Signification
Starting a journey or leaving a place.
Contexte culturel
The 'Danish Goodbye' often involves saying 'tage af sted' and then talking for another 20 minutes by the door. It is considered polite to not leave too abruptly. In Greenlandic Danish, 'tage af sted' often refers to going out on the land or sea, which involves significant preparation due to the climate. Norwegians use the very similar 'dra av sted'. The cultural emphasis is often on 'friluftsliv' (outdoor life) and heading to the mountains. Swedes say 'ge sig av'. While similar, 'tage af sted' is uniquely Danish in its use of the verb 'take'.
The 'Er' Rule
When using the perfect tense (have left), use 'er' instead of 'har'. Say 'Jeg er taget af sted' (I am taken off place).
Spelling Trap
Don't worry too much about 'af sted' vs 'afsted'. Both are okay, but 'af sted' looks more professional.
Signification
Starting a journey or leaving a place.
The 'Er' Rule
When using the perfect tense (have left), use 'er' instead of 'har'. Say 'Jeg er taget af sted' (I am taken off place).
Spelling Trap
Don't worry too much about 'af sted' vs 'afsted'. Both are okay, but 'af sted' looks more professional.
Social Signaling
Use this phrase to politely end a conversation. It's the most natural way to say 'I need to go now'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'tage af sted'.
Vi _______ (present tense) klokken 9 i morgen tidlig.
The sentence refers to a future planned action, which in Danish uses the present tense.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A: Jeg tager af sted mine børn. B: Jeg er taget af sted fra kontoret. C: Jeg tager på sted nu.
B uses the correct perfect tense with 'er' and the correct preposition 'af'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Er I klar? B: Ja, vi _______ nu.
'Tager af sted' is the most natural response to 'Are you ready?'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are leaving a formal business meeting.
This is the most appropriate neutral/formal way to announce departure.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVi _______ (present tense) klokken 9 i morgen tidlig.
The sentence refers to a future planned action, which in Danish uses the present tense.
A: Jeg tager af sted mine børn. B: Jeg er taget af sted fra kontoret. C: Jeg tager på sted nu.
B uses the correct perfect tense with 'er' and the correct preposition 'af'.
A: Er I klar? B: Ja, vi _______ nu.
'Tager af sted' is the most natural response to 'Are you ready?'.
Situation: You are leaving a formal business meeting.
This is the most appropriate neutral/formal way to announce departure.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth are correct! The Danish Language Council allows both, but 'af sted' is more traditional.
No, that sounds like you are just leaving the room. Use 'at gå fra' for breakups.
'At gå' is just 'to walk' or 'to go'. 'At tage af sted' specifically means the act of starting your departure.
Use 'Jeg tog af sted'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, you can say 'Flyet tager af sted', though 'Flyet letter' is more technical.
Danish uses 'være' (to be) for verbs of movement that result in a new state.
It literally means 'off place' or 'away from the spot'.
Yes, that is a perfect sentence!
Only if you are with friends. In a meeting, 'tage af sted' is better.
Expressions liées
at smutte
similarTo head out (informal)
at rejse
specialized formTo travel
at forlade
synonymTo leave (a place/person)
at ankomme
contrastTo arrive
