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C1 adjective 7 min de lecture

triviel

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces triviel en 30 secondes

Explication triviel in your Level:

At level A1, you don't really need the word 'triviel'. It is too advanced. Instead, you should focus on the word 'kedelig', which means 'boring'. If you want to say something is 'trivial' in the sense of 'small', you can use 'lille'. However, if you see 'triviel', just think of it as a fancy way to say something is very, very boring because it happens all the time. For example, 'Arbejde er kedeligt' is what you would say. You wouldn't use 'triviel' yet in your own speaking, but knowing it means 'boring' helps you understand more complex texts later on. It is a word for books, not for your first coffee shop conversation in Copenhagen.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe your daily routine. You might find that your routine is the same every day. While you would still mostly use 'kedelig' (boring) or 'det samme' (the same), 'triviel' might appear in a reading text about work-life balance. Think of 'triviel' as describing a 'loop'. If you do the same thing every morning—wake up, drink coffee, take the bus—that is a 'triviel' routine. You can start to recognize the -el ending and how it changes to -elt for 'et' words. For example, 'Et trivielt job' (A boring/monotonous job). It is a good word to recognize when people complain about their boring office work.

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At B1, you are moving beyond basic descriptions and starting to express more nuanced opinions. 'Triviel' becomes useful when you want to criticize something for being unoriginal. If you watch a movie and the ending is exactly what you expected, you can call it 'trivielt'. It is a more precise word than just 'kedelig'. It tells the listener *why* it is boring: because it is predictable and common. You should also be aware of the plural form 'trivielle'. For example, 'Jeg kan ikke lide de trivielle samtaler til fester' (I don't like the trivial/commonplace conversations at parties). It helps you sound more like a native speaker who has a broader vocabulary.

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At B2, you are expected to use 'triviel' in your writing and formal speaking. You should use it to describe social phenomena, work conditions, or artistic works. You understand that 'triviel' isn't just 'boring', but specifically 'monotonous' or 'lacking in innovation'. You can use it in phrases like 'trivielle gøremål' (mundane chores) or 'en triviel tilgang' (a banal approach). You also start to see the difference between 'triviel' (monotonous) and 'ubetydelig' (unimportant), avoiding the common English-speaker mistake. Your grammar should be consistent, correctly using 'trivielt' and 'trivielle' without thinking too much about the rules.

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At C1, 'triviel' is a standard part of your academic and professional vocabulary. You use it to provide sophisticated critiques. You might discuss the 'trivielle aspekter af bureaukratiet' (the trivial/monotonous aspects of bureaucracy) or critique a piece of literature for its 'trivielle personkarakteristik' (banal characterization). You understand the etymological connection to the 'crossroads' and the philosophical implications of the mundane. You can use the word to distinguish between what is 'original' and what is merely 'commonplace'. Your usage is precise, and you can explain the difference between 'triviel', 'banal', and 'ensformig' to others. You are comfortable using it in high-level debates about culture and society.

At the C2 level, 'triviel' is a tool for precision and rhetorical flair. You might use it ironically or to evoke a specific literary mood. You are aware of its historical usage in Danish literature (like in the works of Pontoppidan or Bang) to describe the crushing weight of provincial life. You can use it in highly specialized contexts, such as mathematics ('en triviel løsning') or linguistic theory, without hesitation. Your command of the word includes its most subtle connotations—the sense of spiritual exhaustion that comes from the 'trivielle'. You use it to weave complex arguments about the nature of modern existence, where the 'trivielle' and the 'ekstraordinære' collide.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

triviel en 30 secondes

Triviel means monotonous or banal in Danish.
It is a C1-level word used for intellectual critique.
It is a false friend with English 'trivial' (unimportant).
It changes to trivielt (neuter) and trivielle (plural).

