Meaning
To have an opportunity to be heard.
Cultural Background
In Danish schools, 'at komme til orde' is a graded skill. Students are evaluated on their ability to participate in class discussions. The 'Flat Hierarchy' means that even the most junior employee is expected to 'komme til orde' during brainstorming sessions. The 'Folketing' has very strict rules about who 'har ordet' (has the floor), but 'at komme til orde' is used in the media to describe if the debate is fair. Danes can be quite direct. If they feel they aren't being heard, they will explicitly say 'Jeg vil gerne have lov at komme til orde'.
Use 'lige'
Adding 'lige' (just) makes the request much more natural: 'Må jeg lige komme til orde?'
The 'e' is vital
If you say 'komme til ord', Danes will understand you, but it sounds like a child speaking. Always include the 'e'.
Meaning
To have an opportunity to be heard.
Use 'lige'
Adding 'lige' (just) makes the request much more natural: 'Må jeg lige komme til orde?'
The 'e' is vital
If you say 'komme til ord', Danes will understand you, but it sounds like a child speaking. Always include the 'e'.
Don't wait too long
In Danish culture, 'at komme til orde' sometimes requires a bit of assertiveness. If you wait for total silence, you might never speak!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word in the idiom.
Det var så meget larm, at jeg ikke kunne komme til ______.
The idiom always uses the fixed form 'orde'.
Which sentence is most natural for a business meeting?
How do you ask for a turn to speak?
This is a polite and professional way to ask for space in a conversation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hvordan gik mødet? B: Ikke så godt. Chefen talte hele tiden, så jeg ______.
The context implies a struggle to speak, making 'kom aldrig til orde' the best fit.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A moderator in a TV debate wants to let a guest speak.
This is the standard way for a moderator to introduce a speaker who has been waiting.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDet var så meget larm, at jeg ikke kunne komme til ______.
The idiom always uses the fixed form 'orde'.
How do you ask for a turn to speak?
This is a polite and professional way to ask for space in a conversation.
A: Hvordan gik mødet? B: Ikke så godt. Chefen talte hele tiden, så jeg ______.
The context implies a struggle to speak, making 'kom aldrig til orde' the best fit.
Situation: A moderator in a TV debate wants to let a guest speak.
This is the standard way for a moderator to introduce a speaker who has been waiting.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsOnly in this phrase and a few others. It's an old version of 'ord'. You can't use it by itself.
Yes, if you are describing a meeting that happened. 'Jeg følte ikke, at jeg kom til orde i går.'
'At få ordet' is usually when a leader gives you permission. 'At komme til orde' is when you find the space to speak yourself.
No, it's quite standard, but adding 'lige' or 'undskyld' makes it softer.
Related Phrases
at få ordet
similarTo be given the floor.
at tage ordet
similarTo take the floor.
at have ordet
builds onTo have the floor.
at få ørenlyd
similarTo get people to listen/be quiet.
at tie ihjel
contrastTo silence someone by ignoring them.
