Copenhagen

Meanings

1. 1proper nounproper

   The capital and largest city of Denmark, a port on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand.

   Grammar: Used without an article: we flew to Copenhagen, not to the Copenhagen.

   Patterns

   • fly to Copenhagen
   • live in Copenhagen
   • travel from Copenhagen

   We spent a long weekend in Copenhagen cycling along the canals.

   Copenhagen is famous for its modern design and its colorful harbor.

   Her flight to Copenhagen leaves at six in the morning.

2. 2proper nounproperfigurative

   The Danish government or the city as a symbol of Denmark's political and cultural life, as in news reports.

   Grammar: Used like Washington or Paris to stand for a government: Copenhagen announced a new law.

   Patterns

   • Copenhagen announced something

   Copenhagen announced new rules for cyclists on Monday.

   Officials in Copenhagen met with their European counterparts.

   The decision was criticized in Copenhagen and abroad.

Common combinations

fly to Copenhagen

They fly to Copenhagen twice a year to see family.

live in Copenhagen

My cousin has lived in Copenhagen for ten years.

the streets of Copenhagen

The streets of Copenhagen are full of bicycles.

Copenhagen airport

Copenhagen airport connects many European cities.

visit Copenhagen

Many tourists visit Copenhagen in the summer.

Synonyms and how they differ

the Danish capital

This phrase is a descriptive way to avoid repeating the name in writing and sounds more formal than Copenhagen.

Denmark

Denmark is the whole country, while Copenhagen is only its capital city, though news reports sometimes use the city to stand for the government.

Word family

Copenhageners noun

people who live in Copenhagen

Danish adjective

relating to Denmark

Dane noun

a person from Denmark

Commonly confused: Copenhagen or Stockholm?

Practice

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