Meaning
Having nothing left of something.
Cultural Background
Coffee is culturally vital. Running out of coffee (at løbe tør for kaffe) is often joked about as a national crisis. The concept of 'overskud' (mental energy) is frequently used with this phrase to signal burnout in a socially acceptable way. In remote areas of Greenland, 'løbe tør for' can have more serious connotations regarding supply ships and essential goods. Danes value efficiency. Running out of something is often seen as a failure of 'planlægning' (planning). Young Danes use 'løbe tør for data' constantly, reflecting the high level of digitalization in the country.
The 'Empty' Shortcut
If someone asks if you want more of something, you can just say 'Jeg er løbet tør' without adding 'for [thing]'.
Auxiliary Alert
Never say 'Jeg har løbet tør'. It marks you as a beginner immediately. Always use 'er'.
Meaning
Having nothing left of something.
The 'Empty' Shortcut
If someone asks if you want more of something, you can just say 'Jeg er løbet tør' without adding 'for [thing]'.
Auxiliary Alert
Never say 'Jeg har løbet tør'. It marks you as a beginner immediately. Always use 'er'.
The Overskud Factor
Using 'løbe tør for overskud' is a very polite way to decline a social invitation when you are tired.
Battery Life
For batteries, you can also say 'batteriet er fladt', but 'løbet tør for strøm' is more common for the device itself.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to say 'We have run out of coffee'.
Vi ___ løbet ___ ___ kaffe.
Remember to use 'er' as the auxiliary and 'tør for' as the phrase.
Which sentence is correct?
A: Jeg løber tør for tid. B: Jeg løber tør af tid.
The correct preposition is always 'for'.
Match the resource to the situation.
1. Bilen... 2. Mobilen... 3. Eleven...
Cars run out of gas, phones out of power, and students (or teachers) out of patience.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi bage en kage? B: Nej, vi er ___ ___ ___ mel.
The perfect tense 'er løbet tør for' is needed here.
Use the past tense of 'løbe'.
I går ___ vi tør for mælk.
The past tense of 'at løbe' is 'løb'.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
What can you run out of?
Physical
- • Mælk
- • Benzin
- • Penge
Abstract
- • Tid
- • Tålmodighed
- • Idéer
Digital
- • Strøm
- • Data
- • Plads
Practice Bank
5 exercisesVi ___ løbet ___ ___ kaffe.
Remember to use 'er' as the auxiliary and 'tør for' as the phrase.
A: Jeg løber tør for tid. B: Jeg løber tør af tid.
The correct preposition is always 'for'.
1. Bilen... 2. Mobilen... 3. Eleven...
Cars run out of gas, phones out of power, and students (or teachers) out of patience.
A: Skal vi bage en kage? B: Nej, vi er ___ ___ ___ mel.
The perfect tense 'er løbet tør for' is needed here.
I går ___ vi tør for mælk.
The past tense of 'at løbe' is 'løb'.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, you cannot run out of people. Use 'der er ikke flere mennesker' or 'gæsterne er gået'.
It is always 'løbet tør' in this idiom. 'Tørt' is the neuter form of the adjective used in other contexts.
'Løbe tør' describes the process of losing the supply. 'Mangle' just means you don't have it right now.
Yes, 'at løbe tør for tid' is very common and natural.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
It's just a fixed prepositional rule for this collocation. 'Løbe tør af' is incorrect.
No, that means 'I am dry' (e.g., after a shower). You must include 'løbet'.
Use 'Jeg er ved at løbe tør for...'
Yes, 'at være flad' is common for money or energy.
Yes, 'Jeg er løbet tør for vand'.
Yes, 'at løbe tør for held' is a common figurative expression.
In Denmark, cars use 'benzin'. 'Gas' usually refers to natural gas for heating or cooking.
Related Phrases
at slippe op
synonymTo be used up
at mangle
similarTo lack
at have overskud
contrastTo have a surplus
at gå tørskoet
builds onTo walk dry-shod
at være flad
specialized formTo be broke/empty
