Bedeutung
Common way to say something is bad.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Jutland, 'træls' is more than a word; it's a lifestyle. It represents the regional pride in being understated and resilient. Copenhageners used to look down on the word as 'farmer talk', but now it's trendy and used by everyone. Younger Danes often pair 'træls' with 'nederen' or use it ironically to describe things that are actually quite bad. Using 'træls' about a task is a way to bond with colleagues without sounding like you're genuinely complaining about the job itself.
The Empathy Hack
If you don't know what to say when a Dane complains, just say 'Ej, hvor træls'. It works 99% of the time.
Watch your 'T's
Don't say 'Jeg er træls' when you mean 'I am tired'. You will accidentally call yourself annoying!
Bedeutung
Common way to say something is bad.
The Empathy Hack
If you don't know what to say when a Dane complains, just say 'Ej, hvor træls'. It works 99% of the time.
Watch your 'T's
Don't say 'Jeg er træls' when you mean 'I am tired'. You will accidentally call yourself annoying!
The Jutlandic Nod
When saying 'det er træls', a slight, slow nod of the head adds 100% more authenticity.
Texting
In texts, you can just write 'træls...' to express disappointment. It's very common.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the most natural response to: 'Jeg har mistet min pung!' (I have lost my wallet!)
A friend tells you they lost their wallet. What do you say?
'Ej, hvor træls!' expresses the appropriate level of empathy for a frustrating situation.
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
Det er virkelig ______, at det regner, når vi skal på stranden.
The context of rain ruining a beach trip requires a word for 'annoying' or 'a bummer'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which situation fits 'Han er bare rigtig træls for tiden'?
'Træls' can describe a person's behavior as annoying or difficult.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Min computer er gået i stykker. B: ______.
A broken computer is a classic 'træls' situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to say 'Det er træls'
Weather
- • Rain on a bike ride
- • Too much wind
- • Grey skies
Tech
- • Low battery
- • No Wi-Fi
- • Broken screen
Social
- • Ghosted
- • Late friend
- • Awkward talk
Træls vs. Træt
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenA friend tells you they lost their wallet. What do you say?
'Ej, hvor træls!' expresses the appropriate level of empathy for a frustrating situation.
Det er virkelig ______, at det regner, når vi skal på stranden.
The context of rain ruining a beach trip requires a word for 'annoying' or 'a bummer'.
Which situation fits 'Han er bare rigtig træls for tiden'?
'Træls' can describe a person's behavior as annoying or difficult.
A: Min computer er gået i stykker. B: ______.
A broken computer is a classic 'træls' situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNo, it is not a swear word. It is informal, but you can use it in front of children or your grandmother without any problem.
It's better to avoid it. Use 'udfordrende' (challenging) or 'uhensigtsmæssigt' (inappropriate) to sound more professional.
No, it is used all over Denmark today, though it still has a 'Jutlandic' soul.
'Irriterende' is more clinical and standard. 'Træls' is more emotional, informal, and covers a wider range of 'bummer' situations.
You can say 'rigtig træls', 'virkelig træls', or the more vulgar 'pisse træls'.
Yes, 'Han er træls' means 'He is annoying/difficult'.
That is the older, grammatically 'correct' neuter form, but it is rarely used in modern spoken Danish.
'Nederen' is more slangy and specifically means 'a downer'. 'Træls' is more versatile.
Yes, but it's less common now. Usually, it refers to the mental annoyance of the hard work.
There isn't one direct opposite, but 'fedt' (cool/great) or 'dejligt' (lovely) are good candidates.
It rhymes with 'pels' (fur) and 'frels' (save/rescue).
Only if you have a very casual relationship. Otherwise, stick to 'irriterende'.
Extremely. You will likely hear it every single day if you live in Denmark.
No, you need a noun after 'en'. For example: 'Det er en træls situation'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Det er irriterende
synonymIt is annoying
Hvor er det nederen
similarHow 'downer' / What a bummer
Surt show
similarSour show / Tough luck
Det er træls for dig
builds onThat's a bummer for you
En træls type
specialized formAn annoying person
