Bedeutung
Used to describe very windy weather conditions.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Wind is considered the 'Danish mountain.' Because the country is flat, the wind is the primary resistance for cyclists, making it a constant topic of conversation and complaint. In the Faroe Islands (part of the Kingdom of Denmark), the wind is even more extreme. While they use the idiom, they might find a 'half pelican' to be just a normal Tuesday. Many Danish idioms come from the sea. This reflects the nation's history as a seafaring people where understanding the wind was a matter of life and death. In cities like Copenhagen, 'wind tunnels' between tall buildings often prompt people to use this phrase even if the general weather isn't that bad.
Use it for empathy
If someone arrives late and looks wind-swept, use this phrase to show you understand their struggle. It's a great social lubricant.
Don't over-analyze
Don't ask why it's 'half' a pelican. There is no logical answer, and asking makes you sound like a textbook, not a speaker.
Bedeutung
Used to describe very windy weather conditions.
Use it for empathy
If someone arrives late and looks wind-swept, use this phrase to show you understand their struggle. It's a great social lubricant.
Don't over-analyze
Don't ask why it's 'half' a pelican. There is no logical answer, and asking makes you sound like a textbook, not a speaker.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Hold da op, det blæser en halv _______!
The correct animal in this Danish idiom is a pelican.
Which sentence is the most natural way to describe a very windy day to a friend?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
This is the standard idiomatic form.
Match the situation to the correct expression.
Situation: You are cycling uphill against a strong wind.
This idiom is perfect for describing the struggle of cycling in heavy wind.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi gå en tur ved stranden? B: Nej, ikke i dag. _______
The idiom provides a reason for not wanting to go to the beach.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHold da op, det blæser en halv _______!
The correct animal in this Danish idiom is a pelican.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
This is the standard idiomatic form.
Situation: You are cycling uphill against a strong wind.
This idiom is perfect for describing the struggle of cycling in heavy wind.
A: Skal vi gå en tur ved stranden? B: Nej, ikke i dag. _______
The idiom provides a reason for not wanting to go to the beach.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, 'en hel pelikan' is used for even stronger winds, but 'en halv' is the most common version.
Not at all. It's a friendly, slightly funny way to talk about the weather.
Yes, although it's a bit 'dad-joke' style, it's widely understood and used across all ages.
It is specific to the Danish language, though Norwegians and Swedes might understand it due to linguistic similarity.
No, it is strictly for wind. For rain, use 'Det regner skomagerdrenge'.
Most likely a corruption of the word 'peling' (bearing), but now it's just a funny image.
No, it's informal. Use it with friends, not in a legal contract.
No, that's not a standard idiom and people might not understand you.
Yes, especially in children's books or realistic fiction set in Denmark.
Yes, the verb 'blæse' is essential to the idiom.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Det stormer
similarIt is storming.
Stiv kuling
specialized formStrong gale.
Vindstille
contrastNo wind at all.
Det blæser en hel pelikan
builds onIt is blowing a whole pelican.
