Bedeutung
Feeling empathy.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Danes value 'ligefremhed' (directness). Expressing 'ondt af' is a way to be direct about your feelings without being overly dramatic. In Danish offices, acknowledging a colleague's struggle with this phrase is seen as a sign of a good team player. On Danish Facebook or Instagram, 'ondt af' is the standard 'empathy' comment, often accompanied by heart emojis. Danish parents use this phrase to validate a child's feelings, teaching empathy from a young age.
The 'Af' Rule
Always remember 'af' for empathy. If you say 'for', Danes will understand you, but it marks you as a learner.
Self-Pity Trap
Be careful using 'ondt af mig selv' too much; Danes value resilience and might find it annoying if overused.
Bedeutung
Feeling empathy.
The 'Af' Rule
Always remember 'af' for empathy. If you say 'for', Danes will understand you, but it marks you as a learner.
Self-Pity Trap
Be careful using 'ondt af mig selv' too much; Danes value resilience and might find it annoying if overused.
Intensifiers
Use 'rigtig' or 'virkelig' to show you truly care. 'Jeg har RIGTIG ondt af ham' sounds much warmer.
The 'Stakkels' Combo
Pair it with 'stakkels' for maximum effect: 'Jeg har så ondt af den stakkels mand'.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg har virkelig ondt ___ hende efter ulykken.
The phrase 'at have ondt af' always uses the preposition 'af'.
Which sentence expresses self-pity correctly?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
We use 'at have ondt af' + the reflexive pronoun 'sig selv' for self-pity.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Hvilken frase passer til: 'Din ven har mistet sin pung'?
You feel sorry for your friend, so you have 'ondt af' them.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Min hund er løbet væk. B: Ej, hvor ___!
B is expressing sympathy for A.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ondt i vs. Ondt af
When to have 'ondt af'
Misfortune
- • Lost job
- • Broken bike
- • Bad weather
Sadness
- • Breakup
- • Loneliness
- • Grief
Illness
- • Flu
- • Broken leg
- • Cold
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenJeg har virkelig ondt ___ hende efter ulykken.
The phrase 'at have ondt af' always uses the preposition 'af'.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
We use 'at have ondt af' + the reflexive pronoun 'sig selv' for self-pity.
Hvilken frase passer til: 'Din ven har mistet sin pung'?
You feel sorry for your friend, so you have 'ondt af' them.
A: Min hund er løbet væk. B: Ej, hvor ___!
B is expressing sympathy for A.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, for physical pain use 'at have ondt i' followed by the body part.
Usually no, it's very kind. But in some cases, it can sound like you are looking down on someone.
'Medfølelse' is the formal noun for compassion. 'At have ondt af' is the everyday verb phrase.
Use 'Jeg har ondt af mig selv'.
Yes, it is very common to have 'ondt af' a sick or mistreated animal.
Yes: 'Jeg havde ondt af ham'.
No, in this context it only means 'pain' or 'bad feeling'.
Yes, if 'det' refers to a situation or an animal/person mentioned before.
It's a bit casual. In a formal email, 'Jeg føler med jer' or 'Min dybeste medfølelse' is better.
It's a slang term for being jealous or bitter. Don't mix them up!
Verwandte Redewendungen
at synes synd på
synonymTo think it's a pity for someone
at føle med
similarTo feel with / empathize
at have medfølelse med
formalTo have compassion for
stakkels
relatedPoor (as in 'poor you')
at have ondt i røven
contrastTo be bitter/jealous
selvmedlidenhed
builds onSelf-pity