The Danish word triviel is a sophisticated adjective primarily used to describe something that lacks originality, is monotonous, or has become commonplace to the point of being uninteresting. While it shares a root with the English word 'trivial', its semantic field in Danish is subtly different. In English, 'trivial' almost always denotes something of little importance or value. In Danish, while it can mean 'unimportant', it more frequently describes the quality of being repetitive, banal, or predictable. For a C1 learner, understanding this nuance is crucial. If you describe a task as trivielt, you are not necessarily saying it doesn't matter; you are saying it is tedious and lacks any spark of novelty. It is a word often found in literary criticism, sociological discussions, and professional feedback where one might critique a project for being too 'safe' or 'uninspired'.

Etymological Root: Derived from the Latin 'trivialis', meaning 'belonging to the crossroads'. In ancient times, the crossroads were where common people met, leading to the association with things that are ordinary or vulgar. In Danish, this evolved to emphasize the lack of intellectual or creative depth.
Modern Context: In the modern Danish workplace, 'trivielle opgaver' refers to routine administrative tasks like data entry or filing—work that is necessary but offers no mental stimulation.

Selvom emnet er vigtigt, var hans præsentation desværre utrolig triviel og uden nye perspektiver.

When discussing art or literature, calling a plot triviel is a sharp critique. It suggests the author relied on clichés and tropes rather than innovation. It is the opposite of 'original' or 'nyskabende'. In social circles, describing a conversation as triviel implies it was filled with small talk and lacked meaningful connection. It is important to note that the word carries a slightly formal or academic tone; in casual speech, Danes might simply use 'kedelig' (boring) or 'forudsigelig' (predictable).

Hverdagens trivielle gøremål kan nogle gange føles som en tung byrde.

Philosophical Nuance: In existential philosophy, the 'trivielle' represents the mundane reality that one must transcend to find true meaning. It is the background noise of existence.

Using triviel correctly requires attention to Danish adjective agreement. Because it ends in '-el', it follows specific declension rules. For common gender nouns (en-ord), use triviel. For neuter gender nouns (et-ord), use trivielt. For plural nouns or when following a definite article, use trivielle. This grammatical flexibility allows you to describe everything from a single thought to an entire lifestyle.

Det var et trivielt problem, som vi løste på fem minutter.

Common Gender (En): En triviel bemærkning (A trivial/banal remark).
Neuter Gender (Et): Et trivielt liv (A monotonous life).
Plural/Definite: De trivielle detaljer (The trivial/mundane details).

In professional writing, you might encounter it in the phrase 'triviel softwareudvikling', referring to standard coding tasks that don't require high-level problem solving. It is also frequently used with the verb 'at føle sig' (to feel). For example, 'Jeg føler mig fanget i en triviel hverdag' (I feel trapped in a monotonous everyday life). This highlights the emotional weight the word can carry—a sense of being drained by the lack of variety.

Filmens plot var så trivielt, at jeg faldt i søvn halvvejs igennem.

You will encounter triviel in environments where quality, originality, and intellectual depth are valued. It is a staple of Danish broadsheets like *Politiken* or *Weekendavisen*, especially in the culture and opinion sections. Critics use it to dismiss art that doesn't challenge the audience. You might also hear it in academic lectures, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, to describe phenomena that are statistically common but theoretically uninteresting.

Debatten blev hurtigt triviel, da ingen turde sige noget kontroversielt.

In the Media: Journalists often use it to describe political rhetoric that lacks substance or repeats the same tired talking points.
In Literature: Authors use it to set a scene of suburban boredom or the crushing weight of a 9-to-5 job.

In a corporate setting, a manager might use it during a performance review to suggest that an employee's work, while competent, lacks the 'extra mile' or creative spark. 'Dit arbejde er teknisk korrekt, men det er en smule trivielt.' This is a polite but firm way of saying the work is uninspired. Conversely, in science, it is used neutrally to describe findings that were already expected or easily deduced from existing laws.

The most significant pitfall for English speakers is the 'False Friend' effect. In English, calling something 'trivial' usually means it's a 'small thing' or 'unimportant'. In Danish, triviel strongly implies 'boring' and 'monotonous'. If you tell a Danish colleague that their error was 'triviel', they might think you are calling their mistake 'boring' or 'commonplace' rather than 'minor'. To say something is minor or unimportant, use 'ubetydelig' or 'lille'.

Fejlen var ubetydelig (correct for 'minor'), ikke triviel.

