Åbnede

Åbnede is the simple past tense form of the Danish verb åbne, meaning to open. It is used to describe an action of opening that has already taken place. For example, Jeg åbnede vinduet i morges, and Døren åbnede sig da solen gled inn.

Grammatical notes: The infinitive is åbne, the present tense is åbner, the simple past tense is åbnede, and the past participle is åbnet. The perfect tense is formed with haver, as in jeg har åbnet døren. Danish verbs do not change for gender or number in the past tense, so åbnede is used with all subjects (jeg, du, han/hun, vi, I, de) in the same form.

Etymology and cognates: Åbne originates in Danish and has cognates in other Germanic languages. Related forms appear in Norwegian and Swedish (åpna/öppna), reflecting a common Germanic root for “open.” The word is historically linked to the broader family of verbs that denote making an opening or access.

Usage context: Åbnede is typically used for completed past actions. In narratives, it often appears to recount events or describe past states. For ongoing or resulting states, Danish normally uses opens in the present or the perfect participle with har or havde. Oppositions with låse/lukke express the opposite action.

Examples: Jeg åbnede døren, og rummet blev lyst. Har du åbnet døren endnu? Hej, jeg åbnede butikken klokken otte.