Meaning
Doing very well.
Cultural Background
Danes value 'overskud' (mental surplus). Being 'i top' is the ultimate sign of having overskud. In Danish workplaces, 'i top' is used to describe KPIs and quality without sounding too corporate or 'American'. The Danish national handball and football teams are often described as being 'i top' when they perform well internationally. Danish influencers use 'i top' to describe everything from their 'outfit of the day' to their mental health.
Use 'helt' for emphasis
Danes almost always say 'helt i top' to sound more natural and enthusiastic.
Don't use 'på' for quality
Saying 'kvaliteten er på top' sounds like a direct translation from English and is incorrect.
Meaning
Doing very well.
Use 'helt' for emphasis
Danes almost always say 'helt i top' to sound more natural and enthusiastic.
Don't use 'på' for quality
Saying 'kvaliteten er på top' sounds like a direct translation from English and is incorrect.
Test Yourself
Udfyld den manglende præposition.
Min energi er _____ top i dag!
Den faste vending er 'i top'.
Hvilken sætning er mest naturlig?
Du vil rose en vens nye bil.
'Helt i top' er en meget almindelig måde at give ros på.
Færdiggør dialogen.
A: Hvordan gik din jobsamtale? B: Det gik vildt godt! Min selvtillid var _____
Når noget går 'vildt godt', må selvtilliden være 'i top'.
Match situationen med det rigtige udtryk.
Du har lige løbet 10 km og føler dig fantastisk.
Både 'i top' og 'i topform' kan bruges, men 'i top' er det generelle udtryk for kvaliteten af din tilstand.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMin energi er _____ top i dag!
Den faste vending er 'i top'.
Du vil rose en vens nye bil.
'Helt i top' er en meget almindelig måde at give ros på.
A: Hvordan gik din jobsamtale? B: Det gik vildt godt! Min selvtillid var _____
Når noget går 'vildt godt', må selvtilliden være 'i top'.
Du har lige løbet 10 km og føler dig fantastisk.
Både 'i top' og 'i topform' kan bruges, men 'i top' er det generelle udtryk for kvaliteten af din tilstand.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but usually to describe their mood, form, or performance, not their personality in general. 'Han er i top' sounds like he is doing well right now.
Yes, it's very common to say 'Kvaliteten skal være i top' in professional emails regarding projects.
'I top' is general (mood, quality, energy), while 'i topform' is specifically about being physically or mentally ready for a peak performance.
It's colloquial/informal, but so widely used that it's barely considered slang anymore. It's safe for most situations.
You would say 'ikke i top' or 'ikke helt i top'. For example: 'Min energi er ikke helt i top i dag.'
Only if you mean literally at the top of something, like 'i toppen af træet' (in the top of the tree).
No, 'i top' is an invariable phrase. 'De er i top' is correct.
It is used equally across all of Denmark.
Absolutely. 'Smagen er i top' is a great compliment for a chef.
The opposite would be 'i bund' (at the bottom), but it's less common. Usually, people say 'helt skidt' or 'dårlig'.
Related Phrases
at være på toppen
similarTo be at the peak of one's health or happiness.
at være i sit es
similarTo be in one's element.
at være i topform
specialized formTo be in peak physical or mental condition.
toppen af poppen
builds onThe best of the best.