Mistake: Confusing with 'Trist': Learners often use 'triviel' when they mean 'sad'. While a repetitive life can be sad, 'triviel' describes the repetition, not the emotion.
Mistake: Overusing it in Slang: Younger Danes rarely use 'triviel' in casual conversation. Using it at a party might make you sound like a university professor.

Another mistake involves the plural form. Many learners forget to drop the 'e' in the stem and write 'triviele' instead of the correct trivielle. Always remember that Danish adjectives ending in -el, -en, and -er undergo this contraction in the plural and definite forms. This is a hallmark of high-level Danish writing and speaking proficiency.

To truly master the C1 level, you must be able to choose between triviel and its synonyms based on context. While they all point toward 'uninteresting', the flavor of each word varies significantly. Using the right one shows a deep understanding of Danish linguistic nuance.

Banal: Use 'banal' when something is so common that it lacks any depth or originality. Often used for ideas or statements. Example: 'En banal sandhed' (A cliché truth).
Monoton: Use 'monoton' specifically for sounds or tasks that repeat without variation. Example: 'En monoton stemme' (A monotonous voice).
Kedelig: The general word for 'boring'. Use this in casual conversation. 'Triviel' is the academic cousin of 'kedelig'.
Ensformig: Literally 'one-form'. Used for landscapes, work, or routines that never change. Very close to 'triviel' but more descriptive of the structure.

When comparing 'triviel' to 'ligegyldig', the difference is importance. Something 'ligegyldig' is something you don't care about at all. Something 'triviel' might be something you care about (like your job), but you find the execution of it tedious. Choosing 'triviel' adds a layer of intellectual critique that 'kedelig' lacks.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In the Middle Ages, the 'Trivium' was the lower division of the seven liberal arts (grammar, logic, and rhetoric), considered more 'basic' or 'common' than the Quadrivium.

Guide de prononciation

UK /tʁiˈvjɛl/

US /triˈvjɛl/

On the last syllable: tri-VIEL.

Rime avec

speciel industriel reel aktuel eventuel materiel officiel principiel

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it like the English 'trivial' with stress on the first syllable.
Forgetting the silent 'd' sounds nearby (though not in this word, learners often over-correct).
Not making the 'l' clear at the end.
Mispronouncing the 'v' as a 'w'.
Vowel length confusion in the first syllable.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

Common in newspapers and literature but requires nuance to understand the specific Danish meaning.

Écriture 5/5

Requires correct declension (-el to -elt/-ielle) and awareness of the 'false friend' trap.

Expression orale 4/5

High-level word that sounds sophisticated if used correctly.

Écoute 3/5

Easy to hear, but easy to misinterpret as 'unimportant' instead of 'boring'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

kedelig samme arbejde liv ting

Apprends ensuite

banal monoton ubetydelig original nyskabende

Avancé

eksistentialisme bureaukrati æstetik kliche trivialitet

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective agreement with -el

en triviel bog, et trivielt brev, de trivielle bøger

Dropping the 'e' in plural

triviel -> trivielle (not triviele)

Substantivized adjectives

Det trivielle (The mundane/The trivial)

Comparison of adjectives

triviel, mere triviel, mest triviel

Adverbs from adjectives

Han arbejder trivielt (He works monotonously)

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Exemples par niveau

Min dag er meget triviel.

My day is very monotonous.

Uses the common gender form 'triviel'.

Det er et trivielt spørgsmål.

It is a trivial question.

Uses the neuter form 'trivielt' because of 'et spørgsmål'.

Bogen er lidt triviel.

The book is a bit banal.

Adjective modifying 'bogen' (en-word).

Han har et trivielt arbejde.

He has a monotonous job.

Neuter form 'trivielt' modifying 'arbejde'.

De trivielle ting er vigtige.

The trivial things are important.

Plural definite form 'trivielle'.

Sangen lyder triviel.

The song sounds banal.

Adjective used as a predicative.

Det er ikke en triviel sag.

It is not a trivial matter.

Negation with 'ikke'.

Jeg kan ikke lide trivielle film.

I do not like banal movies.

