Meaning
Requesting someone to cease.
Cultural Background
Danes value 'hygge' and social harmony. 'Hold op' is often used to stop behavior that threatens this harmony, but it's also used ironically to show closeness. In Greenlandic Danish, 'hold op' is used similarly, but the tone might be more direct or accompanied by specific facial expressions common in Inuit culture. Faroese speakers of Danish use 'hold op' frequently, though they have their own Faroese equivalent 'hald upp'. Learners often find 'Hold op' too aggressive at first, but they soon realize it's a vital part of sounding like a local in casual settings.
Add 'nu'
Adding 'nu' (Hold nu op) makes you sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Tone matters
A sharp 'Hold op!' is a command. A long 'Hooooold nu op' is an expression of disbelief.
Meaning
Requesting someone to cease.
Add 'nu'
Adding 'nu' (Hold nu op) makes you sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Tone matters
A sharp 'Hold op!' is a command. A long 'Hooooold nu op' is an expression of disbelief.
The 'med' rule
Always remember 'med' if you follow it with a verb. It's the most common learner mistake.
Compliments
If a Dane compliments you, a modest 'Ej, hold nu op' is a very common and polite response.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to tell someone to stop shouting.
Hold op ___ at råbe!
The preposition 'med' is always used after 'hold op' when followed by an action.
Which sentence means 'I have stopped smoking'?
Choose the correct sentence:
Danish uses 'er' (to be) for the perfect tense of 'hold op' because it indicates a change of state.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Your friend tells you they just met the Queen.
'Hold nu op!' is the most common way to express disbelief or 'No way!'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Prøv at se min nye bil! B: Ej, ______, hvor er den flot!
In this context, 'hold op' is used to express admiration and surprise.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Hold op vs. Stop
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHold op ___ at råbe!
The preposition 'med' is always used after 'hold op' when followed by an action.
Choose the correct sentence:
Danish uses 'er' (to be) for the perfect tense of 'hold op' because it indicates a change of state.
Situation: Your friend tells you they just met the Queen.
'Hold nu op!' is the most common way to express disbelief or 'No way!'.
A: Prøv at se min nye bil! B: Ej, ______, hvor er den flot!
In this context, 'hold op' is used to express admiration and surprise.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be, depending on your tone. To a child or a close friend, it's fine. To a stranger or boss, it's too direct.
'Stop' is for physical movement (cars, running). 'Hold op' is for actions or behaviors (talking, smoking).
Yes, you can use a noun after 'med', but 'at ryge' (the verb) is more common.
It's used to express shock or disbelief at something good, like 'No way!'.
You say 'Bliv ved' or 'Ikke holde op'.
Only literally. Idiomatically, 'Hold up' in English usually means 'Wait', which is 'Vent' in Danish.
Yes, in standard Danish, the 'd' in 'hold' is never pronounced.
No, for a machine you would say 'Sluk' (turn off) or 'Stop'.
It's a more forceful version, often used by parents when they are losing patience.
The past tense is 'holdt op'. Example: 'Han holdt op i går'.
Related Phrases
Hold inde
similarTo stop or keep something in
Hold kæft
specialized formShut up
Lade være
synonymTo let be / stop
Hør her
contrastListen here
Slut prut
informalThat's it / End of story
