træffe

Træffe is a Danish verb with several related meanings, primarily concerning encountering, meeting, or hitting something or someone. Its most common usage translates to "to meet" or "to encounter." For example, one might say "Jeg vil gerne træffe en gammel ven" which means "I would like to meet an old friend." This can refer to arranging a meeting or a chance encounter.

Beyond social meetings, træffe can also signify hitting or striking a target. In a sporting context, such as archery or shooting, a successful shot would be described as træffe. For instance, "Pilene traf plet" translates to "The arrows hit the mark." This sense of hitting extends to physical impact, like a ball hitting a wall.

Another nuance of træffe is the act of making a decision or choice. "At træffe en beslutning" means "to make a decision." This implies a process of consideration leading to a definitive outcome. Similarly, one might "træffe et valg" meaning "to make a choice."

The verb is relatively common in everyday Danish and its precise meaning is usually clear from the surrounding context. It is an irregular verb, with past tense forms like "traf" and past participle "truffet." Understanding these various applications is key to comprehending Danish communication.