Bedeutung
Something is very expensive.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Danes often use this phrase as a way to bond over the high cost of living. It's a socially acceptable way to talk about money without bragging. In the capital, this phrase is used almost daily regarding the housing market and the price of services. Because many goods are flown in, food prices can be very high. Residents might use this phrase when looking at the price of fresh fruit. Even in wealthy companies, there is a culture of 'sparing' (saving). Using this phrase can be a way to argue against an unnecessary expense.
Use with 'jo'
Adding 'jo' (Det koster jo en formue) makes you sound very native. It implies 'as we both can see/as everyone knows'.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'formuer' in this idiom. It is always singular 'en formue'.
Bedeutung
Something is very expensive.
Use with 'jo'
Adding 'jo' (Det koster jo en formue) makes you sound very native. It implies 'as we both can see/as everyone knows'.
Don't pluralize
Never say 'formuer' in this idiom. It is always singular 'en formue'.
The Sarcastic Tone
You can use it sarcastically for cheap things if the context is right, but be careful with your intonation!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Det ______ en formue at købe en ny bil.
The verb 'koste' (to cost) is always used with 'en formue'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say something is very expensive?
Du ser en flot taske til 10.000 kroner. Hvad siger du?
This is the standard idiomatic expression for something very expensive.
Match the Danish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Matching synonyms and translations helps reinforce the meaning.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the idiom.
A: Skal vi tage til New York i sommerferien? B: Nej, flybilletterne ______ ______ ______ lige nu.
The present tense 'koster' is needed here because the tickets are expensive right now.
In which situation would you NOT use 'det koster en formue'?
Choose the incorrect situation:
The phrase is reserved for significant costs, not small everyday purchases.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenDet ______ en formue at købe en ny bil.
The verb 'koste' (to cost) is always used with 'en formue'.
Du ser en flot taske til 10.000 kroner. Hvad siger du?
This is the standard idiomatic expression for something very expensive.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Matching synonyms and translations helps reinforce the meaning.
A: Skal vi tage til New York i sommerferien? B: Nej, flybilletterne ______ ______ ______ lige nu.
The present tense 'koster' is needed here because the tickets are expensive right now.
Choose the incorrect situation:
The phrase is reserved for significant costs, not small everyday purchases.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, you cannot say 'Han koster en formue' unless you are paying for his services (like a consultant or a lawyer).
It's not necessarily rude, but it is a strong statement. It's better to say it to a friend than directly to the shop owner.
'Dyrt' just means expensive. 'En formue' is much more emphatic and hyperbolic.
Yes! 'Det kommer til at koste en formue' (It is going to cost a fortune) is very common.
Yes, it is the standard word for 'fortune' or 'wealth' in both legal and everyday Danish.
99% of the time, yes. Occasionally used for time or energy, but money is the primary context.
Not really, but you can just say 'Det er en formue!' as an exclamation.
Focus on the 'u' sound—it's like the 'oo' in 'boot', followed by a very soft 'eh'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
koster kassen
synonymCosts the till/box.
pebret
similarPeppery/pricey.
spidsen af en jetjager
specialized formThe tip of a fighter jet.
røverkøb
contrastA steal/bargain.
