Signification
Accepting a proposal.
Contexte culturel
Danes value consensus. Using 'vi' (we) even when the task might fall on one person is a way to emphasize teamwork and shared decision-making. In Danish offices, hierarchy is flat. A boss might use 'Det kan vi godt' to accept an employee's suggestion, showing that the idea is valid and accepted by the 'team'. Saying just 'Ja' can sometimes sound too short or even slightly rude. Adding 'det kan vi godt' makes the response warmer and more 'hyggelig'. In Danish text messages, this is often shortened to 'Det ka' vi godt' or just 'Det kan vi'. It's the equivalent of a 'thumbs up' emoji.
Use it for 'Sure'
Whenever you want to say 'Sure' in English, 'Det kan vi godt' is almost always the best translation.
Watch the word order
Don't say 'Vi kan det godt'. It sounds like you are a robot translating from English.
Signification
Accepting a proposal.
Use it for 'Sure'
Whenever you want to say 'Sure' in English, 'Det kan vi godt' is almost always the best translation.
Watch the word order
Don't say 'Vi kan det godt'. It sounds like you are a robot translating from English.
The 'We' factor
Even if you are the only one doing the thing, using 'vi' makes you sound more like a team player in Denmark.
Softening with 'vel'
If you aren't sure, say 'Det kan vi vel godt'. It adds a nice layer of 'I guess so'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the agreement.
Skal vi tage i biografen? - Det ___ vi godt.
'Kan' is the correct modal verb for expressing possibility/agreement in this phrase.
Which sentence is the most natural Danish response to 'Vil du med i parken?'
Choose the best answer:
Danish uses the Object-Verb-Subject order for this specific idiom.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your boss asks if you can finish a task by Friday.
You are confirming your ability to do the task, so 'kan' is used.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Skal vi spise klokken 18? B: ________. Det passer mig fint.
This is the standard way to agree to a time suggestion.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSkal vi tage i biografen? - Det ___ vi godt.
'Kan' is the correct modal verb for expressing possibility/agreement in this phrase.
Choose the best answer:
Danish uses the Object-Verb-Subject order for this specific idiom.
Situation: Your boss asks if you can finish a task by Friday.
You are confirming your ability to do the task, so 'kan' is used.
A: Skal vi spise klokken 18? B: ________. Det passer mig fint.
This is the standard way to agree to a time suggestion.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, but 'Det kan vi godt' sounds much more natural and polite in a conversation.
It acts as a 'modal particle' that signals agreement and makes the sentence sound complete.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend.
Yes, just change 'vi' to 'jeg': 'Det kan jeg godt'.
Danish likes to put the 'topic' of the sentence first. Here, 'Det' refers to the suggestion made by the other person.
It's not better, just more enthusiastic. Use 'sagtens' if you are 100% sure and happy to do it.
Say 'Det kan vi ikke'. You just replace 'godt' with 'ikke'.
Yes, it's very common in work emails to confirm a meeting or a task.
'Det gør vi' (We'll do that) is more of a final decision, while 'Det kan vi godt' is more of an agreement to a suggestion.
No, that sounds like Yoda from Star Wars.
Yes, this is a universal Danish expression used from Copenhagen to Jutland.
Not really. It's more like 'certainly' or 'fine' in this specific context.
Expressions liées
Det kan vi sagtens
similarWe can easily do that.
Det finder vi ud af
similarWe'll figure it out.
Det gør vi
synonymWe'll do that.
Det må vi godt
contrastWe are allowed to.
Det kan jeg godt
specialized formI can do that.
