spørgsmål

Spørgsmål is a Danish noun meaning a sentence or utterance that seeks information. In Danish, as in other languages, a question can appear in everyday conversation, in writing, or in exams. The term is used to refer both to the form of a sentence and to the content that requests information.

Etymology: Spørgsmål is a compound built from the verb spørge, “to ask,” and an older element meaning “question” or “matter.” The word reflects the function of asking for information and has cognates in related North Germanic languages. Its usage has remained stable across modern Danish.

Forms and structure: Danish questions are commonly divided into yes‑no questions and information questions. Yes‑no questions typically involve inversion of subject and finite verb (Er du hjemme?). Information questions begin with question words such as hvad (what), hvem (who), hvor (where), hvornår (when), hvorfor (why), hvordan (how), and hvilken (which). Indirect questions occur inside statements, for example: Jeg vil høre, hvad du siger.

Punctuation and usage: Direct questions end with a question mark, the spørgsmålstegn, in Danish. Spoken language often relies on rising intonation to signal a question. Spørgsmål are central in education, journalism, surveys, and user interfaces, where they structure inquiry and data collection, as well as in everyday communication.

See also: Interrogative pronouns, question mark, inquiry.