"The Dane is coming!"
Translation:Dansken kommer!
February 15, 2015
22 CommentsThis discussion is locked.
This discussion is locked.
Claqing
1746
In some other post on this expression they said it probably evolved over time from the many wars fought between Denmark and Sweden. Where the expression the "The Danes are coming" would have some serious meaning.
"Danska"=the danish language, "dansk"= a danish person. The definite form of "danska" is "danskan" and the definite form of "dansk" is "dansken". Yes "a dane" is "en dansk", but you are refering to one person only, while "dansken" in this sentence is refering to the danes as a nation. So you can say "en dansk kommer" but it's not as intimidating. :)
Yama842603
356
Is it singular because the idiom just evolved like this or is there a particular reason for it not to be plural?