A2 Expression Neutral

at lede efter

To look for

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use 'at lede efter' when you are searching for a specific object or person.

  • Means: To search for or look for something specific.
  • Used in: Finding lost keys, shopping for clothes, or locating a friend.
  • Don't confuse: 'At lede' (to lead) vs 'At lede efter' (to search for).
Magnifying glass 🔍 + Person 👤 = Searching for something

Explanation at your level:

Use this to say you want to find something. It is very easy to use.
This is a common phrasal verb used for searching. You use it when you need to find an object or a person in your daily life.
The expression 'at lede efter' is the standard way to express the act of searching. It is versatile, applying to both physical objects and abstract concepts like jobs or solutions, making it essential for intermediate communication.
As an A2-level learner, you will find this expression indispensable. It functions as a phrasal verb where the preposition 'efter' is mandatory. It is distinct from 'at søge', which carries a more formal or administrative connotation, whereas 'at lede efter' is the go-to for everyday, practical searching.
The phrase 'at lede efter' exhibits a clear semantic shift from its etymological roots in 'leading' to its current function as a search operator. In advanced discourse, it is preferred for its natural, idiomatic quality in casual and semi-formal registers, contrasting with the more bureaucratic 'at søge'.
From a cognitive linguistic perspective, 'at lede efter' maps the domain of 'motion' onto the domain of 'search'. The inclusion of the preposition 'efter' functions as a directional marker, grounding the subject's intent toward a target. It is a quintessential example of how Danish uses phrasal constructions to navigate the interplay between physical action and cognitive intent.

Bedeutung

Searching for something.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

Danes value independence; asking for help is fine, but try to find it yourself first.

💡

Don't forget 'efter'

Without it, you are leading, not searching.

Bedeutung

Searching for something.

💡

Don't forget 'efter'

Without it, you are leading, not searching.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the missing word.

Jeg ___ efter mine nøgler.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: leder

The phrase is 'at lede efter'.

🎉 Ergebnis: /1

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

1 Fragen

Yes, 'Jeg leder efter min ven'.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔄

at søge

synonym

to search

Wo du es verwendest

🛒

At the supermarket

Customer: Undskyld, jeg leder efter mælk?

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Leader' (Leder) walking 'After' (efter) someone to find them.

Visual Association

Imagine a detective with a magnifying glass walking behind a trail of footprints.

Rhyme

Leder efter, det er hvad jeg gør, når jeg ikke kan finde det, jeg søger før.

Story

I lost my cat. I walked through the park. I asked a neighbor: 'Jeg leder efter min kat'. They helped me look. We found him under a bench.

Word Web

søgefindekiggeefterledeopspore

Herausforderung

Spend 5 minutes describing 5 things you are currently looking for in your life.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Buscar

Danish requires a preposition.

German high

Suchen nach

Very similar structure.

French moderate

Chercher

No preposition needed.

Japanese moderate

探す (sagasu)

No preposition.

Arabic high

يبحث عن (yabhathu 'an)

Preposition is 'an' instead of 'efter'.

Chinese moderate

寻找 (xúnzhǎo)

No preposition.

Korean moderate

찾다 (chatda)

No preposition.

Portuguese moderate

Procurar

No preposition.

Easily Confused

at lede efter vs. at lede

Without 'efter', it means 'to lead'.

Always add 'efter' for searching.

FAQ (1)

Yes, 'Jeg leder efter min ven'.

War das hilfreich?

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