nøste

Næste is a Danish word that functions as an adjective and an adverb meaning “the next” or “following.” It is used to indicate order in a sequence or proximity in time, space, or importance. Common phrases include næste måned (next month), næste uge (next week), and næste gang (the next time). When referring to a specific item in a sequence, Danish often uses den næste or det næste in combination with a noun, as in den næste person (the next person) or det næste kapitel (the next chapter).

Etymology and cognates: næste derives from Old Norse næsti, and shares cognates with other North Germanic languages. In Swedish the equivalent is nästa, and in Norwegian Bokmål the form is neste. Differences in spelling reflect each language’s historical vowel changes: Danish retains the æ, while Norwegian and Swedish show related but distinct vowels.

Usage notes: In Danish, næste typically precedes a noun, forming phrases that denote the following item in a sequence. It also appears in time expressions and general references to the upcoming instance of an event, such as næste gang. In written and spoken Danish, individual words are plain and the form næste is widely understood in both formal and informal contexts. In user interfaces and signage, Næste is a common label on buttons that advance to the following page or step.

Examples:

- Næste måned vil projektet starte. (The next month the project will start.)

- Det næste kapitel i historien udkommer i morgen. (The next chapter in the story will be published tomorrow.)

- Næste gang håber jeg at være der. (Next time I hope to be there.)

Overall, næste is a standard Danish term for indicating succession and imminence, with closely related forms in neighboring Scandinavian languages.