Meaning
Expressing shock at a situation.
Cultural Background
Danes often use this phrase to complain about the weather. It's a way of bonding through shared 'suffering' during the long winters. In general, Scandinavian cultures value modesty. Using this phrase allows one to express shock without being too 'loud' or 'dramatic'. In a Danish office, you might hear this if a project is suddenly delayed or if a result is surprisingly good. It's neutral enough for professional settings. Danish influencers use this phrase constantly in captions to generate 'hype' or engagement around surprising content.
Add 'hvor' for impact
To sound more natural, follow the phrase with 'hvor' (how) and an adjective, like 'hvor smukt' or 'hvor dyrt'.
Watch the 'at'
Don't forget the 'at'. 'Det er ikke til tro' is a common mistake for English speakers.
Meaning
Expressing shock at a situation.
Add 'hvor' for impact
To sound more natural, follow the phrase with 'hvor' (how) and an adjective, like 'hvor smukt' or 'hvor dyrt'.
Watch the 'at'
Don't forget the 'at'. 'Det er ikke til tro' is a common mistake for English speakers.
The Sarcastic Twist
You can use this sarcastically when something very predictable happens (like a train being late). It shows you've mastered Danish humor.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
Det er ikke ___ ___ tro, hvor koldt det er!
The fixed construction is 'til at' followed by the infinitive.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the right reaction to a surprise.
Option B is correct because it uses the infinitive 'tro' and includes the necessary 'til at'.
Match the situation with the best use of the phrase.
Situation: You see a car flying in the sky.
A flying car is a major shock, making this the perfect reaction.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Jeg har lige fundet 1000 kroner på gaden! B: ______
Finding money is a surprising event that warrants disbelief.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDet er ikke ___ ___ tro, hvor koldt det er!
The fixed construction is 'til at' followed by the infinitive.
Choose the right reaction to a surprise.
Option B is correct because it uses the infinitive 'tro' and includes the necessary 'til at'.
Situation: You see a car flying in the sky.
A flying car is a major shock, making this the perfect reaction.
A: Jeg har lige fundet 1000 kroner på gaden! B: ______
Finding money is a surprising event that warrants disbelief.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! It's perfect for both good and bad news. If you win the lottery, it's 'ikke til at tro'. If you lose your keys, it's also 'ikke til at tro'.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend.
'Tro' is the infinitive (to believe), and 'tror' is the present tense (believes). In this phrase, you must use the infinitive.
Yes, adding 'på' (in/on) makes it slightly more specific, like 'It's not to be believed in', but the short version is more common for general shock.
'Det er løgn' is much more informal. Use it with friends, but avoid it in professional settings.
Just change 'er' to 'var': 'Det var ikke til at tro'.
In Danish, 'til' is part of a special construction that expresses if something is possible or available to be done.
If you say 'Han er ikke til at tro', it means he is a liar. Usually, we use 'Det' to talk about the situation.
Yes, it's used all over Denmark, from Copenhagen to the smallest towns in Jutland.
Yes, the meaning is almost identical, but the Danish structure is more like 'It is not to be believed'.
Related Phrases
Det er løgn
synonymThat's a lie (No way!)
Det er helt utroligt
similarIt is completely unbelievable
Hold da op
similarWow / Good heavens
Det er ikke til at vide
builds onThere's no way of knowing
