Meaning
Starting a process.
Cultural Background
Danes often use this phrase to be polite when they are running late. It sounds more active than just saying 'I'm coming.' In Greenlandic Danish, this phrase might be used more literally regarding travel due to the vast distances and reliance on boats/planes. In Danish startups, 'på vej' is a buzzword for growth and scaling. On Danish Instagram, #påvej is used for travel photos or showing progress on a DIY project.
Use 'lige' for extra speed
Add 'lige' (Jeg er lige på vej til at...) to sound like a native speaker who is very busy.
Don't forget the 'at'
Without 'at', the sentence will sound incomplete to a Dane.
Meaning
Starting a process.
Use 'lige' for extra speed
Add 'lige' (Jeg er lige på vej til at...) to sound like a native speaker who is very busy.
Don't forget the 'at'
Without 'at', the sentence will sound incomplete to a Dane.
The 'Danish Minute'
Saying 'Jeg er på vej' when you are still at home is a common white lie in Denmark!
Abstract subjects
You can use this for things like 'The sun is about to set' (Solen er på vej til at gå ned).
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to say 'I am about to eat.'
Jeg ___ ___ ___ ___ at spise.
The full phrase is 'er på vej til at'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct one:
You need 'på', 'at', and the infinitive 'købe'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Kommer du snart? B: Ja, jeg ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ud af døren.
This is the standard way to say you are leaving now.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'Vejret er på vej til at blive bedre.'
This describes a change in the weather.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Imminence in Danish
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg ___ ___ ___ ___ at spise.
The full phrase is 'er på vej til at'.
Choose the correct one:
You need 'på', 'at', and the infinitive 'købe'.
A: Kommer du snart? B: Ja, jeg ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ud af døren.
This is the standard way to say you are leaving now.
Sentence: 'Vejret er på vej til at blive bedre.'
This describes a change in the weather.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! You can say 'Jeg er på vej til at blive syg' (I am about to get sick).
It is neutral and can be used in almost any context.
'Skal' is a general future, while 'på vej til at' implies the process has started.
Yes, 'Jeg var på vej til at...' means 'I was about to...'.
'Undervejs' is more formal and usually refers to physical transport.
Yes, 'at' must be followed by an infinitive verb.
No, you must say 'Jeg er på vej hjem' (no 'til at') because 'hjem' is a direction.
Use 'Jeg er på vej til butikken' (no 'at' or verb).
Yes, very common in journalism and business reports.
Not necessarily. It can be purely metaphorical for a process.
Related Phrases
lige ved at
synonymjust about to
i færd med at
similarin the middle of
skal til at
similargoing to start
på nippet til
specialized formon the verge of
at være undervejs
similarto be underway
