Meaning
To not change one's mind.
Cultural Background
In Danish 'foreningsliv' (club life), holding fast to an opinion is respected if it leads to a better democratic discussion, but frowned upon if it blocks a 'kompromis'. In Greenlandic culture, direct confrontation is often avoided. 'Holding fast' might be expressed more through silence or actions than through verbal debate. Across Scandinavia, there is a high value on 'authenticity'. Sticking to your guns is seen as being 'true to yourself' (tro mod sig selv). Flat hierarchy means a junior employee can 'holde fast i sin mening' against a CEO if they have the data to back it up.
The 'Sin' Rule
Always check who the subject is. If it's 'I', use 'min'. If it's 'He', use 'sin'. This is the #1 mistake for B1 learners.
Don't be too 'fast'
If you use this phrase too much, you might sound like you are bragging about being stubborn. Use it sparingly!
Meaning
To not change one's mind.
The 'Sin' Rule
Always check who the subject is. If it's 'I', use 'min'. If it's 'He', use 'sin'. This is the #1 mistake for B1 learners.
Don't be too 'fast'
If you use this phrase too much, you might sound like you are bragging about being stubborn. Use it sparingly!
Preposition Power
Memorize 'holde fast i' as one single block. Don't try to translate 'in' or 'on' from your native language.
Test Yourself
Udfyld det manglende ord (husk at tænke på subjektet).
Jeg ved, jeg har ret, så jeg holder fast i ___ mening.
Subjektet er 'Jeg', så det beslægtede stedord skal være 'min'.
Hvilken præposition er korrekt?
Hun valgte at holde fast ___ sin mening.
Man holder fast 'i' noget i denne faste vending.
Match situationen med den bedste sætning.
En politiker bliver spurgt om en upopulær beslutning.
Politikere bruger ofte dette udtryk for at vise styrke og konsistens.
Hvad siger Peter?
Lise: 'Hvorfor ændrer du ikke mening? Alle andre siger noget andet!' Peter: 'Fordi jeg ___.'
Peter taler om sig selv (min) og bruger den korrekte præposition (i).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg ved, jeg har ret, så jeg holder fast i ___ mening.
Subjektet er 'Jeg', så det beslægtede stedord skal være 'min'.
Hun valgte at holde fast ___ sin mening.
Man holder fast 'i' noget i denne faste vending.
En politiker bliver spurgt om en upopulær beslutning.
Politikere bruger ofte dette udtryk for at vise styrke og konsistens.
Lise: 'Hvorfor ændrer du ikke mening? Alle andre siger noget andet!' Peter: 'Fordi jeg ___.'
Peter taler om sig selv (min) og bruger den korrekte præposition (i).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically no, but you will hear some Danes do it. To be safe and correct, always use 'i'.
It depends on the context. It can mean 'principled' (positive) or 'stubborn' (negative).
'At stå fast' is slightly more formal and implies you are immovable. 'At holde fast' implies you are actively gripping your idea.
Use the past tense of 'holde', which is 'holdt'. 'Jeg holdt fast i min mening.'
Yes! 'Vi holder fast i vores mening.'
Yes, but in this context, it specifically means 'opinion'.
Yes! You can hold fast to a 'beslutning' (decision) or 'overbevisning' (conviction) too.
Yes, it's a classic B1/B2 level expression used in the 'Prøve i Dansk 3'.
No, it's neutral and safe for work, school, and home.
You can say 'Han holder *alt for* fast i sin mening' (He sticks *way too much* to his opinion).
Related Phrases
at stå fast på
synonymTo stand firm on something.
at give efter
contrastTo give in / to yield.
at skifte mening
contrastTo change one's mind.
at være stædig
similarTo be stubborn.
