Signification
Indicating lack of free time
Contexte culturel
Being busy is often seen as a sign of a successful social and professional life, but complaining about it is a common social lubricant. Similar to Denmark, but there is an even stronger emphasis on 'friluftsliv' (outdoor life). If you are too busy for a Sunday hike, it is seen as a negative. In the US, 'busy' is often a badge of honor. In Denmark, saying 'jeg har travlt' is more of a neutral statement of fact. In Japan, being busy (isogashii) is expected in the workplace. In Denmark, having 'too much' busyness is often criticized as a failure of management.
The 'T' is Key
Always remember the 't' in 'travlt'. Without it, the phrase sounds incomplete to a native ear.
Don't say 'Jeg er travl'
This is the #1 mistake for English speakers. It sounds like you are a 'busy person' by nature, not that you have work to do.
Signification
Indicating lack of free time
The 'T' is Key
Always remember the 't' in 'travlt'. Without it, the phrase sounds incomplete to a native ear.
Don't say 'Jeg er travl'
This is the #1 mistake for English speakers. It sounds like you are a 'busy person' by nature, not that you have work to do.
Politeness
Add 'desværre' (unfortunately) if you are using this to decline an invitation to sound more polite.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
Jeg ___ travlt i dag.
In Danish, you 'have' (har) busyness, you don't 'are' (er) it.
Fill in the missing preposition.
Han har travlt ___ sit arbejde.
We use 'med' (with) to indicate what someone is busy with.
Match the Danish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the pairs
Understanding the variations and tenses of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
A: Vil du med i biografen? B: Nej, jeg kan ikke, jeg ___ ___ med at læse.
The standard form 'har travlt' is needed here.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg ___ travlt i dag.
In Danish, you 'have' (har) busyness, you don't 'are' (er) it.
Han har travlt ___ sit arbejde.
We use 'med' (with) to indicate what someone is busy with.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Understanding the variations and tenses of the phrase.
A: Vil du med i biografen? B: Nej, jeg kan ikke, jeg ___ ___ med at læse.
The standard form 'har travlt' is needed here.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, that is grammatically incorrect. You must use 'Jeg har travlt'.
It depends on the tone. Adding 'lige nu' (right now) or 'desværre' (unfortunately) makes it polite.
'Travl' is the adjective (en travl mand), while 'travlt' is used in the fixed expression 'at have travlt'.
You can say 'Jeg har meget travlt' or 'Jeg har rygende travlt'.
No, for a street use 'befærdet'. 'Travlt' is for people or activities.
Use 'med' (with). For example: 'Jeg har travlt med min bog'.
Yes, 'Der er knald på' or 'Jeg er helt ophængt'.
It means both! Context tells you if someone is working hard or rushing to a bus.
Change 'har' to 'havde': 'Jeg havde travlt i går'.
No, use 'Jeg har travlt med at...' followed by a verb.
Expressions liées
at have meget om ørerne
idiomTo have a lot on one's plate
at skynde sig
similarTo hurry up
at være ophængt
synonymTo be tied up/busy
at have rygende travlt
intensifierTo be smoking busy
