Bedeutung
Time is a valuable resource.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Danes value punctuality highly. If you are late for a meeting, you are literally 'wasting money' in their eyes. However, they also value 'fritid' (free time), so they work hard to leave early. The phrase is the cornerstone of American business culture, emphasizing constant productivity and the idea that every second has a dollar value. Similar to Denmark, 'Zeit ist Geld' is a guiding principle in German engineering and manufacturing, where efficiency is a point of national pride. In Japan, time is seen as a collective resource. Wasting your own time is one thing, but wasting others' time is a major social offense.
Keep it simple
Don't try to add articles or adjectives. The power of this phrase is in its brevity.
Don't be rude
Avoid using this with friends who are trying to relax. It can sound very bossy.
Bedeutung
Time is a valuable resource.
Keep it simple
Don't try to add articles or adjectives. The power of this phrase is in its brevity.
Don't be rude
Avoid using this with friends who are trying to relax. It can sound very bossy.
Use it in emails
It's a great way to politely ask for a quick reply in a business email.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words for the proverb.
Tid ___ penge.
The verb 'at være' (to be) in the present tense is 'er'.
Which situation is best for using 'Tid er penge'?
Choose the correct context:
'Tid er penge' is most appropriate in professional or urgent settings.
Match the Danish words to their English meanings.
Match the following:
Basic vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
Chef: 'Vi skal være færdige nu!' Medarbejder: 'Hvorfor?' Chef: 'Fordi ___ ___ ___.'
The boss is emphasizing urgency and value.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenTid ___ penge.
The verb 'at være' (to be) in the present tense is 'er'.
Choose the correct context:
'Tid er penge' is most appropriate in professional or urgent settings.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Basic vocabulary matching.
Chef: 'Vi skal være færdige nu!' Medarbejder: 'Hvorfor?' Chef: 'Fordi ___ ___ ___.'
The boss is emphasizing urgency and value.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, very much so! It's one of the most common proverbs in Danish, especially in work contexts.
It's grammatically possible, but it sounds wrong to a native speaker. Stick to the article-free version.
Usually, yes. It's better if the boss says it to the employees. If you say it to your boss, it might sound like you're complaining about them wasting your time.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but the concept of 'Hygge' or 'Tag dig god tid' (Take your time) represents the opposite philosophy.
Yes, but it represents 'value' or 'opportunity' in a broader sense.
In Danish, 'penge' is a plural noun (like 'clothes' in English). You cannot have 'en penge'.
Only if you are being very ironic or joking. Otherwise, it's quite unromantic!
Not a direct one, but people might say 'Tid er gryn' (Gryn is slang for money/grains).
It's a soft 'd'. Put your tongue behind your lower teeth and make a sound like the 'th' in 'this'.
Yes, it often appears in realistic fiction or plays about the middle class, like those by Henrik Ibsen or Ludvig Holberg (though Holberg is earlier).
Verwandte Redewendungen
Tid er guld
similarTime is gold
Skynd dig langsomt
contrastHurry slowly (Festina Lente)
Tiden læger alle sår
builds onTime heals all wounds
At spilde tiden
specialized formTo waste time
