Hänge

hænge is a verb in the Danish language meaning “to hang” in the sense of suspending something from a point or attaching it so that it hangs freely. It is also used figuratively to describe a state of lingering, remaining, or staying, as in “det hænger ved” (it continues). The present tense is hænger, the past tense hængte, and the past participle hængt. The infinitive form ends in –e, following the regular pattern of Danish weak verbs, though its conjugation shows a mix of weak and strong characteristics due to historical development.

Etymologically, hænge derives from Old Norse hǫngr, which shared the same meaning. The word is cognate with Icelandic hǫng (to hang), Swedish hänga, and the English verb “hang,” reflecting their common Germanic ancestry. In Old Danish the form appeared as “hænga,” later simplifying to the modern spelling.

In contemporary usage, hænge is employed in a variety of contexts: physically hanging objects such as pictures, clothes, or decorations; describing suspended or lingering situations like “høsten hænger over byen” (autumn hangs over the town); and in idiomatic expressions. Common phrases include “hænge ud” (to hang out, spend time casually), “hænge i luften” (to be pending or undecided), and “hænge på noget” (to cling to something).

Grammatically, hænge can be combined with prepositions to form compound verbs and noun derivatives, such as hængning (the act of hanging) and hængsel (a hinge or hanger). The verb also appears in fixed collocations in Danish literature and everyday speech, illustrating its flexibility and frequent occurrence in the language.