Significado
Something is not economically or logically sound.
Contexto cultural
Danes value 'sund fornuft' (common sense) above almost everything else. This phrase is the ultimate expression of that value. In Greenland, logistics are so expensive that this phrase is used constantly regarding shipping and travel. In Danish companies, 'flat hierarchy' means anyone can say 'det kan ikke betale sig' to a boss if they have the data to prove it. Modern Danes use this phrase when discussing recycling and green energy, often debating if certain green initiatives 'betaler sig' for the environment.
The 'Godt' Trick
Add 'godt' to make it positive: 'Det kan godt betale sig.' This makes you sound very fluent.
Don't forget 'sig'
Without 'sig', you are just saying 'It cannot pay,' which sounds like the object is broke!
Significado
Something is not economically or logically sound.
The 'Godt' Trick
Add 'godt' to make it positive: 'Det kan godt betale sig.' This makes you sound very fluent.
Don't forget 'sig'
Without 'sig', you are just saying 'It cannot pay,' which sounds like the object is broke!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing words to say 'It's not worth it to buy a new car.'
Det ___ ikke ___ sig at købe en ny bil.
The standard phrase is 'kan ikke betale sig'.
Which sentence is most natural for a Dane to say when a repair is too expensive?
Din telefon er gammel. Reparationen koster 1000 kr.
This is the idiomatic way to express that the cost outweighs the benefit.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi køre til Sverige for at købe slik? B: Nej, broen koster 400 kr. ___
B is explaining that the cost of the bridge makes the trip logically unsound.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You are deciding whether to walk 5 minutes or wait 20 minutes for a bus.
Waiting 20 minutes for a 5-minute walk is a waste of time.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosDet ___ ikke ___ sig at købe en ny bil.
The standard phrase is 'kan ikke betale sig'.
Din telefon er gammel. Reparationen koster 1000 kr.
This is the idiomatic way to express that the cost outweighs the benefit.
A: Skal vi køre til Sverige for at købe slik? B: Nej, broen koster 400 kr. ___
B is explaining that the cost of the bridge makes the trip logically unsound.
You are deciding whether to walk 5 minutes or wait 20 minutes for a bus.
Waiting 20 minutes for a 5-minute walk is a waste of time.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
3 preguntasNo, you don't say 'Han kan ikke betale sig.' You use it for actions or things.
Not usually, but it is very direct. In a social setting, it might sound a bit cold.
'Svare sig' is more formal and slightly old-fashioned. 'Betale sig' is the standard modern choice.
Frases relacionadas
Det er spild af tid
similarIt's a waste of time
Det er umagen værd
contrastIt is worth the effort
At kaste penge ud af vinduet
similarTo throw money out the window
