Bedeutung
Indicating something is none of my concern.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Danes value 'privatlivets fred' (privacy). It is often considered rude to ask personal questions about salary or family problems unless you are very close friends. The 'Law of Jante' influences social behavior, promoting the idea that you shouldn't think you are more important than others or interfere in their lives unnecessarily. Danish workplaces are flat but roles are specific. Saying 'Det er ikke mit bord' is a common and accepted way to define professional boundaries without being seen as lazy. When someone uses this phrase, it is a clear signal to stop talking about that topic. Pushing further is seen as a major social error.
Softening the blow
Add 'egentlig' (actually) to make it sound more polite: 'Det er egentlig ikke min sag.'
Tone matters
If you say it too fast or loudly, it can sound like you are telling the other person to shut up.
Bedeutung
Indicating something is none of my concern.
Softening the blow
Add 'egentlig' (actually) to make it sound more polite: 'Det er egentlig ikke min sag.'
Tone matters
If you say it too fast or loudly, it can sound like you are telling the other person to shut up.
Workplace alternative
Use 'Det er ikke mit bord' in meetings to sound more professional and less personal.
Respect the boundary
If a Dane says this to you, do not ask 'Why not?'. Just change the subject.
Teste dich selbst
Which phrase is the most natural way to say 'It's not my business' in a neutral Danish conversation?
A: Det er ikke min forretning. B: Det er ikke min sag. C: Det er ikke min ting.
'Sag' is the correct word for 'business/concern' in this idiom. 'Forretning' means a shop, and 'ting' means a physical object or hobby.
Fill in the missing possessive pronoun. (Remember 'sag' is common gender).
Jeg vil ikke blande mig. Det er ikke ______ sag.
Because 'sag' is 'en sag' (common gender), we use 'min'.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
1. Det er ikke mit bord. 2. Det er ikke min sag. 3. Pas dig selv!
'Mit bord' is for work, 'Min sag' is for general use, and 'Pas dig selv' is a direct command.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate response.
Lise: 'Hvorfor græder naboen?' Dig: 'Jeg ved det ikke, ______.'
This correctly expresses that you don't know and it's not your concern.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Sag vs. Bord vs. Ting
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenA: Det er ikke min forretning. B: Det er ikke min sag. C: Det er ikke min ting.
'Sag' is the correct word for 'business/concern' in this idiom. 'Forretning' means a shop, and 'ting' means a physical object or hobby.
Jeg vil ikke blande mig. Det er ikke ______ sag.
Because 'sag' is 'en sag' (common gender), we use 'min'.
1. Det er ikke mit bord. 2. Det er ikke min sag. 3. Pas dig selv!
'Mit bord' is for work, 'Min sag' is for general use, and 'Pas dig selv' is a direct command.
Lise: 'Hvorfor græder naboen?' Dig: 'Jeg ved det ikke, ______.'
This correctly expresses that you don't know and it's not your concern.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenUsually no. It is a neutral way to set a boundary. However, tone and context are key.
Yes, but 'Det er ikke mit bord' is often better if you are talking about work tasks.
'Sag' is a matter or concern; 'ting' is a physical object or a hobby.
It's a metaphor for one's desk or area of responsibility at work.
You can say 'Pas dig selv', but be careful as it is quite aggressive.
It is common gender (en sag), so you must use 'min sag'.
No, that sounds like 'Danglish' (Danish-English mix) and is not natural.
It's a more informal, slightly ruder version of 'It's not my business'.
When a friend is asking for emotional support or in an emergency.
No, it can also mean 'case', 'matter', or 'item'.
Yes, 'Det er ikke mine sager', but it's rarely used in this idiomatic sense.
'Det er ikke din sag.' Use with caution!
Verwandte Redewendungen
Det kommer ikke mig ved
synonymThat doesn't concern me.
Det er ikke mit bord
specialized formIt's not my table.
Det rager ikke mig
synonymIt doesn't concern me.
Bland dig udenom
contrastStay out of it.
Pas dig selv
similarMind your own business.
