A1 Idiom Neutral

at holde øje med

to keep an eye on

Significado

Monitoring or watching something carefully.

🌍

Contexto cultural

The 'Baby in the Stroller' phenomenon. Danes trust the public space so much that they 'holder øje med' strollers from inside a café window. It's a sign of high social cohesion. Neighborly help (Nabohjælp). There is an official app and sign system where neighbors agree to 'holde øje med' each other's houses to prevent crime. Flat hierarchy. A boss might say they are 'holding an eye' on a project, which is often meant as support rather than micromanagement. Even during hygge, someone 'holder øje med stearinlysene' (keeps an eye on the candles) to ensure safety while enjoying the atmosphere.

💡

The 'With' Rule

Always remember that in Danish, you watch 'with' (med) your eye, not 'on' it. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.

🎯

Add 'lige'

Adding 'lige' (just) makes the request sound much more natural and polite: 'Vil du **lige** holde øje med...'

Significado

Monitoring or watching something carefully.

💡

The 'With' Rule

Always remember that in Danish, you watch 'with' (med) your eye, not 'on' it. This is the #1 mistake for English speakers.

🎯

Add 'lige'

Adding 'lige' (just) makes the request sound much more natural and polite: 'Vil du **lige** holde øje med...'

⚠️

Singular Only

Never say 'øjne' (eyes). Even if you have two eyes, you only 'hold eye' in this idiom.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.

Kan du holde ____ ____ min hund?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: øje med

The correct form is always 'øje' (singular) followed by 'med'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Select the correct past tense usage:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Jeg holdt øje med kagen i går.

The past tense of 'holde' is 'holdt'. 'Holdte' is a common error even among some natives, but 'holdt' is the standard.

Match the phrase variation to the situation.

Which phrase fits a police officer watching a suspect?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: at holde skarpt øje med

'Skarpt øje' (sharp eye) implies professional or intense surveillance.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 'Jeg går lige i baren.' B: 'Okay, jeg ____ ____ ____ dine ting.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: holder øje med

In a social setting like a bar, 'holder øje med' is the standard way to offer to watch someone's belongings.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Kan du holde ____ ____ min hund?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: øje med

The correct form is always 'øje' (singular) followed by 'med'.

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Choose A2

Select the correct past tense usage:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Jeg holdt øje med kagen i går.

The past tense of 'holde' is 'holdt'. 'Holdte' is a common error even among some natives, but 'holdt' is the standard.

Match the phrase variation to the situation. situation_matching B1

Which phrase fits a police officer watching a suspect?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: at holde skarpt øje med

'Skarpt øje' (sharp eye) implies professional or intense surveillance.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: 'Jeg går lige i baren.' B: 'Okay, jeg ____ ____ ____ dine ting.'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: holder øje med

In a social setting like a bar, 'holder øje med' is the standard way to offer to watch someone's belongings.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, that sounds like a direct translation from English. In Danish, we don't use the article 'et'. Just say 'holde øje med'.

Yes, but context matters. 'Jeg holder øje med dig' can be protective (like a parent) or suspicious (like a boss).

'Overvåge' is more technical or formal (like CCTV), while 'holde øje med' is more personal and social.

Use the adverb 'nøje' or 'godt'. For example: 'Jeg holder nøje øje med situationen.'

No, for movies use 'se' or 'kigge på'. 'Holde øje med' implies you are waiting for something or protecting something.

Yes, very often. 'Vi holder øje med konkurrenterne' (We are keeping an eye on the competitors).

The past tense is 'holdt øje med'. Example: 'I går holdt jeg øje med naboens kat.'

Mostly, yes. 'At se efter' is a close synonym, but 'holde øje med' is more common for short-term monitoring.

Yes! 'Jeg holder øje med prisen på den nye iPhone.'

It is neutral. You can use it with your friends, your boss, or a stranger.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

at se efter

similar

to look after / check on

🔗

at overvåge

specialized form

to monitor/surveil

🔗

at passe på

similar

to take care of / watch out for

🔗

at holde udkig

specialized form

to keep a lookout

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