Signification
Asking for someone's opinion.
Contexte culturel
Danes often use this phrase to avoid appearing too bossy. By asking for an opinion, they turn a command into a collaborative decision. In Danish workplaces, silence after this question is often interpreted as disagreement. You are expected to give at least a brief 'Det lyder godt' (That sounds good). When someone shows you something new and asks this, the expected cultural response is usually positive or constructive, keeping with the 'hygge' vibe. Younger Danes might shorten this to 'Hvad si'r du?' which can be confusing as it also means 'What did you say?'. Context is everything.
The 'How about' shortcut
Use 'Hvad siger du til...' followed by any noun to make an instant suggestion. 'Hvad siger du til en pizza?' is the most natural way to suggest dinner.
Don't forget 'til'
Without 'til', the sentence 'Hvad siger du det?' is incorrect. The 'til' connects your question to the object.
Signification
Asking for someone's opinion.
The 'How about' shortcut
Use 'Hvad siger du til...' followed by any noun to make an instant suggestion. 'Hvad siger du til en pizza?' is the most natural way to suggest dinner.
Don't forget 'til'
Without 'til', the sentence 'Hvad siger du det?' is incorrect. The 'til' connects your question to the object.
Consensus is key
Danes use this phrase to be polite. Even if you've already decided, asking this makes the other person feel included.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to ask for an opinion.
Jeg har købt en ny bil. Hvad ___ du ___ det?
The standard phrase is 'Hvad siger du til det?'.
Which sentence is a suggestion for a cup of coffee?
How do you say 'How about a cup of coffee?'
When making a suggestion for a noun, you use 'Hvad siger du til [noun]?'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi gå i biografen i aften? B: Det ved jeg ikke helt. A: Der går en ny film med Mads Mikkelsen. ______?
A is trying to convince B by providing more information and asking for a reaction.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You just showed your friend your new apartment.
You are asking for a reaction to the thing you just showed.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg har købt en ny bil. Hvad ___ du ___ det?
The standard phrase is 'Hvad siger du til det?'.
How do you say 'How about a cup of coffee?'
When making a suggestion for a noun, you use 'Hvad siger du til [noun]?'.
A: Skal vi gå i biografen i aften? B: Det ved jeg ikke helt. A: Der går en ny film med Mads Mikkelsen. ______?
A is trying to convince B by providing more information and asking for a reaction.
You just showed your friend your new apartment.
You are asking for a reaction to the thing you just showed.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, absolutely. Danish work culture is very informal. Unless your boss is extremely old-fashioned, 'du' is perfectly fine.
'Hvad synes du?' is for personal opinions (e.g., 'Do you like this color?'). 'Hvad siger du til det?' is for reactions to news or proposals (e.g., 'I'm moving. What do you say to that?').
If you just say 'Hvad siger du?', it usually means 'What are you saying?' or 'Pardon?'. Adding 'til det' is necessary to ask for an opinion.
Common answers include 'Det lyder godt' (That sounds good), 'Det ved jeg ikke helt' (I don't really know), or 'Det er en god idé' (That's a good idea).
Yes! 'Hvad siger du til lasagne?' is a very common way to suggest a meal.
It's a fixed prepositional idiom. Think of it as 'What is your response *to* this?'.
Yes, it's very common in emails and texts, though it's primarily a spoken expression.
No, quite the opposite. It usually sounds inclusive and friendly.
Yes: 'Hvad sagde han til det?' (What did he say to that?).
Use 'Hvad siger De til det?', but be aware that this sounds very stiff in modern Denmark.
Expressions liées
Hvad synes du?
similarWhat do you think? (Personal taste)
Hvad mener du?
similarWhat do you mean? / What is your opinion?
Hvad siger du til en...?
specialized formHow about a...?
Hvad tænker du?
similarWhat are you thinking?
