Meaning
Laughing very intensely.
Cultural Background
Danes love 'plat' (low-brow) humor. Phrases involving body parts like 'bagdel' are very common and not as taboo as in some other cultures. Similar idioms exist across the region, reflecting a shared linguistic heritage of using physical metaphors for emotional states. Younger Danes will almost exclusively use 'røv' instead of 'bagdel' to sound more authentic and less 'proper.' In many Danish workplaces, the hierarchy is flat, and slang like this is often used between bosses and employees during lunch.
Master the Reflexive
Always double-check your reflexive pronoun. If you say 'hans bagdel,' people will look around to see whose butt you are laughing at!
The 'Røv' Factor
If you want to sound truly 'Copenhagen cool,' use 'røv.' If you're at a family dinner, stick to 'bagdel.'
Meaning
Laughing very intensely.
Master the Reflexive
Always double-check your reflexive pronoun. If you say 'hans bagdel,' people will look around to see whose butt you are laughing at!
The 'Røv' Factor
If you want to sound truly 'Copenhagen cool,' use 'røv.' If you're at a family dinner, stick to 'bagdel.'
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Han grinede ___ bagdel i laser.
Because 'Han' is the subject, you must use the reflexive possessive 'sin'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a casual chat with friends?
How would you say 'I laughed so much'?
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match the Danish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are all common Danish laughter idioms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Så du den video med katten?' B: 'Ja! Jeg ____ min bagdel i laser!'
The past tense 'grinede' fits best as the person is talking about a video they already saw.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHan grinede ___ bagdel i laser.
Because 'Han' is the subject, you must use the reflexive possessive 'sin'.
How would you say 'I laughed so much'?
This is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are all common Danish laughter idioms.
A: 'Så du den video med katten?' B: 'Ja! Jeg ____ min bagdel i laser!'
The past tense 'grinede' fits best as the person is talking about a video they already saw.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNot necessarily. It's a neutral, slightly clinical but polite word for buttocks. It's much safer than 'røv' but less formal than 'sædepartiet.'
No, it's too informal. Use 'Det var meget morsomt' or 'Vi morede os meget.'
It's an old Danish way of saying something is completely worn out or destroyed. It adds a dramatic, funny effect.
It is always 'i laser.' Using 'til' is a common mistake for learners.
Related Phrases
at grine sin røv i laser
synonymThe more vulgar version of the phrase.
at dø af grin
similarTo die of laughter.
at knække sammen af grin
similarTo double over with laughter.
at grine hele vejen til banken
contrastTo laugh all the way to the bank.
