MåtteMåtte expresses 1) A necessity in the sense: there is no other way out. 2) The only intelligible solution. 3) A permission/prohibition. Måtte is subjective and usually has an element of feeling/resistence: Jeg ville ikke i skole, men min far, sagde jeg skulle, og så måtte jeg gøre det. (This phrase cannot be translated into English without loss of meaning. It would be: I did not want to go to school, but my father said I had to and then I had to.)1. Min cykel var punkteret, så jeg måtte gå. (My bike had a puncture, so I had to walk.) 2. Du må være Clintons bror, I har præcis den samme næse. (You got to be a brother of Clinton, you have got exactly the same nose.) 3. Du må ikke købe alkohol, før du bliver 16. (you are not allowed to buy alkohol until you turn 16.) |
KunneKunne describes 1) ability, 2) possibility, 3) opportunity or 4) skill:1. Døren kan låses. (The door can be locked) 2. Han kan komme når som helst. (He may come any minute) 3. Du kan ringe, når vi kommer hjem. (You can call him, when we get home) 4. Jeg kan svømme. (I can swim) PLEASE NOTICE It is considered quite rude to ask for permission by using kunne, unless the question is a mere formality: Kan jeg låne din blyant et øjeblik? (May I use your pencil for a moment?) |