Signification
Request for assistance.
Contexte culturel
Danes value 'selvstændighed' (independence). Asking for help is fine, but using 'lidt' shows you've tried yourself first. In Greenlandic Danish, the tone might be even more indirect. Silence often precedes a request as a sign of respect. Danish offices are very flat. You can use this phrase with your boss without any problem. It is common to say 'Tak for hjælpen' (Thanks for the help) even if the person only helped for 5 seconds.
The Power of 'Lidt'
Always include 'lidt'. It's the magic word that makes Danes want to help you.
Don't shout
Danes prefer a low, calm volume. Shouting for help is for emergencies only.
Signification
Request for assistance.
The Power of 'Lidt'
Always include 'lidt'. It's the magic word that makes Danes want to help you.
Don't shout
Danes prefer a low, calm volume. Shouting for help is for emergencies only.
Add 'Lige'
For even more native flavor, say 'Kan du ikke LIGE hjælpe mig lidt?'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the request polite.
Kan du hjælpe mig ____?
'Lidt' is the standard softener for requests in Danish.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a colleague for help?
Choose the best option:
The question form with 'lidt' is the most polite and natural.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Undskyld, kan du hjælpe mig lidt? B: Ja, hvad ____?
'Hvad kan jeg hjælpe med?' is the standard response to a request for help.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and need help moving a table.
This is the perfect neutral-informal request for a physical task.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesKan du hjælpe mig ____?
'Lidt' is the standard softener for requests in Danish.
Choose the best option:
The question form with 'lidt' is the most polite and natural.
A: Undskyld, kan du hjælpe mig lidt? B: Ja, hvad ____?
'Hvad kan jeg hjælpe med?' is the standard response to a request for help.
Situation: You are at a friend's house and need help moving a table.
This is the perfect neutral-informal request for a physical task.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in Denmark it is perfectly fine. If you want to be extra polite, use 'Kunne du...'.
'Lidt' is more common in speech. 'En smule' is slightly more formal or precise.
Say 'Ja, selvfølgelig!' (Yes, of course!) or 'Hvad kan jeg hjælpe med?' (What can I help with?).
Yes, it means 'Will you help me a bit?'. It's very common and slightly more direct.
It's a historical remnant. In modern Danish, 'hj' is always pronounced as a 'j' sound.
Yes, but start with 'Undskyld' (Excuse me) to be polite.
Yes, but for formal emails, 'Jeg skriver for at høre, om du kan hjælpe mig...' is better.
Still start with 'lidt'. You can explain the details later. It's about the initial approach.
Literally yes, but pragmatically it just means 'I am being polite'.
Yes: 'Kan I hjælpe mig lidt?' (Can you [plural] help me a bit?).
Expressions liées
Giv en hånd
similarGive a hand
Gør mig en tjeneste
builds onDo me a favor
Vær så snill
similarBe so kind (Please)
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