Significado
Almost remembering a word.
Contexto cultural
Danes often use 'lige' (just) to make the idiom more expressive. It adds a sense of immediacy. The idiom is identical in Swedish (ha det på tungan) and Norwegian (ha det på tungen), reflecting shared linguistic roots. Psychologists call this the 'TOT phenomenon' (Tip of the Tongue). It happens to everyone regardless of language. In meetings, using this phrase is a polite way to ask for a second to think without being interrupted.
Use 'lige'
Always add 'lige' to sound more like a native speaker when you're frustrated.
Definite form
Never say 'min tunge'. It sounds very strange to Danish ears in this context.
Significado
Almost remembering a word.
Use 'lige'
Always add 'lige' to sound more like a native speaker when you're frustrated.
Definite form
Never say 'min tunge'. It sounds very strange to Danish ears in this context.
Body language
Danes often tap their chin or look up when saying this phrase to show they are thinking.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Hvad hedder filmen? Jeg har det lige på _______.
The idiom is 'at have det på tungen'.
Which sentence is correct?
You forgot your friend's phone number.
Danish uses 'har' and the definite 'tungen' without a possessive pronoun.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ved du hvornår bussen kommer? B: Øh, klokken... _______.
B is trying to remember the time, so the idiom for forgetting is appropriate.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are in an exam and you almost remember the answer.
This idiom is used for memory lapses.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to use 'På tungen'
Names
- • Venner
- • Skuespillere
- • Lærere
Words
- • Substantiver
- • Verber
- • Adjektiver
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosHvad hedder filmen? Jeg har det lige på _______.
The idiom is 'at have det på tungen'.
You forgot your friend's phone number.
Danish uses 'har' and the definite 'tungen' without a possessive pronoun.
A: Ved du hvornår bussen kommer? B: Øh, klokken... _______.
B is trying to remember the time, so the idiom for forgetting is appropriate.
You are in an exam and you almost remember the answer.
This idiom is used for memory lapses.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, it is very common for names. 'Jeg har hans navn på tungen.'
Yes, it's a natural way to handle a brief memory lapse without looking unprofessional.
'På tungen' means you are about to remember it. 'I baghovedet' means you know it's there but it's not coming anytime soon.
Not really, the idiom itself is used across all social classes.
Yes, that is also correct and means 'on the tip of my tongue', but it's longer to say.
Yes, 'Jeg har telefonnummeret på tungen.'
Because the tongue is the specific organ used for articulating words.
Use 'det' for general things or 'den' if you are referring to a common gender noun like 'filmen' or 'titlen'.
People sometimes use it to pretend they forgot something they don't want to talk about, but it's usually for genuine forgetting.
Mostly in dialogue or informal emails. You wouldn't see it in a legal document.
Frases relacionadas
at ligge på tungen
similarTo be on the tongue
at holde tungen lige i munden
confusingTo concentrate hard
at tale lige ud af posen
contrastTo speak very directly
at tabe mælet
similarTo lose one's voice/speech
at have noget i baghovedet
builds onTo have something in the back of one's mind