Plural form 'trivielle'.

Hendes hverdag blev hurtigt triviel.

Her everyday life quickly became monotonous.

Adverb 'hurtigt' modifying the verb phrase.

Vi løste de trivielle opgaver først.

We solved the trivial tasks first.

Definite plural 'trivielle'.

Det virker som et trivielt problem.

It seems like a trivial problem.

Verb 'virker' (seems).

Filmen var desværre ret triviel.

The movie was unfortunately quite banal.

Adverb 'ret' (quite).

Jeg er træt af mit trivielle liv.

I am tired of my monotonous life.

Possessive 'mit' requires neuter 'trivielle' (definite form rule).

Svaret var helt trivielt.

The answer was completely trivial.

Adverb 'helt' (completely).

Hun skriver om trivielle emner.

She writes about trivial topics.

Plural 'emner' leads to 'trivielle'.

Er det her en triviel fejl?

Is this a trivial error?

Interrogative sentence.

Plottet i romanen var alt for trivielt for min smag.

The plot in the novel was far too banal for my taste.

Comparison 'alt for' (far too).

Han gav en triviel forklaring på uheldet.

He gave a trivial explanation for the accident.

Common gender 'forklaring'.

Mange finder havearbejde trivielt, men jeg elsker det.

Many find gardening monotonous, but I love it.

Object complement structure.

Det er en triviel observation, som alle har gjort.

It is a trivial observation that everyone has made.

Relative clause 'som alle har gjort'.

Undervisningen blev triviel efter de første to uger.

The teaching became monotonous after the first two weeks.

Prepositional phrase 'efter de første to uger'.

Vi må undgå de mest trivielle løsninger.

We must avoid the most trivial solutions.

Superlative 'de mest'.

Hendes kunst er aldrig triviel.

Her art is never banal.

Adverb 'aldrig' (never).

Kan vi springe de trivielle detaljer over?

Can we skip the trivial details?

Phrasal verb 'springe over'.

Forfatteren formår at gøre det trivielle spændende.

The author manages to make the mundane exciting.

Substantivized adjective 'det trivielle'.

Arbejdet består mest af trivielle administrative opgaver.

The work consists mostly of trivial administrative tasks.

Adjective stack: 'trivielle administrative'.

Det er en triviel sandhed, at penge ikke gør en lykkelig.

It is a banal truth that money doesn't make one happy.

Apposition 'at penge ikke...'.

Selskabet var præget af triviel småsnak.

The party was characterized by trivial small talk.

Passive construction 'præget af'.

Han følte, at hans tilværelse var blevet alt for triviel.

He felt that his existence had become far too monotonous.

Past perfect 'var blevet'.

Kritikeren kaldte forestillingen for 'triviel og uoriginal'.

The critic called the performance 'banal and unoriginal'.

Quotation of adjectives.

Selv de mest trivielle hændelser kan have stor betydning.

Even the most trivial events can have great significance.

Concessive 'Selv de mest'.

Vi skal ikke lade os begrænse af trivielle bekymringer.

We should not let ourselves be limited by trivial concerns.

Reflexive 'lade os begrænse'.

Modernitetens krise bunder ofte i det trivielle livs tomhed.

The crisis of modernity is often rooted in the emptiness of mundane life.

Genitive 'det trivielle livs'.

I matematik er dette bevis betragtet som trivielt.

In mathematics, this proof is considered trivial.

Academic register.

Romanen dekonstruerer de trivielle magtstrukturer i familien.

The novel deconstructs the trivial power structures in the family.

Verbal 'dekonstruerer'.

Det ville være trivielt at påstå, at verden er uretfærdig.

It would be trivial to claim that the world is unfair.

Conditional 'ville være'.

Hendes poesi løfter sig over det trivielle sprog.

Her poetry rises above mundane language.

Metaphorical usage.

Man må ikke forveksle det trivielle med det enkle.

One must not confuse the trivial with the simple.

Comparison of substantivized adjectives.

Diskussionen forblev på et trivielt niveau uden dybde.

The discussion remained at a trivial level without depth.

