Meaning
To handle or manage a specific task or person.
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply linked to the 'tryghed' (security) of the Danish welfare model, where the state is expected to 'tage sig af' everyone. In Danish companies, 'at tage sig af noget' shows you have 'ja-hatten' (the yes-hat) on—meaning you are positive and proactive. Danish fathers are very involved. You will often hear men say 'Jeg tager mig af ungerne' as a natural part of daily life. Hygge isn't accidental; someone has to 'tage sig af' the details to make it happen.
The 'I've got it' shortcut
If someone asks 'Hvem gør det?', just say 'Jeg tager mig af det.' It's the most natural response.
Don't forget the 'sig'!
Leaving out 'sig' is the #1 mistake. It's like saying 'I take of it' in English—it sounds broken.
Meaning
To handle or manage a specific task or person.
The 'I've got it' shortcut
If someone asks 'Hvem gør det?', just say 'Jeg tager mig af det.' It's the most natural response.
Don't forget the 'sig'!
Leaving out 'sig' is the #1 mistake. It's like saying 'I take of it' in English—it sounds broken.
Use it for people too
Don't just use it for tasks. Use it to show you care about people. 'Jeg tager mig af dig' is very comforting.
Workplace initiative
In Denmark, saying 'Jeg tager mig af det' in a meeting will make you look very professional.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Jeg tager ___ af opvasken.
The subject is 'Jeg', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'mig'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'He takes care of the dog'?
It requires the reflexive 'sig' and the preposition 'af'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Der er ingen kaffe tilbage!' B: 'Bare rolig, jeg ___ ___ ___ det.'
While the others are possible, 'tager mig af' is the most natural way to claim the task.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'Kommunen tager sig af de ældre.'
This describes the role of a public institution.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg tager ___ af opvasken.
The subject is 'Jeg', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'mig'.
How do you say 'He takes care of the dog'?
It requires the reflexive 'sig' and the preposition 'af'.
A: 'Der er ingen kaffe tilbage!' B: 'Bare rolig, jeg ___ ___ ___ det.'
While the others are possible, 'tager mig af' is the most natural way to claim the task.
Sentence: 'Kommunen tager sig af de ældre.'
This describes the role of a public institution.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, that is 'at tage tøjet af'. Notice the 'sig' is missing.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'At passe' is more about watching (like a babysitter), while 'at tage sig af' is about the whole responsibility.
No, that sounds weird. You don't 'take care of' sleeping; you just sleep.
Use 'tog'. 'Jeg tog mig af det i går.'
Yes, for this specific meaning, 'af' is mandatory.
Yes, 'at tage sig af hunden' is very common.
Not exactly. It means to 'care for' (provide for). 'At holde af' means to care about/like someone.
Yes, 'at tage sig af et problem' is perfect.
Yes, often in ballads about looking after a loved one.
There isn't a direct opposite phrase, but 'at ignorere' (to ignore) or 'at lade ligge' (to leave be) are functional opposites.
No, that is 'at tage en pause'.
Related Phrases
at sørge for
similarto ensure/make sure
at varetage
specialized formto manage/handle (formal)
at passe på
similarto look after/watch out for
at ordne
synonymto fix/arrange
at tage hånd om
similarto take hand about
