Signification
To be seeking something.
Contexte culturel
In Denmark, shop assistants are generally less 'pushy' than in the US. If they ask 'Hvad er du ude efter?', they genuinely want to help you find a specific item rather than just making a sale. If someone is perceived as being 'ude efter' fame or power too aggressively, it can be seen as a violation of the social norm that 'you are not better than us'. The flat hierarchy means that if a boss is 'ude efter' an employee, it is often discussed openly as a 'personalesag' (personnel case) rather than accepted as normal behavior. Danes can be very direct. Asking 'Hvad er du egentlig ude efter?' in a social setting is a very clear, non-passive-aggressive way to demand transparency.
Use it in shops
It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than just saying 'Jeg vil have...'
Watch your tone
If you say it with a frown, it sounds like an accusation of lying or hidden motives.
Signification
To be seeking something.
Use it in shops
It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than just saying 'Jeg vil have...'
Watch your tone
If you say it with a frown, it sounds like an accusation of lying or hidden motives.
The 'Ude på noget' shortcut
If you suspect someone is being sneaky, just say 'Han er ude på noget'. It's a very common idiomatic shortcut.
Job Interviews
Use it to describe the 'challenges' or 'opportunities' you are seeking to sound proactive.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
Jeg har kigget på mange biler, men jeg er _____ en elbil.
'Ude efter' is the correct idiom for seeking a specific item.
Fill in the missing words.
Hvorfor er du altid _____ _____ mig? Jeg har ikke gjort noget!
In this context, it means 'picking on me'.
Match the sentence to the most likely situation.
1. 'Hvad er De ude efter?' 2. 'Han er ude efter min arv.' 3. 'Politiet er ude efter ham.'
The phrase changes meaning based on the context of the pursuit.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg tror, chefen giver mig de sværeste opgaver med vilje. B: Ja, det virker virkelig som om, han er _____ _____ _____.
To be 'after someone' means to target them.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ude Efter vs. Lede Efter
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg har kigget på mange biler, men jeg er _____ en elbil.
'Ude efter' is the correct idiom for seeking a specific item.
Hvorfor er du altid _____ _____ mig? Jeg har ikke gjort noget!
In this context, it means 'picking on me'.
1. 'Hvad er De ude efter?' 2. 'Han er ude efter min arv.' 3. 'Politiet er ude efter ham.'
The phrase changes meaning based on the context of the pursuit.
A: Jeg tror, chefen giver mig de sværeste opgaver med vilje. B: Ja, det virker virkelig som om, han er _____ _____ _____.
To be 'after someone' means to target them.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsUsually no. If you are 'ude efter' a person, it usually means you want to criticize them or you want something from them. If you like them, use 'at være interesseret i'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your friends and with a shop assistant. However, in very formal writing, 'at søge' is preferred.
'På jagt efter' (on the hunt for) is more intense and usually used for big things like a house or a career.
No, that is a grammatical error. It must be 'ude' because it describes a state, not a direction.
Not at all! In a shop, it's 100% positive and helpful. It only becomes 'bad' if the context implies a hidden motive.
Add 'egentlig' (actually/really) and emphasize it: 'Hvad er du *egentlig* ude efter?'
Yes, if you are looking for a specific type of food in a supermarket: 'Jeg er ude efter noget god ost'.
Yes, very often to describe market goals or competitor actions.
Jeg var ude efter... (I was after...)
No, use 'leder efter'. Unless the dog is 'ude efter' a cat (chasing it).
Yes, it is used all over Denmark.
Only if you are questioning their intentions, e.g., 'Er han kun ude efter sex?'
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'at undgå' (to avoid) is the functional opposite.
Frequently, especially in politics: 'Oppositionen er ude efter ministeren'.
Expressions liées
at være ude på noget
similarTo be up to something / have an ulterior motive.
at lede efter
similarTo look for.
at gå efter
builds onTo go for / pursue a goal.
at være på jagt efter
specialized formTo be on the hunt for.
at se efter
contrastTo look after / check on.
