Signification
Something is overdue
Contexte culturel
The 'Social Exit' is a ritual. Using this phrase allows the host to offer 'one last cup of coffee' or 'en lille en' (a small drink), which you can then politely decline. Danish meetings often end exactly on time. A participant saying 'Det er ved at være tid' is seen as helpful, not rude. Danish parents use this to avoid conflict. It frames the time as an external force rather than a parental command. In Denmark, 'tid' is precise. If the S-tog leaves at 14:02, 'ved at være tid' means it is 14:00.
The 'Vist' Trick
Add 'vist' (probably) to make it even more polite: 'Det er vist ved at være tid.' This is the peak of Danish social grace.
Don't skip 'være'
Saying 'Det er ved at tid' is a common beginner mistake. Always keep the 'være'!
Signification
Something is overdue
The 'Vist' Trick
Add 'vist' (probably) to make it even more polite: 'Det er vist ved at være tid.' This is the peak of Danish social grace.
Don't skip 'være'
Saying 'Det er ved at tid' is a common beginner mistake. Always keep the 'være'!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to say 'It is getting to be time for coffee.'
Det er ___ ___ ___ tid til kaffe.
The idiom requires 'ved at være' to mean 'getting to be.'
Which phrase is most polite when leaving a party?
Du er til en fest og vil gå hjem. Hvad siger du?
This is the standard polite way to announce a departure.
Match the Danish phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
Each phrase has a specific nuance of urgency.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesDet er ___ ___ ___ tid til kaffe.
The idiom requires 'ved at være' to mean 'getting to be.'
Du er til en fest og vil gå hjem. Hvad siger du?
This is the standard polite way to announce a departure.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Each phrase has a specific nuance of urgency.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsYes, it's perfect for reminding a colleague that a deadline is approaching without being aggressive.
Use 'tid til' before a noun (tid til kaffe) and 'tid til at' before a verb (tid til at sove).
Expressions liées
på tide
similarhigh time
at lakke mod enden
similardrawing to a close
lige om lidt
builds onin just a moment
