Signification
Something that should not be told.
Contexte culturel
Danes value 'privatlivets fred'. It is often considered a 'secret' how much someone earns or who they voted for, and asking is seen as intrusive. The month of December is full of 'hemmeligheder'. Children make 'hemmelige' gifts at school, and 'nisser' leave secret treats. The TV show 'Borgen' popularized the term 'statshemmelighed' (state secret) globally, reflecting the Danish interest in political transparency vs. secrecy. Sharing a 'hemmelighed' is a key part of 'hygge' with close friends, as it reinforces the 'inner circle' feeling.
Noun vs Adjective
Always check if you have 'en' before the word. 'En hemmelighed' (noun) vs 'Det er hemmeligt' (adjective).
The Soft D
Don't pronounce the final 'd' in 'hemmelighed' like a hard English 'd'. It's soft and airy.
Signification
Something that should not be told.
Noun vs Adjective
Always check if you have 'en' before the word. 'En hemmelighed' (noun) vs 'Det er hemmeligt' (adjective).
The Soft D
Don't pronounce the final 'd' in 'hemmelighed' like a hard English 'd'. It's soft and airy.
Social Bonding
In Denmark, saying 'Jeg vil fortælle dig en hemmelighed' is a very strong way to build a friendship.
Janteloven
Sometimes keeping a success a 'secret' is a way to follow the Law of Jante and not brag.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'It is a secret'.
Det er en ________.
We need the noun form 'hemmelighed' after the article 'en'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the right way to say 'The plan is secret'.
'Planen' is common gender, so the adjective must be 'hemmelig' (no -t).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hvad fik du i fødselsdagsgave? B: Jeg kan ikke sige det endnu. ________.
This is the standard way to refuse to reveal a surprise.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at work and discussing a confidential file.
A confidential file is a secret.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDet er en ________.
We need the noun form 'hemmelighed' after the article 'en'.
Choose the right way to say 'The plan is secret'.
'Planen' is common gender, so the adjective must be 'hemmelig' (no -t).
A: Hvad fik du i fødselsdagsgave? B: Jeg kan ikke sige det endnu. ________.
This is the standard way to refuse to reveal a surprise.
You are at work and discussing a confidential file.
A confidential file is a secret.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is common gender: 'en hemmelighed'.
You say: 'Kan du holde på en hemmelighed?'
'Hemmelighed' is general/personal, while 'fortrolighed' is more formal/professional (confidentiality).
Yes, it's very common in office settings for non-legal secrets.
Yes, 'tys-tys' is a common informal/slang way to say something is secret.
Because it's an adjective describing 'det' (neuter).
Usually no, but it depends on your tone. It can be playful or serious.
You can say 'Jeg har ingen hemmeligheder' or 'Jeg har rent mel i posen'.
An 'open secret'—something everyone knows but no one talks about officially.
Yes! Etymologically, it means something kept inside the home.
Expressions liées
At holde på en hemmelighed
builds onTo keep a secret
At røbe en hemmelighed
contrastTo reveal a secret
En offentlig hemmelighed
specialized formAn open secret
Fortroligt
synonymConfidential
Tys-tys
similarHush-hush
