Significado
Confusing one person for another.
Contexto cultural
Danes value privacy and can be reserved. Mistaking a stranger for a friend is considered quite 'pinligt' (embarrassing). Using this phrase quickly and with a smile is the best way to restore the social balance. In the flat hierarchy of Danish offices, admitting you 'tog fejl af' a colleague's idea or character is seen as a sign of strength and honesty, not weakness. The theme of 'skinnet bedrager' (appearances are deceiving) is huge in Danish culture. This phrase is the linguistic tool used to discuss that gap between appearance and reality. With many similar surnames (Jensen, Nielsen, Hansen), taking 'fejl af nogen' on social media is a daily occurrence. It's often handled with humor.
The 'Af' Rule
Always remember 'af'. It's the link between your mistake and the person. Without it, the sentence falls apart.
Don't use 'med'
English speakers love to say 'fejl med', but this is a direct giveaway that you are translating from English. Stick to 'af'!
Significado
Confusing one person for another.
The 'Af' Rule
Always remember 'af'. It's the link between your mistake and the person. Without it, the sentence falls apart.
Don't use 'med'
English speakers love to say 'fejl med', but this is a direct giveaway that you are translating from English. Stick to 'af'!
Use it for Twins
If you meet Danish twins, this phrase is your best friend. 'Jeg tager altid fejl af jer!' is a polite way to handle the confusion.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg tog fejl ___ min nye nabo.
The fixed collocation is 'at tage fejl af nogen'.
Which sentence is in the past tense?
Choose the correct past tense form.
'Tog' is the irregular past tense of 'tage'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Hvorfor vinkede du til den fremmede mand?' B: 'Undskyld, ________.'
'Jeg tog fejl af ham' is the standard way to explain a mistaken identity.
Match the sentence to the situation.
'Tag ikke fejl af hendes stilhed.'
This uses the 'character judgment' sense of the phrase.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosJeg tog fejl ___ min nye nabo.
The fixed collocation is 'at tage fejl af nogen'.
Choose the correct past tense form.
'Tog' is the irregular past tense of 'tage'.
A: 'Hvorfor vinkede du til den fremmede mand?' B: 'Undskyld, ________.'
'Jeg tog fejl af ham' is the standard way to explain a mistaken identity.
'Tag ikke fejl af hendes stilhed.'
This uses the 'character judgment' sense of the phrase.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasYes, but it's less common. You can say 'Jeg tog fejl af bussen', but usually Danes say 'Jeg tog den forkerte bus'.
No, it's actually quite polite as it shows you are admitting your own mistake rather than blaming them for looking like someone else.
'At tage fejl' is the act of being wrong. 'At have uret' is a more formal way of saying 'to be in the wrong' in an argument.
You would say: 'Jeg tog fejl af ham og troede, han var læge.'
Frases relacionadas
at forveksle
synonymto confuse/mix up
at misbedømme
similarto misjudge
at gennemskue nogen
contrastto see through someone
at ramme ved siden af
similarto miss the mark