Prepositional phrase 'på et trivielt niveau'.

Han beskrev sin barndom som en række trivielle begivenheder.

He described his childhood as a series of trivial events.

Noun phrase 'en række trivielle begivenheder'.

Eksistentialismen søger at overvinde den trivielle immanens.

Existentialism seeks to overcome trivial immanence.

Philosophical terminology.

Værkets geni ligger i dets evne til at ophøje det trivielle.

The work's genius lies in its ability to sublime the mundane.

Genitive 'Værkets' and 'dets'.

Det er en triviel konstatering, der savner analytisk bid.

It is a trivial observation that lacks analytical bite.

Metaphorical 'analytisk bid'.

Manuskriptet var gennemsyret af trivielle klicheer.

The manuscript was permeated with banal clichés.

Participle 'gennemsyret'.

At kalde hans bidrag for trivielt ville være en underdrivelse.

To call his contribution trivial would be an understatement.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

Han navigerede ubesværet gennem de trivielle diplomatiske protokoller.

He navigated effortlessly through the trivial diplomatic protocols.

Adverb 'ubesværet'.

Sproget forfalder til det trivielle, når tanken udebliver.

Language decays into the trivial when thought is absent.

Conditional 'når tanken udebliver'.

Der findes ingen trivielle sandheder i denne videnskab.

There are no trivial truths in this science.

Negative existential 'Der findes ingen'.

Collocations courantes

trivielle opgaver

en triviel hverdag

et trivielt plot

triviel småsnak

en triviel løsning

trivielle detaljer

føle sig triviel

triviel litteratur

et trivielt emne

triviel gentagelse

Phrases Courantes

Det er helt trivielt

— It is completely obvious or uninteresting.

At solen står op i øst, er helt trivielt.

En triviel sandhed

— A cliché or a truth that everyone knows.

Det er en triviel sandhed, at man skal spise sundt.

Triviel hverdagskunst

— Art that depicts ordinary, mundane life.

Udstillingen handlede om triviel hverdagskunst.

At sidde fast i det trivielle

— To be stuck in a boring routine.

Han var bange for at sidde fast i det trivielle.

Helt igennem triviel

— Boring through and through.

Hans præstation var helt igennem triviel.

Trivielle bekymringer

— Small, everyday worries.

Glem dine trivielle bekymringer for en stund.

En triviel bemærkning

— A banal or unimportant comment.

Hun kom med en triviel bemærkning om vejret.

Triviel underholdning

— Mindless or unoriginal entertainment.

Reality-tv er ofte bare triviel underholdning.

Langt fra triviel

— Very interesting or complex (the opposite).

Denne sag er faktisk langt fra triviel.

En triviel eksistens

— A monotonous or uninspired life.

Han frygtede at leve en triviel eksistens.

Souvent confondu avec

triviel vs ubetydelig

Means 'unimportant'. This is what English 'trivial' usually translates to.

triviel vs trist

Means 'sad'. A 'triviel' life can be 'trist', but they aren't the same.

triviel vs enkel

Means 'simple'. Something simple is easy; something triviel is boringly common.

Expressions idiomatiques

"At koge suppe på en pølsepind"

— To make something out of nothing (often used when a trivial thing is made important).

Journalisterne kogte suppe på en pølsepind over den trivielle hændelse.

Informal

"Det er ikke raketvidenskab"

— It's not rocket science (it's trivial/simple).

Det her arbejde er ikke raketvidenskab, det er ret trivielt.

Informal

"At gå i selvsving"

— To get carried away (often over something trivial).

Han gik i selvsving over en triviel detalje.

Informal

"En storm i et glas vand"

— A storm in a teacup (big fuss over something trivial).

Hele skandalen var bare en storm i et glas vand over noget trivielt.

Neutral

"At skære alle over én kam"

— To treat everyone the same (leading to trivial generalizations).

Han skar alle over én kam med sin trivielle kritik.

Neutral

"At tale for døve ører"

— To talk to deaf ears (happens if your speech is too triviel).

Hans trivielle argumenter talte for døve ører.

Neutral

"At træde i vande"

— To tread water (making no progress, staying in the trivial).

