Significado
Unable to stop oneself from doing something.
Contexto cultural
In Denmark, 'hygge' often involves snacks. Using this phrase is a socially acceptable way to admit you're breaking your diet because the 'hygge' is too good. Danes use this phrase to soften observations. Instead of saying 'You have a stain on your shirt,' they might say 'I can't help noticing...' to sound less aggressive. Self-deprecating humor is huge. Saying 'Jeg kan ikke lade være' about a silly habit makes you more likable and relatable in a Danish social circle. The positive version 'Lad være!' is one of the first commands Danish children learn. It's a firm but standard way to set boundaries.
The 'Med At' Rule
Always remember 'med at' if you follow the phrase with a verb. It's the most common mistake for learners.
Don't translate 'Help'
Never say 'Jeg kan ikke hjælpe det'. It sounds like you are unable to provide assistance to an object.
Significado
Unable to stop oneself from doing something.
The 'Med At' Rule
Always remember 'med at' if you follow the phrase with a verb. It's the most common mistake for learners.
Don't translate 'Help'
Never say 'Jeg kan ikke hjælpe det'. It sounds like you are unable to provide assistance to an object.
Use it for Empathy
Saying 'Jeg kan ikke lade være med at føle med dig' (I can't help but feel for you) is a very native way to show sympathy.
The Imperative
If someone is annoying you, a sharp 'Lad være!' is very effective. It's the 'Stop it!' of the Danish world.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing words to say 'I can't help laughing.'
Jeg kan ikke lade være ______ ______ grine.
The standard construction is 'lade være med at' + infinitive.
Which sentence is correct?
You want to say you couldn't help buying the cake.
Option B uses the correct past tense and the 'med at' construction.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hvorfor spiser du alt slikket? B: Det smager så godt, så ________.
This is the most natural response to a temptation.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You see a very cute baby and you start smiling.
This expresses an involuntary positive reaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosJeg kan ikke lade være ______ ______ grine.
The standard construction is 'lade være med at' + infinitive.
You want to say you couldn't help buying the cake.
Option B uses the correct past tense and the 'med at' construction.
A: Hvorfor spiser du alt slikket? B: Det smager så godt, så ________.
This is the most natural response to a temptation.
Situation: You see a very cute baby and you start smiling.
This expresses an involuntary positive reaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes! If the context is clear (like you're already eating the cake), you don't need to add anything else.
It can be firm. To a child, it's normal. To a boss, it's very rude. Use 'Vil du ikke nok lade være' to be more polite.
'Stoppe' is a general verb for ending an action. 'Lade være' specifically implies refraining from starting or continuing an impulse.
Change 'kan' to 'kunne'. 'Jeg kunne ikke lade være.'
No, but the positive 'Jeg kan lade være' (I can refrain) is much less common than the negative or the imperative.
Usually, you use it with 'med at' + verb. If you want to use a noun, you still need 'med': 'Jeg kan ikke lade være med de kager.'
Yes, but 'dy mig' is slightly more 'fancy' or literary. 'Lade være' is the everyday version.
It's part of the fixed idiom. Literally 'let [it] be'.
No, it's for internal impulses. If a boss forces you, use 'Jeg er nødt til det'.
All the time! It's a very emotional and relatable phrase for lyrics.
Frases relacionadas
at lade være
builds onTo stop or refrain from something.
at dy sig
synonymTo restrain oneself.
at gøre for noget
similarTo be responsible for something.
at holde op
similarTo stop.
at modstå fristelsen
contrastTo resist the temptation.
