'fire' in Danish?
'Fire' is pronounced like 'fee-rah.' The emphasis is on the first syllable, and the 'r' is rolled slightly, characteristic of Danish pronunciation.
Q.What are some common phrases using 'fire'?
A common phrase is 'fire minutter,' which means 'four minutes.' You might use it when asking how long something will take, such as, 'Hvor lang tid tager det? Fire minutter?'
Q.Is 'fire' used in any specific idiomatic expressions?
'Fire' is not commonly found in idiomatic expressions, but it is essential for basic counting and can be combined with other words to specify groups, like 'fire mennesker' (four people).
Learn danish with Maspeak →
Danish Vocabulary