Signification
To remain focused on the topic
Contexte culturel
In Danish business culture, 'direkte kommunikation' (direct communication) is highly valued. Rambling is seen as inefficient. If someone tells you to 'holde dig til emnet', they are often trying to be helpful and efficient, not necessarily rude. While also valuing efficiency, Americans might use more 'softeners' like 'Let's circle back' or 'I'm not sure that's relevant right now' instead of the more direct Danish 'Hold dig til emnet'. In Japan, maintaining harmony (Wa) is key. Directly telling someone to stay on topic can be seen as causing a loss of face. Indirect cues are more common. Similar to Denmark, Germany values 'Sachlichkeit'. Staying on topic is a sign of competence and respect for the structure of the meeting (Ordnung).
Use it in exams
Danish examiners love students who can 'holde sig til emnet'. It shows you have understood the question perfectly.
Don't be too aggressive
In casual settings, saying 'Hold dig til emnet' can sound like you are telling someone to shut up. Use it sparingly with friends.
Signification
To remain focused on the topic
Use it in exams
Danish examiners love students who can 'holde sig til emnet'. It shows you have understood the question perfectly.
Don't be too aggressive
In casual settings, saying 'Hold dig til emnet' can sound like you are telling someone to shut up. Use it sparingly with friends.
The 'Rød Tråd'
Danes often talk about 'den røde tråd' (the red thread). Staying on topic is the same as keeping the red thread visible.
Reflexive check
Always check your subject. If it's 'Vi', it must be 'os'. If it's 'I', it must be 'jer'.
Teste-toi
Udfyld det manglende ord i den rigtige form.
Det er vigtigt, at du ______ dig til emnet under eksamen.
The sentence is a general statement in the present tense, so 'holder' is correct.
Hvilken sætning er korrekt?
Vælg den rigtige præposition.
The fixed collocation is 'at holde sig TIL emnet'.
Hvad ville være det mest naturlige svar?
A: 'Jeg synes også, vi skal tale om budgettet for næste år.' B: 'Hov, vi er i gang med at diskutere julefrokosten. Lad os lige...'
B is reminding A to stay focused on the current discussion about the Christmas party.
Match det danske udtryk med den engelske betydning.
Match udtrykkene.
These are the standard translations for these common communication idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDet er vigtigt, at du ______ dig til emnet under eksamen.
The sentence is a general statement in the present tense, so 'holder' is correct.
Vælg den rigtige præposition.
The fixed collocation is 'at holde sig TIL emnet'.
A: 'Jeg synes også, vi skal tale om budgettet for næste år.' B: 'Hov, vi er i gang med at diskutere julefrokosten. Lad os lige...'
B is reminding A to stay focused on the current discussion about the Christmas party.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these common communication idioms.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYou can, but 'emne' is much more common for specific discussions. 'Tema' is usually for broader concepts like 'The theme of the party'.
Yes, it can be. It's better to say 'Skal vi vende tilbage til emnet?' (Should we return to the topic?) to be more polite.
The past tense is 'holdt sig til emnet'. Example: 'Han holdt sig til emnet under hele mødet'.
Yes, in this specific meaning of staying focused, the reflexive 'sig' is mandatory.
'At komme til sagen' or 'at holde sig til emnet' are both good, but 'emnet' is more about the subject matter.
Absolutely. It is very common in academic feedback: 'Du skal være bedre til at holde dig til emnet'.
'Emne' is a topic of talk; 'sag' is a case, a matter, or a cause.
Yes, 'at blive ved emnet' is a very common and natural alternative.
Yes, you can 'holde dig til planen' (stick to the plan) or 'holde dig til reglerne' (stick to the rules).
It's pronounced 'EM-nuhd' with a soft 'd' at the end.
Expressions liées
at holde tråden
similarTo keep the thread of a story.
at snakke udenom
contrastTo talk around the point.
at holde sig til sagen
specialized formTo stick to the case/matter.
at komme til sagen
builds onTo get to the point.
at skifte emne
contrastTo change the subject.
at være saglig
similarTo be objective/matter-of-fact.
