Signification
Something is difficult but doable.
Contexte culturel
Danes use this phrase to avoid sounding like they are complaining. It's part of the 'keep calm and carry on' mentality. In Danish companies, you will almost never hear the word 'problem' in a meeting. Everything is an 'udfordring'. Teachers use this to encourage students. It frames difficulty as something to be conquered rather than a wall. On Instagram, Danes use #udfordring for fitness goals or 30-day challenges.
The 'Softener' Effect
Use this phrase when you have to give bad news to a boss. It makes the news sound like a task you are already handling.
Don't overdo it
If you call *everything* a challenge, you might sound like a corporate robot. Mix it up with 'svært' or 'hårdt' sometimes.
Signification
Something is difficult but doable.
The 'Softener' Effect
Use this phrase when you have to give bad news to a boss. It makes the news sound like a task you are already handling.
Don't overdo it
If you call *everything* a challenge, you might sound like a corporate robot. Mix it up with 'svært' or 'hårdt' sometimes.
The Sarcastic Challenge
Sometimes Danes use this sarcastically for something that is actually impossible. Watch the facial expression!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Det var ______ ______ ______ udfordring at lære at svømme.
The standard idiom is 'lidt af en udfordring'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a professional context?
A: Min computer er død, det er lidt af en udfordring. B: Min kat er død, det er lidt af en udfordring.
A computer dying is a technical challenge; a cat dying is a personal tragedy where the phrase is too cold.
Match the Danish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the three main levels of intensity for this phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du nå at blive færdig til klokken 16? B: Det bliver ______ ______ ______ ______.
This is the most natural way to express doubt about a deadline in Danish.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDet var ______ ______ ______ udfordring at lære at svømme.
The standard idiom is 'lidt af en udfordring'.
A: Min computer er død, det er lidt af en udfordring. B: Min kat er død, det er lidt af en udfordring.
A computer dying is a technical challenge; a cat dying is a personal tragedy where the phrase is too cold.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three main levels of intensity for this phrase.
A: Kan du nå at blive færdig til klokken 16? B: Det bliver ______ ______ ______ ______.
This is the most natural way to express doubt about a deadline in Danish.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNo, we usually say 'noget af en udfordring' or 'en stor udfordring' instead.
Yes, but it's a bit of a 'polite' insult. 'Han er lidt af en udfordring' means he is difficult to work with.
A challenge is something you can overcome; a problem is something that is wrong. Challenges are positive; problems are negative.
No, you can say 'lidt af en helt' (a bit of a hero) or 'lidt af en overraskelse' (a bit of a surprise).
Place your tongue behind your lower teeth and let the air flow over it, like the 'th' in 'this'.
Expressions liées
at have hænderne fulde
similarTo have one's hands full / to be very busy.
en hård nød at knække
similarA hard nut to crack.
op ad bakke
similarUphill / a struggle.
en smal sag
contrastA piece of cake / very easy.
