Bedeutung
Stating it is not serious
Kultureller Hintergrund
Danish irony is a core part of social life. 'Det er en joke' is often used to bridge the gap between a sarcastic comment and the listener's reaction. Danish workplaces are very flat. You can often say 'Det er en joke' about a new rule, even to a manager, as long as the tone is right. Younger Danes use 'joke' almost exclusively over 'vittighed', reflecting the heavy influence of English-language social media. Danes are very price-conscious. Using this phrase to describe high prices is a national pastime.
The 'Bare' trick
Add 'bare' (just) to make it sound more natural: 'Det er bare en joke.'
Don't overdo it
If you say 'det er en joke' after everything, people might think you are insincere.
Bedeutung
Stating it is not serious
The 'Bare' trick
Add 'bare' (just) to make it sound more natural: 'Det er bare en joke.'
Don't overdo it
If you say 'det er en joke' after everything, people might think you are insincere.
Deadpan delivery
Danes often say this with a completely flat expression. Watch their eyes for a twinkle!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word.
Bare rolig, det er en ___.
In this context of clarifying intent, 'joke' is the most natural fit.
Which sentence is correct?
You see a very expensive cup of coffee. What do you say?
This is the standard way to express disbelief at a price.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg har vundet en million! B: Virkelig?! A: Nej, ___.
The speaker is revealing that they were teasing.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: The bus is 30 minutes late.
Used here to express frustration with the service.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Joke vs. Vittighed
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenBare rolig, det er en ___.
In this context of clarifying intent, 'joke' is the most natural fit.
You see a very expensive cup of coffee. What do you say?
This is the standard way to express disbelief at a price.
A: Jeg har vundet en million! B: Virkelig?! A: Nej, ___.
The speaker is revealing that they were teasing.
Situation: The bus is 30 minutes late.
Used here to express frustration with the service.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes, it is a widely accepted loanword used by all age groups.
No, 'joke' is common gender, so it must be 'en joke'.
'Vittighed' is a story with a punchline. 'Joke' is used for teasing or calling a situation ridiculous.
It depends on the tone. It can be a friendly clarification or a sharp criticism of a situation.
You can say 'Jeg joker' or 'Jeg laver sjov'.
Yes, if the atmosphere is casual, but avoid it in high-stakes negotiations.
It means 'It must be a joke' and expresses high disbelief.
Young people might say 'Det er helt til grin' or 'Jeg troller'.
Yes, very often! 😂, 😉, and 😜 are common.
Yes, but it is very insulting. It means they are pathetic.
It's a mix between the English 'j' and a Danish 'y'.
English is seen as informal and modern, which fits the 'joke' concept better than the older 'vittighed'.
Yes, that is the past tense: 'It was a joke'.
'Det er ramme alvor' (It is dead serious).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Jeg laver sjov
synonymI'm making fun / I'm joking
Det er for sjov
similarIt is for fun
At tage gas på nogen
idiomTo pull someone's leg
En vittighed
specialized formA joke (story)
Det er helt til grin
builds onIt's completely ridiculous
