Bedeutung
Too complex to explain now.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Danes value their privacy and 'hygge'. Bringing up heavy or long personal stories in a light social setting can 'ødelægge hyggen' (ruin the coziness). In Greenlandic-Danish culture, storytelling is a huge part of identity. Using this phrase might actually lead to someone saying 'Vi har masser af tid!' (We have plenty of time!). Efficiency is key. If you use this phrase in a meeting, it's often a signal to move to the next agenda item. Younger Danes often use the English version 'It's a long story' even when speaking Danish, due to the influence of American media.
The 'Længere' Trick
Use 'Det er en længere historie' to sound 50% more like a native Dane instantly.
Don't be too mysterious
If you use this phrase too much, people might think you are hiding something serious!
Bedeutung
Too complex to explain now.
The 'Længere' Trick
Use 'Det er en længere historie' to sound 50% more like a native Dane instantly.
Don't be too mysterious
If you use this phrase too much, people might think you are hiding something serious!
The Pivot
Always follow this phrase with a question to the other person to keep the conversation flowing.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Hvorfor har du en hund nu? Det ___ ___ lang ___.
The standard phrase is 'Det er en lang historie'.
Match the situation to the best response.
Situation: Someone asks about your complicated divorce at a loud party.
This phrase is perfect for avoiding personal topics in social settings.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: Hvordan lærte du at tale så godt dansk? B: ________, men jeg har boet her i ti år.
Learning a language over ten years is definitely a 'long story'.
Which variation is most common among native speakers to sound 'softer'?
Det er en ____ historie.
The comparative 'længere' is very common and sounds very natural.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Det er en lang historie'
Social
- • Ex-partners
- • Old friends
- • Parties
Practical
- • Running late
- • Missing items
- • Travel delays
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenHvorfor har du en hund nu? Det ___ ___ lang ___.
The standard phrase is 'Det er en lang historie'.
Situation: Someone asks about your complicated divorce at a loud party.
This phrase is perfect for avoiding personal topics in social settings.
A: Hvordan lærte du at tale så godt dansk? B: ________, men jeg har boet her i ti år.
Learning a language over ten years is definitely a 'long story'.
Det er en ____ historie.
The comparative 'længere' is very common and sounds very natural.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
5 FragenNo, it's generally considered polite. It's a way to spare the listener from a tedious explanation.
You can, but it's not a common idiom. Usually, you'd just tell the story if it's short.
'Historie' is the standard word for story/history. 'Fortælling' is more like a 'narrative' or 'tale'.
Yes, it works well in informal or semi-formal emails to skip over unnecessary details.
Yes, but since 'historie' is common gender (en), it stays 'lang'. If it were a neuter noun, it would be 'langt'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Kort fortalt
contrastBriefly told / In short
Det er en anden historie
similarThat's another story
At stikke en plade
specialized formTo tell a lie/tall tale
Der var engang
builds onOnce upon a time
