Signification
Asking about the current situation.
Contexte culturel
Danes are generally very direct. Asking 'Hvad foregår der her?' is not considered rude if there is a visible reason to ask. It shows engagement with the community. In flat-hierarchy Danish offices, a junior employee can easily ask a senior 'Hvad foregår der her?' if they walk into a group discussion. It's seen as being proactive. At a 'sammenskudsgilde' (potluck), this phrase is often used when someone brings out a particularly impressive or strange dish. Danes value privacy, but they also value 'orden' (order). If someone is acting very strangely in public, this phrase might be used by bystanders to check if help is needed.
Use your eyebrows
Raising your eyebrows while saying this makes it sound more like a friendly question and less like an interrogation.
Don't forget 'der'
Without 'der', the sentence sounds like a robot speaking. It's the 'glue' of the sentence.
Signification
Asking about the current situation.
Use your eyebrows
Raising your eyebrows while saying this makes it sound more like a friendly question and less like an interrogation.
Don't forget 'der'
Without 'der', the sentence sounds like a robot speaking. It's the 'glue' of the sentence.
The 'Egentlig' trick
Add 'egentlig' (actually/really) to sound more like a native: 'Hvad foregår der egentlig her?'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
Hvad ______ der her?
'Foregår' is the standard verb for this specific expression.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask what is happening in a room you just entered?
You walk into a messy kitchen. What do you say?
This is the idiomatic way to express situational curiosity in Danish.
Match the phrase to the most likely situation.
Hvad foregår der her?
The phrase is used to inquire about an ongoing situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hvad foregår der her? B: ______
The response must explain the situation being asked about.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHvad ______ der her?
'Foregår' is the standard verb for this specific expression.
You walk into a messy kitchen. What do you say?
This is the idiomatic way to express situational curiosity in Danish.
Hvad foregår der her?
The phrase is used to inquire about an ongoing situation.
A: Hvad foregår der her? B: ______
The response must explain the situation being asked about.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is neutral. To make it more polite, add 'Undskyld' (Excuse me) at the beginning.
Yes: 'Hvad foregik der her?' (What was going on here?).
'Foregår' implies a process or event with duration. 'Sker' is more about a sudden event.
Yes, 'herovre' means 'over here'. It's very common if you are pointing to a specific spot.
Yes, it's perfectly fine in a professional Danish environment.
'Der' is a grammatical subject, and 'her' is the location. You need both!
Not exactly. 'Hvad sker der?' is closer to 'What's up?'. This phrase is more about the situation.
Yes, 'Hvad foregår der for ham?' means 'What is up with him/his behavior?'.
Yes, in emails, stories, and news reports.
In standard Copenhagen Danish, yes. It sounds like 'Va'.
Expressions liées
Hvad sker der?
similarWhat's happening?
Hvad er der gang i?
similarWhat's going on?
Hvad laver du?
contrastWhat are you doing?
Hvad så?
specialized formWhat's up?
