Signification
Currently working.
Contexte culturel
Danes value work-life balance highly. Being 'på arbejde' is a strictly defined time, and it is culturally acceptable (and expected) to not answer work emails once you are no longer 'på arbejde'. The 'frokostpause' (lunch break) is a key part of being 'på arbejde'. It is usually a social time where everyone, including the boss, eats together. Flat hierarchy means that when you are 'på arbejde', you are expected to take initiative regardless of your title. With 'hjemmearbejde' (working from home), the phrase 'på arbejde' has become more about mental focus than physical location.
Preposition Power
Always use 'på' with 'arbejde' when you mean you are there. It's one of the most common prepositional mistakes for learners.
Status vs. State
Don't say 'Jeg er i arbejde' if you are just sitting at your desk. That means 'I have a job' in a formal/statistical sense.
Signification
Currently working.
Preposition Power
Always use 'på' with 'arbejde' when you mean you are there. It's one of the most common prepositional mistakes for learners.
Status vs. State
Don't say 'Jeg er i arbejde' if you are just sitting at your desk. That means 'I have a job' in a formal/statistical sense.
Sound like a native
Use 'Jeg er på job' in casual texts to sound more like a modern Dane.
Respect the boundary
If a Dane says 'Jeg er på arbejde', they usually mean they cannot talk about private matters. Respect this boundary!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg er ___ arbejde lige nu.
In Danish, the fixed expression for being at work always uses the preposition 'på'.
Which sentence is correct for 'I was at work yesterday'?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
'Var' is the past tense of 'er', and 'på arbejde' is the correct phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kan du komme til min fest klokken 14? B: Nej, desværre. Jeg ___ ___ ___ indtil klokken 16.
B is explaining their current state/availability during that time.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are working from home and your friend asks if you want to go for a walk.
Even at home, you use 'er på arbejde' to indicate you are currently busy with professional tasks.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Prepositions with Work
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg er ___ arbejde lige nu.
In Danish, the fixed expression for being at work always uses the preposition 'på'.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
'Var' is the past tense of 'er', and 'på arbejde' is the correct phrase.
A: Kan du komme til min fest klokken 14? B: Nej, desværre. Jeg ___ ___ ___ indtil klokken 16.
B is explaining their current state/availability during that time.
Situation: You are working from home and your friend asks if you want to go for a walk.
Even at home, you use 'er på arbejde' to indicate you are currently busy with professional tasks.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsOnly if you are talking about your employment status (e.g., 'I am currently employed'). To say you are at your workplace, use 'på'.
It is a noun. The verb is 'være'.
Yes, it is very common to say 'Jeg er på arbejde' even if you are at home, to show you are busy.
'Arbejde' is the traditional Danish word. 'Job' is an English loanword used more informally.
You say 'Jeg har fri' or 'Jeg har fri fra arbejde'.
It is neutral. You can use it in any situation.
In the fixed idiom 'at være på arbejde', you don't use an article. 'På arbejdet' refers more specifically to the physical building.
No, for school you say 'Jeg er i skole' or 'Jeg er på studiet'.
Jeg er på arbejde til klokken 17.
It's a slang/idiomatic way to say you are at your desk working.
Expressions liées
at gå på arbejde
similarTo go to work / to have a job
at have arbejde
similarTo have a job
at være i arbejde
similarTo be employed
at tage på arbejde
builds onTo head off to work
at være på job
synonymTo be at work (informal)
