Meaning
To not reveal a secret.
Cultural Background
Trust is the foundation of Danish society. 'At holde tæt' is not just about secrets; it's about being a 'pålidelig' (reliable) person. Breaking a confidence is often seen as a major character flaw. Danish workplaces are flat, meaning information flows more freely than in hierarchical cultures. Consequently, the expectation to 'holde tæt' is a sign of being treated as an equal. In the age of oversharing, 'at holde tæt' has gained a new status as a rare and valued trait among younger Danes who value 'digital diskretion'. The concept is codified in law as 'tavshedspligt'. While 'at holde tæt' is the everyday term, the legal obligation is very strict in Denmark.
The 'Med' Rule
Always remember to use 'med' if you mention the secret itself. 'Jeg holder tæt med det'.
Don't say 'holde tæt på'
English speakers often say 'hold tight on', but in Danish, 'på' is incorrect here.
Meaning
To not reveal a secret.
The 'Med' Rule
Always remember to use 'med' if you mention the secret itself. 'Jeg holder tæt med det'.
Don't say 'holde tæt på'
English speakers often say 'hold tight on', but in Danish, 'på' is incorrect here.
Past Tense Mastery
Using 'holdt' (past) correctly will make you sound much more like a native speaker.
Test Yourself
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Jeg kan godt fortælle dig det, hvis du lover at holde ____.
'Holde tæt' er det faste udtryk for at bevare en hemmelighed.
Hvilken sætning bruger den rigtige præposition?
Vælg den korrekte sætning:
Man bruger 'med' til at introducere det, man holder hemmeligt.
Færdiggør dialogen så den lyder naturlig.
A: 'Ved Peter at vi har købt en ny bil?' B: 'Nej, jeg har ____ ____ indtil videre.'
B svarer, at han ikke har fortalt det endnu.
Match situationen med det rigtige udtryk.
En kollega fortæller dig om en fortrolig sag. Hvad siger du?
Dette bekræfter, at du vil bevare fortroligheden.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg kan godt fortælle dig det, hvis du lover at holde ____.
'Holde tæt' er det faste udtryk for at bevare en hemmelighed.
Vælg den korrekte sætning:
Man bruger 'med' til at introducere det, man holder hemmeligt.
A: 'Ved Peter at vi har købt en ny bil?' B: 'Nej, jeg har ____ ____ indtil videre.'
B svarer, at han ikke har fortalt det endnu.
En kollega fortæller dig om en fortrolig sag. Hvad siger du?
Dette bekræfter, at du vil bevare fortroligheden.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is a neutral and respectful way to talk about secrets. It's much softer than 'hold kæft'.
Yes, but usually as 'beholderen holder tæt'. When used with people, it's almost always about information.
'Holde tæt' is about a secret. 'Holde mund' is about the act of not speaking (often used as 'shut up').
Yes, it's a great way to describe yourself as a discreet and reliable employee.
Both are used, but 'med' is more common for specific information, while 'om' is used for general topics.
You can say 'Jeg er dårlig til at holde tæt'.
Yes, 'at klappe i' is more informal/slangy.
No, it implies silence, not necessarily deception.
Absolutely, it's the most common phrase for surprise parties.
The 'd' is silent. It sounds like 'holt'.
Related Phrases
at holde mund
synonymTo keep one's mouth shut.
at tie stille
similarTo be quiet.
at klappe i som en østers
specialized formTo shut up like an oyster.
at tale over sig
contrastTo accidentally reveal a secret.
tavshedspligt
builds onProfessional duty of confidentiality.
