forsøge

Forsøge is a Danish verb meaning to attempt, to try, or to endeavour to achieve something. It denotes making an effort toward a goal, often when success is not guaranteed. The usual construction is at + infinitive, for example, Jeg vil forsøge at løse opgaven. It can also take a direct object in some contexts, as in at forsøge en løsning (to attempt a solution).

Conjugation and uses: Infinitive form is at forsøge. Present tense is forsøger. Past tense (preterite) is forsøgte. Supine is forsøgt. The perfect tense is har forsøgt, as in Jeg har forsøgt at forklare det. The future can be expressed with vil forsøge, as in Jeg vil forsøge igen. The imperative form is forsøg, used to give a direct command, for example, Forsøg igen.

Usage notes: Forsøge emphasizes deliberate effort and the prospect of progress, rather than mere testing or trial. It is commonly used in formal and semi-formal registers. Prøve is a related verb with broader meanings, including testing or trying something more experimentally; forsøge often implies a sustained effort toward a specific outcome.

Etymology and related forms: Forsøge is derived from the root søge (to seek) with the prefix for-, a common Danish formation that adds a sense of effort or forward movement. The word ultimately traces back to Old Danish and related North Germanic languages. See også: søge.