Meaning of være | Babel Free

Definitions

1. to be (expresses identity between the subject and a predicative)
   copulative
2. to be, exist (with an adverbial phrase and/or the dummy subject der)
   intransitive
3. to be (in cleft sentences emphasizing a noun phrase, with the dummy subject det and a relative clause)
   intransitive
4. to be (passive perfect tense with the past participle)
   auxiliary
5. to have (active perfect tense with the past participle of certain intransitive verbs)
   auxiliary

Equivalents

Examples

“Kierkegaard er en berømt filosof.”

Kierkegaard is a famous philosopher.

“På kontoret var (der) 15 ansatte.”

There were 15 employees in the office.

“Det er Anders der har spist kagen.”

It was Anders who ate the cake.

“Huset er bygget af træ.”

The house is built from wood.

“Pigen er løbet væk.”

The girl has run away.

CEFR level