Projektet har trådt i vande med trivielle rettelser i ugevis.

Neutral

"At piske en stemning op"

— To whip up an atmosphere (often over trivial issues).

De piskede en stemning op over en triviel parkeringsbøde.

Neutral

"At se skoven for bare træer"

— Not seeing the forest for the trees (getting lost in trivial details).

Han tabte overblikket og så kun de trivielle detaljer.

Neutral

"At gøre en myg til en elefant"

— To make a mountain out of a molehill.

Du gør en myg til en elefant over denne trivielle fejl.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

triviel vs trivial

English false friend.

English 'trivial' = unimportant. Danish 'triviel' = monotonous/banal.

A trivial matter (English) vs. En triviel hverdag (Danish).

triviel vs banal

Very similar meanings.

Banal is even more negative, implying a lack of intelligence or depth. Triviel is more about repetition.

En banal kliche vs. En triviel opgave.

triviel vs monoton

Both mean repetitive.

Monoton is often about sound or rhythm. Triviel is about the quality of the content.

En monoton stemme vs. En triviel samtale.

triviel vs kedelig

Both mean boring.

Kedelig is general. Triviel is specific to things that are boring because they are common or repetitive.

En kedelig film vs. Et trivielt plot.

triviel vs ligegyldig

Both can mean uninteresting.

Ligegyldig means you don't care. Triviel means it lacks originality.

En ligegyldig person vs. En triviel bemærkning.

Structures de phrases

Min [noun] er triviel.

Min hverdag er triviel.

Jeg finder [noun] triviel.

Jeg finder filmen triviel.

Det er en triviel [noun].

Det er en triviel opgave.

Selvom [noun] er [adj], er det ofte trivielt.

Selvom emnet er vigtigt, er det ofte trivielt.

At [verb] er en triviel handling.

At vaske op er en triviel handling.

Det trivielle ved [noun] er...

Det trivielle ved bureaukratiet er gentagelsen.

Gennem det trivielle ser vi...

Gennem det trivielle ser vi sandheden.

Uden at være triviel, kan man sige...

Uden at være triviel, kan man sige at livet er kort.

Famille de mots

Noms

trivialitet (triviality)

triviallitteratur (pulp fiction)

Verbes

trivialisere (to trivialize)

Adjectifs

triviel (monotonous/banal)

Apparenté

banalitet

hverdag

monotoni

rutine

kliche

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in written Danish, especially in journalism and reviews. Less common in daily slang.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'triviel' for 'unimportant'. → ubetydelig
English 'trivial' is 'ubetydelig'. Danish 'triviel' is 'banal/monotonous'.
Spelling plural as 'triviele'. → trivielle
Adjectives in -el must double the 'l' and drop the 'e' in plural.
Using 'triviel' to mean 'sad'. → trist
'Triviel' describes a lack of variety, not necessarily a feeling of sadness.
Stress on the first syllable. → Stress on 'viel'.
The stress should be on the second syllable: tri-VIEL.
Using 'trivielt' for common gender nouns. → triviel
Common gender (en-words) use 'triviel'. Neuter (et-words) use 'trivielt'.

Astuces

The -el Rule

Adjectives ending in -el (like triviel, ædel, simpel) change their stem in plural. Drop the 'e' before the 'l' and add 'le'. So: triviel -> trivielle.

Avoiding False Friends

Always remember: if you want to say a mistake is small, don't say 'triviel'. Say 'en lille fejl' or 'en ubetydelig fejl'.

Academic Tone

Using 'triviel' in an essay about literature or society will instantly elevate your register to C1/C2 levels.

Pronunciation Stress

Danish words ending in -el often have the stress on the last syllable. Say it out loud: tri-VIEL.

Workplace Usage

If you are a manager, be careful using this word with employees. It can sound like you don't value their creative contribution.

Recognizing Nuance

When reading, look for what is being called 'triviel'. Is it a plot? A task? A life? This helps you understand the author's critique.

The Three Roads

Remember the Latin 'tri-via' (three roads). A crossroads is where everyone meets—it's common, it's 'triviel'.

