Signification
Feeling generally miserable or unsatisfied.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is central to the Danish 'trivselsdebat' (well-being debate). It is used to discuss why citizens of a wealthy welfare state still suffer from mental health issues. Authors like Tove Ditlevsen are famous for describing 'ondt i livet'. Her work often explores the pain of being a woman and an artist in a restrictive society. Doctors and psychologists use this phrase to bridge the gap between physical symptoms and psychological causes, making it easier for patients to talk about their feelings. This sentiment is a staple of Nordic Noir crime fiction, where detectives often struggle with their own 'ondt i livet' while solving crimes.
Use it to show empathy
When a friend is sad but doesn't know why, saying 'Det lyder som om, du har lidt ondt i livet' shows you understand the depth of their feeling without judging.
Don't over-use it
Because it is a heavy phrase, using it for small things can make you sound melodramatic.
Signification
Feeling generally miserable or unsatisfied.
Use it to show empathy
When a friend is sad but doesn't know why, saying 'Det lyder som om, du har lidt ondt i livet' shows you understand the depth of their feeling without judging.
Don't over-use it
Because it is a heavy phrase, using it for small things can make you sound melodramatic.
The 'Hygge' connection
Danes often use this phrase during 'deep hygge'—the part of the evening where the candles are low and the conversation gets real.
Teste-toi
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Efter han mistede sit job, begyndte han at have ondt i _______.
In the context of losing a job and feeling general despair, 'livet' is the correct idiomatic choice.
Hvilken sætning er mest naturlig?
Hvordan beskriver man en person, der er deprimeret på en poetisk måde?
The definite form 'livet' is required for this idiom.
Match situationen med det rigtige udtryk.
En ven fortæller, at alt føles meningsløst og tungt.
Existential weight and meaninglessness are the core meanings of 'ondt i livet'.
Færdiggør dialogen.
A: Hvorfor ser du så trist ud? B: Jeg ved det ikke, jeg har bare...
This is a standard way to respond to a question about general sadness.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Physical vs. Existential Pain
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEfter han mistede sit job, begyndte han at have ondt i _______.
In the context of losing a job and feeling general despair, 'livet' is the correct idiomatic choice.
Hvordan beskriver man en person, der er deprimeret på en poetisk måde?
The definite form 'livet' is required for this idiom.
En ven fortæller, at alt føles meningsløst og tungt.
Existential weight and meaninglessness are the core meanings of 'ondt i livet'.
A: Hvorfor ser du så trist ud? B: Jeg ved det ikke, jeg har bare...
This is a standard way to respond to a question about general sadness.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, it is a colloquial and literary expression. However, doctors use it to talk about psychological distress.
Yes, it is very common to say 'børn med ondt i livet' to describe kids struggling with school or social pressure.
It's close, but 'ondt i livet' is broader and less clinical. You can have 'ondt i livet' without having a clinical depression.
Use 'havde': 'Da jeg var ung, havde jeg ofte ondt i livet.'
Not if you are close friends. It's a very compassionate way to ask about someone's mental state.
Expressions liées
at have ondt af sig selv
similarTo feel sorry for oneself.
livslede
synonymWeariness of life; loathing of existence.
at være nede i kulderen
informalTo be down in the dumps.
trivsel
contrastWell-being / thriving.
