Meaning
to be close to discovery
Cultural Background
The phrase is a staple of 'Nordic Noir' crime dramas like 'The Bridge' (Broen). It reflects the methodical nature of Danish police work. In Danish universities, being 'på sporet' is a common way to describe the early stages of a breakthrough without over-promising. Denmark has a strong hunting culture. Many idioms, including this one, come from the forest and are understood by all generations. Danish startups often use this phrase when talking to investors to show they have 'product-market fit' or are close to it.
The 'Aha' Moment
Use 'komme på sporet af' to describe the exact second you realized the answer.
Preposition Trap
Never use 'i' or 'til'. It is always 'på' and 'af'.
Meaning
to be close to discovery
The 'Aha' Moment
Use 'komme på sporet af' to describe the exact second you realized the answer.
Preposition Trap
Never use 'i' or 'til'. It is always 'på' and 'af'.
Sound like a Native
In professional emails, use this to show progress without being too boastful.
Nordic Noir
Listen for this phrase in Danish TV shows—it's used in almost every episode of 'The Killing'.
Test Yourself
Udfyld den manglende præposition.
Vi er endelig ______ sporet af en løsning.
Det hedder altid 'på sporet af'.
Hvilken sætning er korrekt?
Vælg den rigtige form af udtrykket.
Du skal bruge bestemt form 'sporet' og præpositionen 'af'.
Hvad svarer detektiven?
Journalist: 'Har I fundet tyven?' Detektiv: 'Ikke endnu, men...'
Dette er det mest naturlige svar i en efterforskning.
Match situationen med det rigtige udtryk.
Du leder efter en fejl i en kode og begynder at forstå problemet.
'På sporet' betyder du gør fremskridt. 'På spanden' betyder du er i problemer.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Track vs. Trail
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi er endelig ______ sporet af en løsning.
Det hedder altid 'på sporet af'.
Vælg den rigtige form af udtrykket.
Du skal bruge bestemt form 'sporet' og præpositionen 'af'.
Journalist: 'Har I fundet tyven?' Detektiv: 'Ikke endnu, men...'
Dette er det mest naturlige svar i en efterforskning.
Du leder efter en fejl i en kode og begynder at forstå problemet.
'På sporet' betyder du gør fremskridt. 'På spanden' betyder du er i problemer.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it's very common for finding suspects or missing persons.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
'Et spor' is a track/clue. 'En sti' is a physical path or trail in the woods.
Yes, it means 'I'm on the right track' generally.
Not usually. In sports, we use 'at være godt med' or 'at have kurs mod sejren'.
Yes! 'På sporet af en fejl i koden' is very common.
It implies high probability, but not 100% certainty.
You say 'Jeg har mistet sporet'.
No, they have different etymological roots.
No, use 'at have færten af' for literal or figurative smells.
Yes, it often appears in B2/C1 Danish exams (Prøve i Dansk 3).
At være på sporene af... (but the singular 'sporet' is much more common in the idiom).
Related Phrases
at have færten af
similarTo have the scent of something.
at komme på sporet af
builds onTo find the trail for the first time.
at være på vildspor
contrastTo be on a false trail / lost.
at bringe nogen på sporet
specialized formTo put someone on the right track.
at slette sine spor
similarTo cover one's tracks.
