Signification
Stating lack of knowledge
Contexte culturel
Danes value honesty over 'saving face.' Saying you don't know is seen as professional and trustworthy. In Danish universities, it is common for professors to say 'Jeg ved det ikke' to encourage students to research the answer themselves. The phrase is often accompanied by a specific shrug and a 'pouty' lip expression, which signals that the person is not being rude, just uninformed. Flat hierarchy means you can say 'Jeg ved det ikke' to your boss without fear of looking incompetent, as long as you follow up.
The 'Det' Rule
Always include 'det.' If you just say 'Jeg ved ikke,' it sounds like you're about to say more but stopped mid-sentence.
Don't be afraid
Danes won't think you're stupid if you say you don't know. They will think you're honest.
Signification
Stating lack of knowledge
The 'Det' Rule
Always include 'det.' If you just say 'Jeg ved ikke,' it sounds like you're about to say more but stopped mid-sentence.
Don't be afraid
Danes won't think you're stupid if you say you don't know. They will think you're honest.
Vide vs. Kende
Remember: Vide = Facts, Kende = Familiarity. Don't mix them up!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to say 'I don't know.'
Jeg ___ det ___.
'Ved' is the verb and 'ikke' is the negation.
Which sentence is the most natural response to 'Hvor er mælken?' (Where is the milk?)
Hvor er mælken?
Inversion (Det ved jeg ikke) is very common in spoken responses.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ved du, hvornår filmen starter? B: Nej, ___.
The speaker is admitting they don't have the information.
Match the phrase to the formality level.
1. Pas. 2. Jeg ved det ikke. 3. Det er jeg ikke klar over.
'Pas' is very casual, while 'klar over' is formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to say 'I don't know'
Formal
- • Det er jeg ikke klar over
Neutral
- • Jeg ved det ikke
Informal
- • Pas
- • Aner det ikke
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJeg ___ det ___.
'Ved' is the verb and 'ikke' is the negation.
Hvor er mælken?
Inversion (Det ved jeg ikke) is very common in spoken responses.
A: Ved du, hvornår filmen starter? B: Nej, ___.
The speaker is admitting they don't have the information.
1. Pas. 2. Jeg ved det ikke. 3. Det er jeg ikke klar over.
'Pas' is very casual, while 'klar over' is formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in very informal speech or texting, you can drop the 'jeg.' It's like saying 'Don't know' in English.
Danish is a V2 language. In a simple sentence, the verb is second, and the negation follows it.
Not among friends, but don't say it to your boss or a stranger; it's a bit too blunt.
The second one (inversion) is more common when answering a specific question. It links the 'it' directly to what was just asked.
Use the past tense: 'Jeg vidste det ikke.'
In texts, Danes often write 'ved det ik' or just 'pas'.
No, 'ved' has the soft Danish 'd' (ð), so it sounds more like the end of 'bathe'.
Technically no. Use 'Hvad siger du?' (What are you saying?) or 'Jeg forstår ikke.'
Yes, though the pronunciation might be 'A ve'et it' in some dialects.
It's a grammatical requirement for the verb 'vide' to have an object in this construction.
Expressions liées
Det ved jeg ikke
similarI don't know (that)
Jeg har ingen anelse
similarI have no idea
Pas
synonymPass / I don't know
Jeg ved det
contrastI know it
Aner det ikke
specialized formHave no clue
