Meaning
Starting to speak in a meeting.
Cultural Background
In Danish weddings, it is common for many people to 'tage ordet.' There is often a 'toastmaster' who coordinates the order of speakers. In Greenlandic community meetings, 'taking the floor' often involves a long pause of silence beforehand to show respect for the previous speaker. Danish business culture is egalitarian. Even a junior employee is expected to 'tage ordet' if they have a valuable insight. In the Folketing (Danish Parliament), members must be granted 'ordet' by the speaker of the house.
The 'Pause' Technique
In Denmark, wait for a 1-second silence before taking the floor. It shows you were listening.
Don't say 'tage gulvet'
Even though you hear it in English movies, it sounds very wrong in Danish.
Meaning
Starting to speak in a meeting.
The 'Pause' Technique
In Denmark, wait for a 1-second silence before taking the floor. It shows you were listening.
Don't say 'tage gulvet'
Even though you hear it in English movies, it sounds very wrong in Danish.
Toastmaster Etiquette
At big parties, always check with the toastmaster before you 'tage ordet'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'tage' in the past tense.
Da alle var stille, ___ han ordet.
The sentence describes a completed action in the past ('When everyone was silent...'), so we use 'tog'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you ask for the floor in a meeting?
'At tage ordet' is the standard idiom. 'Gulvet' is an English-ism.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Match: 1. Bede om ordet, 2. Give ordet videre, 3. Tage ordet
Bede om = Ask for; Give videre = Pass on; Tage = Take/Start.
Complete the dialogue.
Ordstyrer: 'Er der flere kommentarer?' Peter: 'Ja, jeg vil gerne ___.'
Peter wants to take the floor to make a comment.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDa alle var stille, ___ han ordet.
The sentence describes a completed action in the past ('When everyone was silent...'), so we use 'tog'.
How do you ask for the floor in a meeting?
'At tage ordet' is the standard idiom. 'Gulvet' is an English-ism.
Match: 1. Bede om ordet, 2. Give ordet videre, 3. Tage ordet
Bede om = Ask for; Give videre = Pass on; Tage = Take/Start.
Ordstyrer: 'Er der flere kommentarer?' Peter: 'Ja, jeg vil gerne ___.'
Peter wants to take the floor to make a comment.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt's a bit formal. Better to say 'Jeg vil lige sige noget' (I just want to say something).
Not if there is a pause or if you are invited. It's expected in meetings!
'Tage' is active (you do it), 'Få' is passive (someone gives you permission).
You can say 'Jeg har ikke lyst til at tage ordet' or 'Jeg vil hellere lytte'.
Related Phrases
at få ordet
similarTo be given the floor
at have ordet
similarTo have the floor
at give ordet videre
builds onTo pass the floor to someone else
at afbryde
contrastTo interrupt
at føre ordet
specialized formTo be the spokesperson
