Significado
Something is okay.
Contexto cultural
Danes value 'ligevægt' (equilibrium). Using 'Det går an' helps maintain a level-headed atmosphere where no one is too excited or too upset. In Jutland, 'Det går an' can actually be a very high compliment. If a Jute says your house 'går an,' they might actually love it. In Danish offices, 'Det går an' is used to avoid 'over-promising.' It sets a realistic, pragmatic tone for projects. The negative 'Det går ikke an' is one of the few ways Danes will openly criticize a stranger's behavior in public.
The 'Jutlandic' Compliment
If you are in western Denmark, use 'Det går an' to sound like a local. It shows you understand the value of not overstating things.
Don't use for people
Saying 'Han går an' about a person can sound a bit cold, as if they are just 'barely acceptable' as a human being.
Significado
Something is okay.
The 'Jutlandic' Compliment
If you are in western Denmark, use 'Det går an' to sound like a local. It shows you understand the value of not overstating things.
Don't use for people
Saying 'Han går an' about a person can sound a bit cold, as if they are just 'barely acceptable' as a human being.
Social Correction
Use 'Det går ikke an' if you need to tell someone they are being rude. It's firm but remains 'proper' Danish.
Ponte a prueba
Which sentence means 'The weather is okay'?
Hvordan er vejret?
'Går an' is the only one that means 'is okay'.
Complete the negative form: 'That won't do!'
Det går ____ an!
'Det går ikke an' is the standard way to say something is unacceptable.
What would a modest Dane say?
A: Er du glad for din nye bil? B: Ja, ____.
In a modest context, 'den går an' is a common, humble response.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You see someone cutting in line at the supermarket.
Cutting in line is socially unacceptable, so you use the negative form.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to say 'Det går an'
Food
- • Average meal
- • Cold coffee
- • Simple snack
Social
- • Casual dress
- • Small talk
- • Arriving on time
Work
- • First draft
- • Basic plan
- • Meeting time
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosHvordan er vejret?
'Går an' is the only one that means 'is okay'.
Det går ____ an!
'Det går ikke an' is the standard way to say something is unacceptable.
A: Er du glad for din nye bil? B: Ja, ____.
In a modest context, 'den går an' is a common, humble response.
You see someone cutting in line at the supermarket.
Cutting in line is socially unacceptable, so you use the negative form.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasSlightly, but it is still very much in use. It sounds more 'established' than 'Det er fint.'
It's better to use it for situations or objects. Using it for a person sounds like a performance review.
The past tense is 'Det gik an.'
Yes, but 'Det går an' feels more 'Danish' and less like an English loanword.
No, you cannot add 'meget' (very) to it. It's a binary state of being acceptable or not.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
You say 'Det går aldrig an.'
Sometimes, in the sense that 'it's possible to do this within the rules.'
'Det kan gå' is slightly more focused on the physical possibility of something working.
Yes, it's perfect for professional but friendly emails.
Frases relacionadas
Det er fint nok
similarIt's fine enough
Det kan gå
synonymIt can go / It'll work
Det dur ikke
contrastIt doesn't work / It's no good
Det spiller
antonymIt's playing / It's perfect
