Meaning
Monitoring the time.
Cultural Background
Punctuality is a sign of respect. Arriving late without a text is considered quite rude. Meetings in Denmark have a strict 'agenda' and 'timeframe'. 'Time-keeping' is a valued skill. Paradoxically, during 'hygge', you are expected to *stop* watching the clock. Danish trains (DSB) are generally reliable, so people 'hold øje med tiden' down to the minute.
Use 'Lidt'
Adding 'lidt' (a little) makes you sound more native and less stressed: 'Jeg skal lige holde lidt øje med tiden'.
The 'Med' Trap
Never use 'på'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Meaning
Monitoring the time.
Use 'Lidt'
Adding 'lidt' (a little) makes you sound more native and less stressed: 'Jeg skal lige holde lidt øje med tiden'.
The 'Med' Trap
Never use 'på'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition.
Jeg skal huske at holde øje ____ tiden.
The phrase 'at holde øje' always takes the preposition 'med'.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the natural Danish sentence:
The idiom uses singular 'øje' and the preposition 'med'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi gå nu? B: Ja, vi skal ____ ____ ____ ____, så vi når bussen.
This is the most natural way to express the need to monitor the clock for a bus.
Match the phrase to the best situation.
When would you say 'Jeg glemte at holde øje med tiden'?
It's a common excuse for losing track of time.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Holde øje med tiden'
Work
- • Meetings
- • Deadlines
- • Lunch breaks
Home
- • Cooking
- • Bedtime
- • Laundry
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg skal huske at holde øje ____ tiden.
The phrase 'at holde øje' always takes the preposition 'med'.
Choose the natural Danish sentence:
The idiom uses singular 'øje' and the preposition 'med'.
A: Skal vi gå nu? B: Ja, vi skal ____ ____ ____ ____, så vi når bussen.
This is the most natural way to express the need to monitor the clock for a bus.
When would you say 'Jeg glemte at holde øje med tiden'?
It's a common excuse for losing track of time.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, that is also very common and means 'keep an eye on the watch/clock'. It is more literal.
No, it is actually seen as professional in Denmark to ensure the meeting stays on schedule.
It's an idiomatic fixed expression. Just like in English we say 'keep an eye' (singular), not 'keep eyes'.
Related Phrases
At være i god tid
similarTo be early.
At løbe tør for tid
similarTo run out of time.
At tage sig god tid
contrastTo take one's time/not rush.
At fordrive tiden
contrastTo kill time.
