manden

Manden is the definite singular form of the Danish noun mand, meaning "the man." It is used to refer to a specific man already known from context or previously mentioned. The indefinite form is en mand. Danish nouns have grammatical gender, and mand is a common gender noun. The definite singular form manden is created by adding the suffix -en. For neuter nouns, the typical definite suffix is -et, as in huset.

Etymology: The word mand derives from Old Danish man and from the Proto-Germanic root *mannaz, a common lineage for "man" across Germanic languages. The definite suffix -en is part of the Danish definite article system and is used on singular common gender nouns. The plural form is mænd, meaning "the men."

Usage: Manden functions as a definite reference in sentences such as Jeg så manden, meaning "I saw the man." It is used when the man is known or identifiable from context. When referring to men in general, Danish uses en mand. Possession is formed with the possessive -s: mandens bil = the man's car. The form manden thus marks both definiteness and singular number for common gender nouns.

Related notes: The word mand is cognate with Swedish man and English man. Danish definite forms vary by gender and number, with suffixes attached to the noun rather than a separate definite article in many cases.