Bedeutung
Not using time effectively.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Punctuality is a core value. Arriving 5 minutes late is often seen as 'at spilde andres tid' (wasting others' time). The phrase 'Time is money' is the equivalent mindset. In Denmark, it's more 'Time is life/respect'. There is a concept called 'Mottainai' which expresses regret at waste. Wasting time is seen through this lens of spiritual regret. Time is often viewed more fluidly. What a Dane calls 'spild af tid' (waiting for a coffee), a Greek or Italian might call 'living'.
Use the noun for impact
Saying 'Det er spild af tid!' is much more common as a reaction than the full sentence 'Jeg spilder min tid'.
Don't be too direct
Telling a Dane 'Du spilder min tid' is quite aggressive. Use it only if you are truly annoyed.
Bedeutung
Not using time effectively.
Use the noun for impact
Saying 'Det er spild af tid!' is much more common as a reaction than the full sentence 'Jeg spilder min tid'.
Don't be too direct
Telling a Dane 'Du spilder min tid' is quite aggressive. Use it only if you are truly annoyed.
The 'på' preposition
Always use 'på' to say what you are wasting time on. 'Jeg spilder tiden PÅ computeren'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word in the present tense.
Jeg ______ tiden på min telefon. (spilde)
The present tense of 'at spilde' is 'spilder'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'It is a waste of time'?
The noun phrase 'spild af tid' does not use an article and uses the indefinite 'tid'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi se den nye film? B: Nej, den er dårlig. Lad os ikke ______.
In this context, watching a bad movie is considered wasting time.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You have been waiting for a friend for 30 minutes and you are angry.
This expresses the frustration of someone else causing you to lose time.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Spilde vs. Bruge
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJeg ______ tiden på min telefon. (spilde)
The present tense of 'at spilde' is 'spilder'.
How do you say 'It is a waste of time'?
The noun phrase 'spild af tid' does not use an article and uses the indefinite 'tid'.
A: Skal vi se den nye film? B: Nej, den er dårlig. Lad os ikke ______.
In this context, watching a bad movie is considered wasting time.
You have been waiting for a friend for 30 minutes and you are angry.
This expresses the frustration of someone else causing you to lose time.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt sounds like 'broken' Danish. Always use 'tiden' or 'spild af tid'.
Yes, exactly the same meaning and usage.
Yes! 'At spilde penge' is also very common.
It can be. It's a direct criticism of an activity.
The opposite would be 'at bruge tiden fornuftigt' (to use time sensibly).
'Stop med at spilde min tid' or 'Lad være med at spilde min tid'.
You can say 'tidsspilde' or call something a 'tidsrøver'.
Yes, to describe how you avoid inefficiency. 'Jeg kan ikke lide at spilde tiden'.
No, it also means to spill a drink. 'Jeg spildte kaffe'.
Yes, many Danish pop songs use it to talk about lost love.
Verwandte Redewendungen
spild af tid
specialized formA waste of time (noun form)
at slå tiden ihjel
similarTo kill time
at bruge tid
contrastTo spend/use time
at ødsle med tiden
synonymTo squander time
tidsspilde
synonymWaste of time (compound noun)