Substantivizing

You can use 'det trivielle' as a noun meaning 'the mundane'. This is very common in philosophical or cultural writing.

Math Context

In a university setting, if a professor says a proof is 'trivielt', they mean it's so easy it doesn't need explaining.

Danish Values

Danes hate 'triviel' work. They value 'selvstændighed' (independence) and 'kreativitet' (creativity) even in simple jobs.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'TRIVIA' game. Trivia is about facts that are common or simple. 'Triviel' is when life feels like a repetitive trivia game you've played too many times.

Association visuelle

Imagine a hamster in a wheel. The wheel keeps turning, the scenery never changes. That is a 'triviel' existence.

Word Web

monoton banal kedelig hverdag rutine gentagelse uoriginal forudsigelig

Défi

Try to describe your most boring chore using 'triviel' three times today. For example: 'Det er trivielt at vaske op'.

Origine du mot

From Latin 'trivialis' which comes from 'trivium' (a place where three roads meet).

Sens originel : Belonging to the crossroads; hence common, ordinary, or vulgar.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Latin -> Danish (via French/German).

Contexte culturel

Calling someone's work 'trivielt' is a significant insult to their creativity.

English speakers must be careful not to use 'triviel' when they mean 'unimportant'. Use 'ubetydelig' for that.

Pontoppidan's 'Lykke-Per' (describing mundane provincial life) Søren Kierkegaard (concept of boredom/the aesthetic stage) Triviallitteratur (a term for low-brow popular fiction)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Workplace

trivielle opgaver
rutinepræget arbejde
daglig trummerum
effektivisere det trivielle

Film/Book Reviews

trivielt plot
uoriginale karakterer
forudsigelig slutning
banal dialog

Mathematics

triviel løsning
trivielt bevis
trivielt tilfælde
matematisk set trivielt

Social Life

triviel småsnak
hverdagens trivialiteter
kedelig samtale
overfladisk kontakt

Philosophy

det trivielle liv
hverdagens monotoni
eksistentiel tomhed
at hæve sig over det trivielle

Amorces de conversation

"Hvad er den mest trivielle opgave, du har på dit arbejde?"

"Synes du, at moderne film er blevet for trivielle og forudsigelige?"

"Hvordan undgår du, at din hverdag bliver for triviel?"

"Er der nogle 'trivielle sandheder', som du faktisk synes er dybe?"

"Hvad er forskellen på noget, der er enkelt, og noget, der er trivielt?"

Sujets d'écriture

Beskriv en dag i dit liv, der føltes utrolig triviel. Hvad gjorde den sådan?

Reflektér over begrebet 'triviel litteratur'. Er det altid dårligt?

Hvordan kan vi finde skønhed i de trivielle detaljer i vores omgivelser?

Skriv om en gang, hvor du troede noget var trivielt, men det viste sig at være vigtigt.

Diskutér om teknologi gør vores liv mere eller mindre trivielle.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In most everyday contexts, yes. It describes things that lack variety or excitement. However, in mathematics, it means 'obvious' or 'basic'.

Generally, yes. It suggests a lack of creativity or depth. However, it can be used neutrally in science or to describe routine tasks that simply 'are' what they are.

It is rare and quite insulting. It would imply the person is unoriginal and predictable. It's better to describe their actions or speech as triviel.

The plural is 'trivielle'. You must remember to double the 'l' and add 'e', while dropping the internal 'e' from the stem.

No, they are false friends. English 'trivial' means 'unimportant'. Danish 'triviel' means 'monotonous' or 'banal'. For 'unimportant', use 'ubetydelig'.

Use 'triviel' when you want to emphasize that the boredom comes from repetition, lack of originality, or being commonplace. Use it in writing or formal speech.

Yes! For example, backing up your data is very important, but the process of doing it every day is 'triviel'.

It appears in lyrics that discuss the boredom of suburban life or the 'hamster wheel' of society.

It is a somewhat derogatory term for popular fiction (like romance novels or thrillers) that follows a predictable formula.

Yes, to describe routine administrative work ('trivielle opgaver') that doesn't require specialized skills.

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