A1 Expression ニュートラル

det var ikke meningen

I did not mean to

意味

Apologizing for an accident.

🌍

文化的背景

Danes value 'direct but polite' communication. Saying 'det var ikke meningen' is often enough to settle a dispute without further drama. In Greenlandic Danish, the phrase is used similarly, but social harmony is even more critical in small communities. In Danish offices, admitting a mistake with this phrase is seen as a sign of honesty and maturity, not weakness. Younger Danes might shorten it or use 'My bad' (English) in very casual settings, but 'det var ikke meningen' remains the respectful standard.

💡

Add 'Hov'

Starting with 'Hov' (Whoops) makes the apology sound more natural and immediate.

⚠️

Don't over-explain

Danes prefer a short 'det var ikke meningen' over a long list of excuses.

意味

Apologizing for an accident.

💡

Add 'Hov'

Starting with 'Hov' (Whoops) makes the apology sound more natural and immediate.

⚠️

Don't over-explain

Danes prefer a short 'det var ikke meningen' over a long list of excuses.

🎯

Body Language

A small shrug or a concerned look helps convey sincerity better than the words alone.

💬

The 'Hygge' Saver

Use this phrase to quickly move past awkward moments and get back to the 'hygge'.

自分をテスト

Fill in the missing word to complete the apology.

Undskyld, det ___ ikke meningen.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: var

We use the past tense 'var' because the accident has already happened.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I didn't mean to hurt you'?

Choose the best option:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Det var ikke meningen at såre dig.

The pattern is 'Det var ikke meningen' + 'at' + infinitive verb.

Match the phrase to the correct situation.

Situation: You accidentally deleted a file at work.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Det var ikke meningen at slette filen.

'Slette filen' means 'delete the file'.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Du trådte mig over tæerne! B: Hov, undskyld! ________.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Det var ikke meningen

B is apologizing for stepping on A's toes.

🎉 スコア: /4

ビジュアル学習ツール

練習問題バンク

4 問題
Fill in the missing word to complete the apology. Fill Blank A1

Undskyld, det ___ ikke meningen.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: var

We use the past tense 'var' because the accident has already happened.

Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I didn't mean to hurt you'? Choose A2

Choose the best option:

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Det var ikke meningen at såre dig.

The pattern is 'Det var ikke meningen' + 'at' + infinitive verb.

Match the phrase to the correct situation. situation_matching A2

Situation: You accidentally deleted a file at work.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Det var ikke meningen at slette filen.

'Slette filen' means 'delete the file'.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A1

A: Du trådte mig over tæerne! B: Hov, undskyld! ________.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Det var ikke meningen

B is apologizing for stepping on A's toes.

🎉 スコア: /4

よくある質問

12 問

Yes, in very casual speech or texting, you can drop 'det var'.

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.

'Undskyld' is 'Sorry'. 'Det var ikke meningen' is 'I didn't mean to'. You usually use both together.

Yes, 'Det var ikke meningen at komme for sent' is very common.

You can say 'Det var ikke meningen at gøre *det*'.

In this specific phrase, yes. You never say 'en mening'.

Well, the phrase works, but that's a moral question, not a linguistic one!

Yes, 'Det var en stavefejl, det var ikke meningen'.

No, unlike 'Det var ikke med vilje', which can sound a bit like a child, this is adult and polite.

You can say 'Det er okay' or 'Det gør ikke noget'.

Rarely. You would usually say 'Det er ikke meningen at...' for future plans.

Yes, many Danish pop songs use it to describe relationship mistakes.

関連フレーズ

🔄

det var et uheld

synonym

It was an accident

🔗

jeg mente det ikke

similar

I didn't mean it

🔄

det var ikke med vilje

synonym

It wasn't on purpose

🔗

undskyld

builds on

Sorry / Excuse me

🔗

beklager

specialized form

I regret / I apologize

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