Meaning
Expressing a state of fatigue.
Cultural Background
Danes are very direct about their energy levels. It is not considered rude to say you are tired and want to go home early from a social event. In Greenlandic Danish, 'træt' can sometimes carry a heavier connotation of physical exhaustion from the elements (cold/wind). There is a high focus on 'work-life balance'. Being 'træt' at the end of the day is seen as a natural result of a productive day, not a weakness. The concept of 'vintertræthed' is widely discussed in media and health circles, referring to the seasonal affective disorder caused by dark winters.
Plural Check
Always check if you are talking about one person or more. 'Vi er trætte' is a very common marker of a good student!
Træt vs Træls
Don't tell your boss 'Jeg er træls' unless you want to admit you are an annoying person.
Meaning
Expressing a state of fatigue.
Plural Check
Always check if you are talking about one person or more. 'Vi er trætte' is a very common marker of a good student!
Træt vs Træls
Don't tell your boss 'Jeg er træls' unless you want to admit you are an annoying person.
Honesty is Key
In Denmark, it's okay to be træt. You don't have to pretend to be high-energy all the time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'træt'.
Vi har gået hele dagen, så vi er meget ______.
Because the subject 'Vi' (We) is plural, you must add '-e' to the adjective.
Which sentence means 'I am tired of the rain'?
Choose the correct translation:
The expression 'tired of' always uses the preposition 'af' and the verb 'er'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi se en film? B: Nej, ______.
In the context of declining a movie, 'jeg er træt' is the most logical reason.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You have worked for 12 hours and can't keep your eyes open.
'Meget træt' (very tired) fits the situation of extreme fatigue.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of 'Træt'
Physical
- • Efter sport
- • Efter arbejde
- • Sent om natten
Mental
- • Træt i hovedet
- • Efter eksamen
- • For meget info
Emotional
- • Træt af regn
- • Træt af brok
- • Træt af ventetid
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVi har gået hele dagen, så vi er meget ______.
Because the subject 'Vi' (We) is plural, you must add '-e' to the adjective.
Choose the correct translation:
The expression 'tired of' always uses the preposition 'af' and the verb 'er'.
A: Skal vi se en film? B: Nej, ______.
In the context of declining a movie, 'jeg er træt' is the most logical reason.
You have worked for 12 hours and can't keep your eyes open.
'Meget træt' (very tired) fits the situation of extreme fatigue.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, use 'slidt' or 'gammel'. 'Træt' is for people and animals.
'Træt' is general fatigue, 'søvnig' means you are about to fall asleep.
It is very informal. Use it with friends, but not with your grandmother or boss.
You say 'Jeg er træt af dig'. Use it sparingly!
No. It is 'en træt mand' and 'et træt barn'. Only plural changes to 'trætte'.
Literally 'metal fatigue', but often used metaphorically for burnout in an organization.
No, that is a common mistake. Always use 'Jeg er træt'.
Yes, it's a staple of Danish 'Nordic Noir' where detectives are always exhausted.
Use 'meget' (very), 'rigtig' (really), or 'helt' (completely).
The most common opposite is 'frisk' (fresh/energetic).
Related Phrases
udmattet
synonymexhausted
søvnig
similarsleepy
træt af
builds ontired of
dødtræt
specialized formdead tired
frisk
contrastfresh/energetic
